Net English TranslationActs 7 =
Stephen’s Defense Before the Council
7

1 Then the high priest said, “Are these things true?”1 2 So he replied,2 “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our forefather3 Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he settled in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Go out from your country and from your relatives, and come to the land I will show you.’4 4 Then he went out from the country of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God5 made him move6 to this country where you now live. 5 He7 did not give any of it to him for an inheritance,8 not even a foot of ground,9 yet God10 promised to give it to him as his possession, and to his descendants after him,11 even though Abraham12 as yet had no child. 6 But God spoke as follows: ‘Your13 descendants will be foreigners14 in a foreign country, whose citizens will enslave them and mistreat them for four hundred years.15 7 But I will punish16 the nation they serve as slaves,’ said God, ‘and after these things they will come out of there17 and worship18 me in this place.’19 8 Then God20 gave Abraham21 the covenant22 of circumcision, and so he became the father of Isaac and circumcised him when he was eight days old,23 and Isaac became the father of24 Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.25 9 The26 patriarchs, because they were jealous of Joseph, sold27 him into Egypt. But28 God was with him, 10 and rescued him from all his troubles, and granted him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made29 him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. 11 Then a famine occurred throughout30 Egypt and Canaan, causing31 great suffering, and our32 ancestors33 could not find food. 12 So when Jacob heard that there was grain34 in Egypt, he sent our ancestors35 there36 the first time. 13 On their second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers again, and Joseph’s family37 became known to Pharaoh. 14 So Joseph sent a message38 and invited39 his father Jacob and all his relatives to come, seventy-five people40 in all. 15 So Jacob went down to Egypt and died there,41 along with our ancestors,42 16 and their bones43 were later moved to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a certain sum of money44 from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

17 “But as the time drew near for God to fulfill the promise he had declared to Abraham,45 the people increased greatly in number46 in Egypt, 18 until another king who did not know about47 Joseph ruled48 over Egypt.49 19 This was the one who exploited50 our people51 and was cruel to our ancestors,52 forcing them to abandon53 their infants so they would die.54 20 At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful55 to God. For56 three months he was brought up in his father’s house, 21 and when he had been abandoned,57 Pharaoh’s daughter adopted58 him and brought him up59 as her own son. 22 So Moses was trained60 in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful61 in his words and deeds. 23 But when he was about forty years old, it entered his mind62 to visit his fellow countrymen63 the Israelites.64 24 When65 he saw one of them being hurt unfairly,66 Moses67 came to his defense68 and avenged the person who was mistreated by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He thought his own people69 would understand that God was delivering them70 through him,71 but they did not understand.72 26 The next day Moses73 saw two men74 fighting, and tried to make peace between75 them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why are you hurting one another?’ 27 But the man who was unfairly hurting his neighbor pushed76 Moses77 aside, saying, ‘Who made78 you a ruler and judge over us? 28 You don’t want to kill me the way you killed the Egyptian yesterday, do you?’79 29 When the man said this,80 Moses fled and became a foreigner81 in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

30 “After82 forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the desert83 of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush.84 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and when he approached to investigate, there came the voice of the Lord, 32 ‘I am the God of your forefathers,85 the God of Abraham, Isaac,86 and Jacob.’87 Moses began to tremble and did not dare to look more closely.88 33 But the Lord said to him, ‘Take the sandals off your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.89 34 I have certainly seen the suffering90 of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them.91 Now92 come, I will send you to Egypt.’93 35 This same94 Moses they had rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge?’95 God sent as both ruler and deliverer96 through the hand of the angel97 who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and miraculous signs98 in the land of Egypt,99 at100 the Red Sea, and in the wilderness101 for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites,102 ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’103 38 This is the man who was in the congregation104 in the wilderness105 with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors,106 and he107 received living oracles108 to give to you.109 39 Our110 ancestors111 were unwilling to obey112 him, but pushed him aside113 and turned back to Egypt in their hearts, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go in front of us, for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt114 – we do not know what has happened to him!’115 41 At116 that time117 they made an idol in the form of a calf,118 brought119 a sacrifice to the idol, and began rejoicing120 in the works of their hands.121 42 But God turned away from them and gave them over122 to worship the host123 of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘It was not to me that you offered slain animals and sacrifices124 forty years in the wilderness, was it,125 house of Israel? 43 But you took along the tabernacle126 of Moloch127 and the star of the128 god Rephan,129 the images you made to worship, but I will deport130 you beyond Babylon.’131 44 Our ancestors132 had the tabernacle133 of testimony in the wilderness,134 just as God135 who spoke to Moses ordered him136 to make it according to the design he had seen. 45 Our137 ancestors138 received possession of it and brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations that God drove out before our ancestors,139 until the time140 of David. 46 He141 found favor142 with143 God and asked that he could144 find a dwelling place145 for the house146 of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built a house147 for him. 48 Yet the Most High148 does not live in houses made by human hands,149 as the prophet says,

49 ‘Heaven is my throne,

and earth is the footstool for my feet.

What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,

or what is my resting place?150

50 Did my hand151 not make all these things?’152

51 “You stubborn153 people, with uncircumcised154 hearts and ears!155 You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, like your ancestors156 did! 52 Which of the prophets did your ancestors157 not persecute?158 They159 killed those who foretold long ago the coming of the Righteous One,160 whose betrayers and murderers you have now become!161 53 You162 received the law by decrees given by angels,163 but you did not obey164 it.”165

Stephen is Killed

54 When they heard these things, they became furious166 and ground their teeth167 at him. 55 But Stephen,168 full169 of the Holy Spirit, looked intently170 toward heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing171 at the right hand of God. 56 “Look!” he said.172 “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they covered their ears,173 shouting out with a loud voice, and rushed at him with one intent. 58 When174 they had driven him out of the city, they began to stone him,175 and the witnesses laid their cloaks176 at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They177 continued to stone Stephen while he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then he fell178 to his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”179 When180 he had said this, he died.181

17:1tn Grk “If it is so concerning these things” (see BDAG 422 s.v. ἔχω 10.a for this use). 27:2tn Grk “said.” 37:2tn Or “ancestor”; Grk “father.” 47:3sn A quotation from Gen 12:1. 57:4tn Grk “he”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 67:4tn The translation “made him move” for the verb μετοικίζω (metoikizw) is given by L&N 85.83. The verb has the idea of “resettling” someone (BDAG 643 s.v.); see v. 43, where it reappears. 77:5tn Grk “And he.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. 87:5tn Grk “He did not give him an inheritance in it.” This could be understood to mean that God did not give something else to Abraham as an inheritance while he was living there. The point of the text is that God did not give any of the land to him as an inheritance, and the translation makes this clear. 97:5tn Grk “a step of a foot” (cf. Deut 2:5). 107:5tn Grk “he”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 117:5sn An allusion to Gen 12:7; 13:15; 15:2, 18; 17:8; 24:7; 48:4. On the theological importance of the promise and to his descendants after him, see Rom 4 and Gal 3. 127:5tn Grk “he”; the referent (Abraham) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 137:6tn Grk “that his”; the discourse switches from indirect to direct with the following verbs. For consistency the entire quotation is treated as second person direct discourse in the translation. 147:6tn Or “will be strangers,” that is, one who lives as a noncitizen of a foreign country. 157:6sn A quotation from Gen 15:13. Exod 12:40 specifies the sojourn as 430 years. 167:7tn BDAG 568 s.v. κρίνω 5.b.α states, “Oft. the emphasis is unmistakably laid upon that which follows the Divine Judge’s verdict, upon the condemnation or punishment: condemn, punish …Ac 7:7 (Gen 15:14).” 177:7tn The words “of there” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.sn A quotation from Gen 15:14. 187:7tn Or “and serve,” but with religious/cultic overtones (BDAG 587 s.v. λατρεύω). 197:7sn An allusion to Exod 3:12. 207:8tn Grk “he”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 217:8tn Grk “him”; the referent (Abraham) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 227:8sn God gave…the covenant. Note how the covenant of promise came before Abraham’s entry into the land and before the building of the temple. 237:8tn Grk “circumcised him on the eighth day,” but many modern readers will not understand that this procedure was done on the eighth day after birth. The temporal clause “when he was eight days old” conveys this idea more clearly. See Gen 17:11-12. 247:8tn The words “became the father of” are not in the Greek text due to an ellipsis, but must be supplied for the English translation. The ellipsis picks up the verb from the previous clause describing how Abraham fathered Isaac. 257:8sn The twelve patriarchs refers to the twelve sons of Jacob, the famous ancestors of the Jewish race (see Gen 35:23-26). 267:9tn Grk “And the.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. 277:9tn The meaning “sell” for the middle voice of ἀποδίδωμι (apodidwmi) is given by BDAG 110 s.v. 5.a. See Gen 37:12-36, esp. v. 28. 287:9tn Though the Greek term here is καί (kai), in context this remark is clearly contrastive: Despite the malicious act, God was present and protected Joseph. 297:10tn Or “appointed.” See Gen 41:41-43. 307:11tn Grk “came upon all Egypt.” 317:11tn Grk “and,” but logically causal. 327:11sn Our. Stephen spoke of “our” ancestors (Grk “fathers”) in an inclusive sense throughout the speech until his rebuke in v. 51, where the nation does what “your” ancestors did, at which point an exclusive pronoun is used. This serves to emphasize the rebuke. 337:11tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.” 347:12tn Or possibly “food,” since in a number of extrabiblical contexts the phrase σιτία καὶ ποτά (sitia kai pota) means “food and drink,” where solid food is contrasted with liquid nourishment (L&N 3.42). 357:12tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.” 367:12tn The word “there” is not in the Greek text. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader. 377:13tn BDAG 194 s.v. γένος 2. gives “family, relatives” here; another alternative is “race” (see v. 19). 387:14tn The words “a message” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. 397:14tn Or “Joseph had his father summoned” (BDAG 121 s.v. ἀποστέλλω 2.b). 407:14tn Grk “souls” (here an idiom for the whole person). 417:15tn The word “there” is not in the Greek text. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader. 427:15tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.” 437:16tn “and they.” 447:16sn See Gen 49:29-32. 457:17tn Grk “But as the time for the fulfillment of the promise drew near that God had declared to Abraham.” The order of the clauses has been rearranged to improve English style. See vv. 6-7 above. 467:17tn Grk “the people increased and multiplied.” 477:18tn Or simply “did not know.” However, in this context the point is that the new king knew nothing about Joseph, not whether he had known him personally (which is the way “did not know Joseph” could be understood). 487:18tn Grk “arose,” but in this context it clearly refers to a king assuming power. 497:18sn A quotation from Exod 1:8. 507:19tn According to L&N 88.147 it is also possible to translate κατασοφισάμενος (katasofisameno") as “took advantage by clever words” or “persuaded by sweet talk.” 517:19tn Or “race.” 527:19tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.” 537:19tn Or “expose” (BDAG 303 s.v. ἔκθετος). 547:19tn Grk “so that they could not be kept alive,” but in this context the phrase may be translated either “so that they would not continue to live,” or “so that they would die” (L&N 23.89). 557:20tn Or “was well-formed before God,” or “was well-pleasing to God” (BDAG 145 s.v. ἀστεῖος suggests the meaning is more like “well-bred” as far as God was concerned; see Exod 2:2). 567:20tn Grk “who was brought up for three months.” The continuation of the sentence as a relative clause is awkward in English, so a new sentence was started in the translation by changing the relative pronoun to a regular pronoun (“he”). 577:21tn Or “exposed” (see v. 19). 587:21tn Grk “Pharaoh’s daughter took him up for herself.” According to BDAG 64 s.v. ἀναιρέω, “The pap. exx. involve exposed children taken up and reared as slaves…The rendering ‘adopt’ lacks philological precision and can be used only in a loose sense (as NRSV), esp. when Gr-Rom. terminology relating to adoption procedures is taken into account.” In this instance both the immediate context and the OT account (Exod 2:3-10) do support the normal sense of the English word “adopt,” although it should not be understood to refer to a technical, legal event. 597:21tn Or “and reared him” (BDAG 74 s.v. ἀνατρέφω b). 607:22tn Or “instructed.” 617:22tn Or “was able” (BDAG 264 s.v. δυνατός 1.b.α). 627:23tn Grk “heart.” 637:23tn Grk “brothers.” The translation “compatriot” is given by BDAG 18-19 s.v. ἀδελφός 2.b. 647:23tn Grk “the sons of Israel.” 657:24tn Grk “And when.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. 667:24tn “Hurt unfairly” conveys a better sense of the seriousness of the offense against the Israelite than “treated unfairly,” which can sometimes refer to slight offenses, or “wronged,” which can refer to offenses that do not involve personal violence, as this one probably did. 677:24tn Grk “he”; the referent (Moses) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 687:24tn Or “he defended,” “he retaliated” (BDAG 55 s.v. ἀμύνομαι). 697:25tn Grk “his brothers.” 707:25tn Grk “was granting them deliverance.” The narrator explains that this act pictured what Moses could do for his people. 717:25tn Grk “by his hand,” where the hand is a metaphor for the entire person. 727:25sn They did not understand. Here is the theme of the speech. The people did not understand what God was doing through those he chose. They made the same mistake with Joseph at first. See Acts 3:17; 13:27. There is good precedent for this kind of challenging review of history in the ancient scriptures: Ps 106:6-46; Ezek 20; and Neh 9:6-38. 737:26tn Grk “he”; the referent (Moses) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 747:26tn Grk “saw them”; the context makes clear that two individuals were involved (v. 27). 757:26tn Or “tried to reconcile” (BDAG 964-65 s.v. συναλλάσσω). 767:27tn Or “repudiated Moses,” “rejected Moses” (BDAG 126-27 s.v. ἀπωθέω 2). 777:27tn Grk “him”; the referent (Moses) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 787:27tn Or “appointed.” 797:28tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative reply which is indicated in the translation by the ‘tag’ at the end, “do you?”sn A quotation from Exod 2:14. Even though a negative reply was expected, the question still frightened Moses enough to flee, because he knew his deed had become known. This understanding is based on the Greek text, not the Hebrew of the original setting. Yet the negative here expresses the fact that Moses did not want to kill the other man. Once again the people have badly misunderstood the situation. 807:29tn Grk “At this word,” which could be translated either “when the man said this” or “when Moses heard this.” Since λόγος (logos) refers to the remark made by the Israelite, this translation has followed the first option. 817:29tn Or “resident alien.” Traditionally πάροικος (paroiko") has been translated “stranger” or “alien,” but the level of specificity employed with “foreigner” or “resident alien” is now necessary in contemporary English because a “stranger” is a person not acquainted with someone, while an “alien” can suggest science fiction imagery. 827:30tn Grk “And after.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and contemporary English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. 837:30tn Or “wilderness.” 847:30sn An allusion to Exod 3:2. 857:32tn Or “ancestors”; Grk “fathers.” 867:32tn Grk “and Isaac,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more. 877:32sn A quotation from Exod 3:6. The phrase suggests the God of promise, the God of the nation. 887:32tn Or “to investigate,” “to contemplate” (BDAG 522 s.v. κατανοέω 2). 897:33sn A quotation from Exod 3:5. The phrase holy ground points to the fact that God is not limited to a particular locale. The place where he is active in revealing himself is a holy place. 907:34tn Or “mistreatment.” 917:34tn Or “to set them free.” 927:34tn Grk “And now.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. 937:34sn A quotation from Exod 3:7-8, 10. 947:35sn This same. The reference to “this one” occurs five times in this speech. It is the way the other speeches in Acts refer to Jesus (e.g., Acts 2:23). 957:35sn A quotation from Exod 2:14 (see Acts 7:27). God saw Moses very differently than the people of the nation did. The reference to a ruler and a judge suggests that Stephen set up a comparison between Moses and Jesus, but he never finished his speech to make the point. The reader of Acts, however, knowing the other sermons in the book, recognizes that the rejection of Jesus is the counterpoint. 967:35tn Or “liberator.” The meaning “liberator” for λυτρωτήν (lutrwthn) is given in L&N 37.129: “a person who liberates or releases others.” 977:35tn Or simply “through the angel.” Here the “hand” could be understood as a figure for the person or the power of the angel himself. The remark about the angel appearing fits the first century Jewish view that God appears to no one (John 1:14-18; Gal 3:19; Deut 33:2 LXX). 987:36tn Here the context indicates the miraculous nature of the signs mentioned.sn Performing wonders and miraculous signs. Again Moses acted like Jesus. The phrase appears 9 times in Acts (2:19, 22, 43; 4:30; 5:12; 6:8; 7:36; 14:3; 15:12). 997:36tn Or simply “in Egypt.” The phrase “the land of” could be omitted as unnecessary or redundant. 1007:36tn Grk “and at,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more. 1017:36tn Or “desert.” 1027:37tn Grk “to the sons of Israel.” 1037:37sn A quotation from Deut 18:15. This quotation sets up Jesus as the “leader-prophet” like Moses (Acts 3:22; Luke 9:35). 1047:38tn This term, ἐκκλησία (ekklhsia), is a secular use of the term that came to mean “church” in the epistles. Here a reference to an assembly is all that is intended. 1057:38tn Or “desert.” 1067:38tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.” 1077:38tn Grk “fathers, who.” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “he” and a new clause introduced by “and” was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style. 1087:38tn Or “messages.” This is an allusion to the law given to Moses. 1097:38tc ‡ The first person pronoun ἡμῖν (Jhmin, “to us”) is read by A C D E Ψ 33 1739 Ï lat sy, while the second person pronoun ὑμῖν (Jumin, “to you”) is read by Ì74 א B 36 453 al co. The second person pronoun thus has significantly better external support. As well, ὑμῖν is a harder reading in this context, both because it is surrounded by first person pronouns and because Stephen perhaps “does not wish to disassociate himself from those who received God’s revelation in the past, but only from those who misinterpreted and disobeyed that revelation” (TCGNT 307). At the same time, Stephen does associate himself to some degree with his disobedient ancestors in v. 39, suggesting that the decisive break does not really come until v. 51 (where both his present audience and their ancestors are viewed as rebellious). Thus, both externally and internally ὑμῖν is the preferred reading. 1107:39tn Grk “whom our.” The continuation of the sentence as a relative clause is awkward in English, so a new sentence was started in the translation at this point. 1117:39tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.” 1127:39sn To obey. Again the theme of the speech is noted. The nation disobeyed the way of God and opted for Egypt over the promised land. 1137:39sn Pushed him aside. This is the second time Moses is “pushed aside” in Stephen’s account (see v. 27). 1147:40tn Or simply “of Egypt.” The phrase “the land of” could be omitted as unnecessary or redundant. 1157:40sn A quotation from Exod 32:1, 23. Doubt (we do not know what has happened to him) expresses itself in unfaithful action. The act is in contrast to God’s promise in Exod 23:20. 1167:41tn Grk “And.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. 1177:41tn Grk “In those days.” 1187:41tn Or “a bull calf” (see Exod 32:4-6). The term μοσχοποιέω (moscopoiew) occurs only in Christian writings according to BDAG 660 s.v. 1197:41tn Grk “and brought,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more. 1207:41tn The imperfect verb εὐφραίνοντο (eufrainonto) has been translated ingressively. See BDAG 414-15 s.v. εὐφραίνω 2. 1217:41tn Or “in what they had done.” 1227:42sn The expression and gave them over suggests similarities to the judgment on the nations described by Paul in Rom 1:18-32. 1237:42tn Or “stars.”sn To worship the hosts of heaven. Their action violated Deut 4:19; 17:2-5. See Ps 106:36-43. 1247:42tn The two terms for sacrifices “semantically reinforce one another and are here combined essentially for emphasis” (L&N 53.20). 1257:42tn The Greek construction anticipates a negative reply which is indicated in the translation by the ‘tag’ question, “was it?” 1267:43tn Or “tent.”sn A tabernacle was a tent used to house religious objects or a shrine (i.e., a portable sanctuary). 1277:43sn Moloch was a Canaanite deity who was believed to be the god of the sky and the sun. 1287:43tc ‡ Most mss, including several important ones (Ì74 א A C E Ψ 33 1739 Ï h p vg syh mae bo Cyr), have ὑμῶν (Jumwn, “your”) here, in conformity with the LXX of Amos 5:26. But other significant and diverse witnesses lack the pronoun: The lack of ὑμῶν in B D 36 453 gig syp sa Irlat Or is difficult to explain if it is not the original wording here. NA27 has the word in brackets, indicating some doubt as to its authenticity. 1297:43sn Rephan (῾Ραιφάν, RJaifan) was a pagan deity. The term was a name for Saturn. It was variously spelled in the mss (BDAG 903 s.v. has Rompha as an alternate spelling). The references cover a range of deities and a history of unfaithfulness. 1307:43tn Or “I will make you move.” 1317:43sn A quotation from Amos 5:25-27. This constituted a prediction of the exile. 1327:44tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.” 1337:44tn Or “tent.”sn The tabernacle was the tent used to house the ark of the covenant before the construction of Solomon’s temple. This is where God was believed to reside, yet the people were still unfaithful. 1347:44tn Or “desert.” 1357:44tn Grk “the one”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 1367:44tn The word “him” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader. 1377:45tn Grk “And.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. 1387:45tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.” 1397:45tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”sn Before our ancestors. Stephen has backtracked here to point out how faithful God had been before the constant move to idolatry just noted. 1407:45tn Grk “In those days.” 1417:46tn Grk “David, who” The relative pronoun was replaced by the pronoun “he” and a new sentence was begun in the translation at this point to improve the English style. 1427:46tn Or “grace.” 1437:46tn Grk “before,” “in the presence of.” 1447:46tn The words “that he could” are not in the Greek text, but are implied as the (understood) subject of the infinitive εὑρεῖν (Jeurein). This understands David’s request as asking that he might find the dwelling place. The other possibility would be to supply “that God” as the subject of the infinitive: “and asked that God find a dwelling place.” Unfortunately this problem is complicated by the extremely difficult problem with the Greek text in the following phrase (“house of Jacob” vs. “God of Jacob”). 1457:46tn On this term see BDAG 929 s.v. σκήνωμα a (Ps 132:5). 1467:46tc Some mss read θεῷ (qew, “God”) here, a variant much easier to understand in the context. The reading “God” is supported by א2 A C E Ψ 33 1739 Ï lat sy co. The more difficult οἴκῳ (oikw, “house”) is supported by Ì74 א* B D H 049 pc. Thus the second reading is preferred both externally because of better ms evidence and internally because it is hard to see how a copyist finding the reading “God” would change it to “house,” while it is easy to see how (given the LXX of Ps 132:5) a copyist might assimilate the reading and change “house” to “God.” However, some scholars think the reading “house” is so difficult as to be unacceptable. Others (like Lachmann and Hort) resorted to conjectural emendation at this point. Others (Ropes) sought an answer in an underlying Aramaic expression. Not everyone thinks the reading “house” is too difficult to be accepted as original (see Lake and Cadbury). A. F. J. Klijn, “Stephen’s Speech – Acts vii.2-53,” NTS 4 (1957): 25-31, compared the idea of a “house within the house of Israel” with the Manual of Discipline from Qumran, a possible parallel that seems to support the reading “house” as authentic. (For the more detailed discussion from which this note was derived, see TCGNT 308-9.) 1477:47sn See 1 Kgs 8:1-21. 1487:48sn The title the Most High points to God’s majesty (Heb 7:1; Luke 1:32, 35; Acts 16:7). 1497:48sn The phrase made by human hands is negative in the NT: Mark 14:58; Acts 17:24; Eph 2:11; Heb 9:11, 24. It suggests “man-made” or “impermanent.” The rebuke is like parts of the Hebrew scripture where the rebuke is not of the temple, but for making too much of it (1 Kgs 8:27; Isa 57:15; 1 Chr 6:8; Jer 7:1-34). 1507:49sn What kind…resting place? The rhetorical questions suggest mere human beings cannot build a house to contain God. 1517:50tn Or “Did I.” The phrase “my hand” is ultimately a metaphor for God himself. 1527:50tn The question in Greek introduced with οὐχί (ouci) expects a positive reply.sn A quotation from Isa 66:1-2. If God made the heavens, how can a human building contain him? 1537:51sn Traditionally, “stiff-necked people.” Now the critique begins in earnest. 1547:51tn The term ἀπερίτμητοι (aperitmhtoi, “uncircumcised”) is a NT hapax legomenon (occurs only once). See BDAG 101-2 s.v. ἀπερίτμητος and Isa 52:1. 1557:51tn Or “You stubborn and obstinate people!” (The phrase “uncircumcised hearts and ears” is another figure for stubbornness.) 1567:51tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.” 1577:52tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.” 1587:52sn Which…persecute. The rhetorical question suggests they persecuted them all. 1597:52tn Grk “And they.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here. 1607:52sn The Righteous One is a reference to Jesus Christ. 1617:52sn Whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. The harsh critique has OT precedent (1 Kgs 19:10-14; Neh 9:26; 2 Chr 36:16). 1627:53tn Grk “whose betrayers and murderers you have now become, who received the law” The two consecutive relative clauses make for awkward English style, so the second was begun as a new sentence with the pronoun “You” supplied in place of the Greek relative pronoun to make a complete sentence in English. 1637:53tn Traditionally, “as ordained by angels,” but εἰς (eis) with the accusative here should be understood as instrumental (a substitute for ἐν [en]); so BDAG 291 s.v. εἰς 9, BDF §206. Thus the phrase literally means “received the law by the decrees [orders] of angels” with the genitive understood as a subjective genitive, that is, the angels gave the decrees.sn Decrees given by angels. According to Jewish traditions in the first century, the law of Moses was mediated through angels. See also the note on “angel” in 7:35. 1647:53tn The Greek word φυλάσσω (fulassw, traditionally translated “keep”) in this context connotes preservation of and devotion to an object as well as obedience. 1657:53tn Or “did not obey it.” 1667:54tn This verb, which also occurs in Acts 5:33, means “cut to the quick” or “deeply infuriated” (BDAG 235 s.v. διαπρίω). 1677:54tn Or “they gnashed their teeth.” This idiom is a picture of violent rage (BDAG 184 s.v. βρύχω). See also Ps 35:16. 1687:55tn Grk “he”; the referent (Stephen) has been specified in the translation for clarity. 1697:55tn Grk “being full,” but the participle ὑπάρχων (Juparcwn) has not been translated since it would be redundant in English. 1707:55tn Grk “looking intently toward heaven, saw.” The participle ἀτενίσας (atenisa") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. 1717:55sn The picture of Jesus standing (rather than seated) probably indicates his rising to receive his child. By announcing his vision, Stephen thoroughly offended his audience, who believed no one could share God’s place in heaven. The phrase is a variation on Ps 110:1. 1727:56tn Grk “And he said, ‘Look!’” Because of the length of the Greek sentence and the tendency of contemporary English style to use shorter sentences, καί (kai) has not been translated here; a new sentence is begun instead. 1737:57sn They covered their ears to avoid hearing what they considered to be blasphemy. 1747:58tn Grk “And when.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence and the tendency of contemporary English style to use shorter sentences, καί (kai) has not been translated here; a new sentence is begun instead. 1757:58sn They began to stone him. The irony of the scene is that the people do exactly what the speech complains about in v. 52. 1767:58tn Or “outer garments.”sn Laid their cloaks. The outer garment, or cloak, was taken off and laid aside to leave the arms free (in this case for throwing stones). 1777:59tn Grk “And they.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence and the tendency of contemporary English style to use shorter sentences, καί (kai) has not been translated here; a new sentence is begun instead. 1787:60tn Grk “Then falling to his knees he cried out.” The participle θείς (qeis) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. 1797:60sn The remarks Lord Jesus, receive my spirit and Lord, do not hold this sin against them recall statements Jesus made on the cross (Luke 23:34, 46). 1807:60tn Grk “And when.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence and the tendency of contemporary English style to use shorter sentences, καί (kai) has not been translated here; a new sentence is begun instead. 1817:60tn The verb κοιμάω (koimaw) literally means “sleep,” but it is often used in the Bible as a euphemism for the death of a believer.
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