ACTS 7. SPEECH OF STEPHEN. The speech of Stephen stands after the introduction of the Hellenists, and in the course of the attack on them which led to their persecution and withdrawal from Jerusalem. This explains its tenor. It is an impeachment of the Jews based on their history; they are the true... [ Continue Reading ]
ABRAHAM AND THE PATRIARCHS. The High Priest invites Stephen to plead to the charge. Addressing his audience in the style used by Paul (Acts 22:1), Stephen speaks of the theophany to Abraham, placing it, as Philo does, in Mesopotamia before the move to Haran (contrast Genesis 11:31; Genesis 12:1). Th... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES. Stephen describes the growth of the people, the change of ruler and his oppression, as in Exodus 1. ACTS 7:20. FAIR UNTO GOD (_mg._): from Exodus 2:2; Philo and Josephus speak of the beauty of Moses. Acts 7:21. _Cf._ Exodus 2:3; Exodus 2:10. The papyri show that the exposure of infants was... [ Continue Reading ]
The speech comes nearer the charge it is to refute. The Temple itself is wrong. Moses acted on direct Divine injunction as to the tabernacle of witness which he made according to the pattern showed him and which the fathers carried with them in the wilderness (Exodus 25; especially Exodus 25:9; Exod... [ Continue Reading ]
ACTS 7:54 TO ACTS 8:1_ A_. DEATH OF STEPHEN. The speech of Stephen cuts the hearers to the quick. It is not said that they interrupted him; the speech is complete, but their apparent and vehement anger showed him that the last had come; they were no longer masters of themselves. We have no longer a... [ Continue Reading ]