Bible Commentaries
Acts 7

Verse 1

Are these things so = If ( App-118 . a) these things are so.

Verse 2

Men. App-123 . Compare Acts 1:11 .

God. App-98 .

glory. See p. 1511. This is the genitive of character. App-17 . Compare Psalms 29:3 , and note the seven other similar expressions, "the God of comfort" (Romans 15:5 . 2 Corinthians 1:3 ), "hope" (Romans 15:13 ), "love" (2 Corinthians 13:11 ), "patience" (Romans 15:5 ), "peace" (Romans 15:33 , &c), " all grace" (1 Peter 5:10 ), and "truth" (Deuteronomy 32:4 , &c).

appeared unto = was seen by. Greek. optomai. App-106 .

dwelt = settled. Greek. katoikeo. See note on Acts 2:6 .

Charran = Haran (Genesis 11:31 ).

Verse 3

unto. Greek. pros. App-104 .

country = land. Greek. ge. App-129 .

from = out of. Greek. ek, as above.

kindred. Greek. sungeneia. Only here, Acts 7:14 , and Luke 1:61 .

come = hither. Greek. deuro.

land. Greek. ge, as above.

Verse 4

when = after that. Greek. meta. App-104 . It was Abraham, not Terah, who had been called (Genesis 12:1 ), and therefore Terah could get no farther than Haran. There was a long sojourn in Haran of twenty-five years. See App-50 . pp Act 51:52 .

removed him. Greek. metoikizo = to cause to change one's abode. Only here and Acts 7:43 . In the Septuagint in 1 Chronicles 5:6 . Amos 5:27 , &c. wherein = into (Greek. eis . App-104 .) which, i.e. into which ye came and now dwell there.

Verse 5

none = not (Greek. ou. App-105 ) any.

no, not, &c. = not even (Greek. oude) . Figure of speech Epitasis. App-6 .

to set his foot on = a place (Greek. bema . See note on John 19:13 ) for a foot.

promised. Reference to Genesis 13:15 .

possession. Greek. kataschesis. Only here and Acts 7:45 .

no = not any, as above.

child. Greek. teknon. App-108 .

Verse 6

spake. Greek. laleo. App-121 . Quoted from Genesis 15:13 , Genesis 15:14 .

sojourn = be a stranger. Greek. paroikos. Here, Acts 7:29 . Ephesians 2:19 . 1 Peter 2:11 . The verb paroikeo, only in Luke 24:18 . Hebrews 11:9 .

strange = foreign. Greek. allotrios. App-124 .

bring them into bondage = enslave them. Greek. douloo. App-190 .

entreat them evil = wrong them. Greek. kakoo . Compare App-128 . Here, Acts 7:19 ; Acts 12:1 ; Acts 14:2 ; Acts 18:10 . 1 Peter 3:13 .

four hundred years. See note on Exodus 12:40 .

Verse 7

nation. Greek. ethnos. See note on Acts 4:25 , Acts 4:27 .

to whom, &c. = whom they shall serve. Greek. douleuo. App-190 .

judge. Greek. krino. App-122 .

that = these things.

serve = worship. Greek. latreuo. App-137 . Compare Exodus 3:12 .

Verse 8

covenant. Greek. diatheke. See note on Matthew 26:28 .

patriarchs. See note on Acts 2:29 .

Verse 9

moved with envy = being jealous. Greek. zeloo. Compare the noun zelos, Acts 5:17 .

Verse 10

delivered. Greek. exaireo. Here, Acts 7:34 ; Acts 12:11 ; Acts 23:27 ; Acts 26:17 . Matthew 5:29 ; Matthew 18:9 . Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:4 .

afflictions = tribulations. Greek. thlipsis. Compare Psalms 105:17-19 .

favour = grace. Greek. charis. App-184 .

in the sight of = before. Greek. enantion.

Verse 11

the land of. Omit.

sustenance. Greek. chortasma. Only here. Compare the verb chortazo = to fill. First occurance Matthew 5:6 .

Verse 12

corn. Greek. sita , an irregular plural of sitos, the word used elsewhere in N.T. and Septuagint. The texts read sitia, from sition, a word much used by medical writers.

sent out. Greek. exapostello. App-174 .

first = the first time.

Verse 13

at = in. Greek. en. App-104 .

made known. Greek. anagnorizomai. Only here. Compare App-132 .

kindred = race. Greek. genos.

was made known = became (Greek. ginomai) manifest (Greek. phaneros. App-106 .) See Genesis 45:16 .

unto = to.

Verse 14

sent. Greek. apostello. App-174 .

called . . . to him. Greek. metakaleomai. Here, Acts 10:32 ; Acts 20:17 ; Acts 24:25 . meta in composition expresses the idea of change.

threescore, &c. This included Jacob's kindred. See note on Genesis 46:26 .

souls. Greek. psuche . App-110 .

Verse 15

died = came to his end. Greek. teleutao.

Verse 16

carried over = removed. Greek. metatithemi. Only here; Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:6 . Hebrews 7:12 ; Hebrews 11:5 , Hebrews 11:6 . Jude 1:4 .

Sychem = Shechem (Genesis 50:5 ). See App-187 .

sepulchre. Greek. mnema. See note on Acts 2:29 .

bought. Greek. oneomai. Only here.

of = from. Greek. para .

sons. Greek. huios. App-108 .

Verse 17

when = as soon as.

promise. Greek. epangelia. See note on Acts 1:4 .

people. Greek. laos. See note on Acts 2:47 .

Verse 18

another. Greek. heteros. App-124 .

king. See App-188 .

arose. Greek. anistemi. App-178 .

knew. Greek. oida. App-132 .

Verse 19

The same = This one.

dealt subtilly with. Greek. katasophizomai. Only here. In Septuagint "deal wisely", Exodus 1:10 .

cast out = caused to he exposed (Greek. ekthetos. Only here).

young children = babes. Greek. brephos. App-108 .

to the end. Greek. eis.

live = be born alive, or preserved alive. Greek. zoogoneo. Only here and Luke 17:33 . See also 1 Timothy 6:13 . In Septuagint in Exodus 1:17 , Exodus 1:18 , Exodus 1:22 , &c.

Verse 20

Moses. See note on Acts 8:22 .

exceeding fair = fair to God. Figure of speech Idioma. App-6 .

fair. Greek. asteios. Only here and Hebrews 11:23 . The word used in Exodus 2:2 , Septuagint

nourished up. Greek. anatrepho. Only here, Acts 7:21 with Acts 22:3 . A word common in medical writers.

Verse 21

cast out. Greek. ektithemi, verb of ekthetos, in Acts 7:19 . Only here, Acts 11:4 ; Acts 18:26 ; Acts 28:23 .

took . . . up. Greek. anaireo. Generally translated "kill", i.e. take away (by death). See Acts 7:28 ; Acts 2:23 ; Acts 5:33 , Acts 5:36 , &c.

her own son = a son for herself.

Verse 22

learned = educated. Greek. paideuo.

in all, &c. This included the mysteries of the Egyptian religion, as all education was in the hands of the priests.

words. Greek. logos. App-121 .

deeds = works. Figure of speech Syntheton. App-6 .

Verse 23

he was, &c. Literally a period (Greek. chronos) of forty years (Greek. tessarakontaetes. Only here and Acts 13:18 ) was fulfilled. Greek. pleroo. App-125 .

into = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .

visit. Greek. episkeptomai. App-133 .

children = sons. Greek. huios as in Acts 7:16 .

Verse 24

seeing. Greek. eidon. App-133 .

suffer wrong = being wronged. Greek. adikeo. Compare App-128 .

defended. Greek. amunomai. Only here.

avenged = took vengeance (Greek. ekdikesis. Here, Luke 18:7 , Luke 18:8 ; Luke 21:22 .Romans 12:19 . 2 Corinthians 7:11 . 2 Thessalonians 1:8 . Hebrews 10:30 . 1 Peter 2:14 ) for.

him that was oppressed = the oppressed one. Greek. kataponeomai. Only here and 2 Peter 2:7 .

and smote = having smitten.

Verse 25

would have. Omit.

deliver them = give them salvation.

Verse 26

next = following. Greek. epeimi. Only here, Acts 16:11 ; Acts 20:15 ; Acts 21:18 ; Acts 23:11 . See note on Matthew 6:11 .

shewed himself. Greek. optomai, as in Acts 7:2 .

strove = fought. Greek. machomai. Only here, Joh 6:52 . 2 Timothy 2:24 .James 4:2 .

would have set them = was driving them together. Greek. sunelauno. Only here. But the texts read "was reconciling them", Greek. sunallasso.

at one = into (Greek. eis. App-104 .) peace.

again. Omit.

Sirs = Men. Greek. aner. App-123 . The plural andres is translated "Sirs" six times, all in Acts, here, Acts 14:15 ; Acts 19:25 ; Acts 27:10 , Acts 27:21 , Acts 27:25 .

do ye wrong one to another = wrong ye one another. Greek. adikeo, as in Acts 7:24 .

Verse 27

thrust him away. Greek. apotheomai. Only here. Acts 7:39 ; Acts 13:46 . Romans 11:1 , Rom 11:2 ; 1 Timothy 1:19 .

judge. Greek. dikastes. Only here, Acts 7:35 .Luke 12:14 . Compare App-177 .

Verse 28

Wilt thou = Thou dost not ( App-105 ) wish ( App-102 ); me is used with questions, where a negative answer is expected.

kill. Greek. anaireo, as in Acts 7:21 .

diddest = killedst.

Verse 29

saying. Greek. logos, as in Acts 7:22 .

stranger. Greek. paroikos. Same as "sojourn" in Acts 7:6 .

Madian = Midian. See Exodus 2:15 ; Exodus 3:1 .

Verse 30

expired = fulfilled. Greek. pleroo, as in Acts 7:23 .

of the Lord. The texts omit.

of fire in a bush = of a burning bush. Figure of speech Antimereia. App-6 .

Verse 31

sight. Greek. horama. Occurs twelve times, all in Acts, except in Matthew 17:9 . Always trans, "vision", except here. Not the same word as in Acts 2:17 .

behold = inspect, or consider. Greek. katanoeo. App-133 .

the Lord. App-98 .

unto him. The texts omit. The quotations are from Exo 3:32

Verse 32

God. The texts omit the third and fourth occurance of the word in this verse.

trembled = became trembling (Greek. entromos. Only here, Acts 16:29 . Hebrews 12:21 ).

Verse 33

thy shoes, &c. = the sandal of thy feet.

where = in (Greek. en) which, but the texts read epi .

ground. Greek. ge. App-129 .

Verse 34

I have seen, I have seen. A Hebraism. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 . Literally Seeing, I saw.

affliction = wrong. Greek. kakosis . Only here. Compare Kakoo, verses: Acts 7:6 , Acts 7:19 .

groaning. Greek. stenagmos. Only here and Romans 8:26 .

Verse 35

deliverer = redeemer. Greek. lutroes. Only here. Compare lutron, ransom (Matthew 20:28 . Mark 10:45 ); lutroo, redeem (1 Timothy 2:14; 1 Timothy 2:141 Timothy 2:14 . 1 Peter 1:18 ); lutrosis, redemption (Luke 1:68 ; Luke 2:38 . Hebrews 9:12 ).

by = in. Greek. en , but the texts read sun.

Verse 36

He = This one.

shewed . Literally done. See Deuteronomy 31:2 ; Deuteronomy 34:7 .

wonders. Greek. teras . App-176 .

signs. Greek. semeion. App-176 .

Verse 37

that = the.

A Prophet. Quoted from Deuteronomy 18:15 . Compare Acts 3:22 .

your. The texts omit.

raise up. Greek. anistemi. App-178 .

like unto = as.

Him shall ye hear. The texts omit, but not the Syriac.

Verse 38

church. App-186 .

lively = living. Figure of speech Idioma. App-6 .

oracles = utterances. Greek. logion. Only here; Romans 3:2 . Heb 5:12 . 1 Peter 4:11 .

Verse 39

would. App-102 .

obey = be obedient (Greek. hupekoos. Only here; 2 Corinthians 2:9 . Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:8 ).

from them = away.

Verse 40

gods. App-98 .

to go before. Greek. proporeuomai. Only here and Luke 1:76 .

wot = know. App-132 .

is become of = has come (to).

Verse 41

made a calf Greek. moschopoieo, a compound word, meaning "were calf-making" Only here.

idol. Greek. eidolon. The first of eleven occurances. Only word so rendered.

rejoiced = were rejoicing. Greek. euphraino. Same word as in Acts 2:26 .

Verse 42

worship. Same word as "serve" in Acts 7:7 .

host = army. Greek. stratia. Only here and Luke 2:13 .

heaven = the heaven. See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

as = even as.

is = has been.

the = a.

ye . Omit.

have ye offered = did ye offer. This question is introduced by me, as in Acts 7:28 .

slain beasts. Greek. sphagion. Only here. Compare sphage, Acts 8:32 .

Verse 43

Yea, ye = Ye even.

tabernacle. Greek. skene, tent.

Remphan. See notes on Amos 5:25-27 , from which this quotation is taken. It follows the Septuagint very closely. App-107 .

figures. Greek. tupos. See note on John 20:25 (print). Romans 5:14 .

worship. Greek. proskuneo. App-137 .

carry . . . away. Greek. metoikizo, as in Acts 7:4 .

beyond. Greek. epekeina. Only here.

Babylon. Amos says "Damascus". See note there. The stages of captivity were: Syrian, to Damascus; Assyrian, beyond Damascus to Mesopotamia; Babylonian, to Babylon and beyond, and now they were to be carried to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Verse 44

witness = testimony. Greek. marturion, as in Acts 4:33 . See Exodus 25:16 ; Exodus 26:33 ; Exodus 30:6 Revelation 15:5 .

had appointed = arranged.

according to. Greek. kata. App-104 .

fashion Greek. tupos , as in Acts 7:43 .

seen. Greek. horao . App-133 . Compare Exodus 26:30 ; Exodus 27:8 . Hebrews 8:5 .

Verse 45

also. This should he read after "brought in".

came after = received in succession. Greek. diadechomai. Only here. Revised Version "in their turn".

Jesus = Joshua. Compare Hebrews 4:8 . The Hebrew means "Jehovah the Saviour". See note on Joshua 1:1 .

Gentiles. Greek. ethnos, same as nation, Acts 7:7 .

drave out = thrust out. Greek. exotheo. Only here and Acts 27:39 . Compare Acts 7:27 .

before = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .

unto = until. Greek. heos .

David. Like Joseph, David was rejected, and tested by affliction before God gave him deliverance.

Verse 46

before = in the eyes of. Greek. enopion.

desired = asked. Greek. aiteo. App-134 . See 2 Samuel 7:2 , 2 Samuel 7:3 .

tabernacle. Greek. skenoma. Only here and 2 Peter 1:13 , 2 Peter 1:14 . Not the same as in Acts 7:44 . Revised Version reads "habitation". Compare Psalms 132:5 .

Verse 47

Solomon. Stephen does not enlarge upon the history of either David or Solomon, probably because he saw the gathering storm on the faces of his audience.

Verse 48

Howbeit, &c. Read, "But not the Most High in hand-made temples dwelleth". The "not"stands first by Figure of speech Anastrophe. App-6 .

the Most High. Greek. hupsistos. This, as a title of Deity, occurs nine times. See Luke 1:32 .

Temples. The texts omit.

made with hands. Greek. cheiropoietos. Here, Acts 17:34 .Mark 14:58 . Ephesians 2:11 .Hebrews 9:11 , Hebrews 9:24 .

Verse 49

earth. Greek. ge, as in Acts 7:3 .

My footstool = the footstool of my feet, as in Acts 2:35 . Compare Matthew 5:35 , and see note on Matthew 22:44 .

what = what kind of.

rest. Greek. katapausis. Only here; Hebrews 3:11 , Hebrews 3:18 ; Hebrews 4:1 , Hebrews 4:3 , Hebrews 4:3 , Hebrews 4:5 , Hebrews 4:10 , Hebrews 4:11 .

Verse 50

not. Greek. ouchi. App-105 . Freely quoted from Isaiah 66:1 , Isaiah 66:2 .

Verse 51

stiffrieoked. Greek. sklerotrachelos. Only here in NT., but in Sept, in Exodus 33:3 , Exodus 33:5 ; Exo 33:34 , Exodus 33:9 . Deuteronomy 9:6 , Deuteronomy 9:13 . Compare Deuteronomy 31:27 . 2 Chronicles 30:8 . Proverbs 29:1 . This is an instance of Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6 .

uncircumcised. Greek. aperitmetos. Only here.

resist = fall against. Greek. antipipto. Only here.

the Holy Ghost. App-101 . This verse is quoted in support of the idea that men can successfully withstand the Spirit, instead of stumbling at His words. Compare Matthew 21:44 .

Verse 52

have, &c. = did . . . persecute.

have slain = slew.

shewed before. Greek. prokatangello. See Acts 3:18 .

coming. Greek. eleusis. Only here. the Just One. Greek. dikaios. App-191 . Compare Acts 3:14 ; Act 22:14 . 1 John 2:1 .

have been = became.

the. Omit.

betrayers. Greek. prodot e s . Here, Luk 6:16 . 2 Timothy 3:4 .

Verse 53

have. Omit.

by = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .

disposition. Greek. diatage. Only here and Romans 13:2 . The Syriac reads, "by the precept". Compare Acts 7:38 and Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:19 .

have, &c. = guarded it not.

Verse 54

cut. Greek. diapriomai, as in Acts 5:33 .

gnashed, &c. = were gnashing their teeth on him. Greek. brucho Only here. An onomatopoeic word, like brugmos. Matthew 8:12 , &c. Both are medical words.

Verse 55

being. Greek. huparcho. See note on Luke 9:48 .

the Holy Ghost No article. App-101 .

looked up stedfastly. Greek. atenizo. App-133 . He was probably in one of the Temple courts, open to the sky.

Jesus. App-98 .

right hand Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 56

Behold Greek. idou, App-133 .:2. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

see = behold. Greek. theoreo. App-133 .

the heavens. Plural See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

opened. Greek. anoigo, but the texts read " dianoigo ", thrown open.

Son of Man. App-98 . The eighty-fifth occurance. Only here in Acts, and the only place where He is so named by man. In John 12:34 , the Lord's own words are repeated in a question.

Verse 57

loud = great, i.e. the shout of the crowd in indignation.

stopped = held tight. Greek. sunecho. See Luke 4:38 .

ran = rushed.

with one accord. Greek. homothumadon. See note on Acts 1:14 .

Verse 58

out of = without. Greek. exo. Compare Leviticus 24:14 . The charge was blasphemy, as in the case of his Master. Compare Hebrews 13:13 .

stoned him = kept easting stones at him. Greek. lithoboleo. Compare Mark 12:4 .

witnesses. See note on Acts 1:8 . In accordance with the law they had to cast the first stone (Deuteronomy 17:7 ).

young man. Greek. neanias . Only here, Acts 20:9 ; Acts 23:17 , Acts 23:18 , Acts 23:22 . He was probably about thirty-three years of age. Neanias was the next period to neaniskos ( App-108 . x), but the limits are very uncertain.

Saul. Greek. Saulos. Compare Acts 22:20 .

Verse 59

calling upon. There is no Ellipsis of the word God. See Revised Version. Stephen called upon and invoked the Lord.

spirit. App-101 .

Verse 60

kneeled down. Literally "placed the knees", an expression used in Luke ( Act 22:41 ) and Acts (here, Acts 9:40 ; Acts 20:36 ; Acts 21:5 ), and once in Mark (Acts 15:19 ). In the Epistles we read "bow the knee". Ephesians 3:14 .

sin. Greek. hamartia. App-128

to their charge = to them

fell asleep. Greek. koimaomai. App-171 .