IN THOSE DAYS ... - The first part of this chapter contains an account of the appointment of “deacons.” It may be asked, perhaps, why the apostles did not appoint these officers at the first organization of the church? To this, question we may reply, that it was better to defer the appointment until... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE TWELVE - That is, the apostles. Matthias had been added to them after the apostasy of Judas, which had completed the original number. THE MULTITUDE OF THE DISCIPLES - It is not necessary to suppose that all the disciples were convened, which amounted to many thousands, but that the busines... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK YE OUT - Select, or choose. As this was a matter pertaining to their own pecuniary affairs, it was proper that “they” should be permitted to choose such men as they could confide in. By this means the apostles would be free from all suspicions. It could not be pretended that “they” were partial... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WE WILL GIVE OURSELVES CONTINUALLY - The original expression used here denotes “intense and persevering” application to a thing, or unwearied effort in it. See the notes on Acts 1:14. It means that the apostles designed to make this their constant and main object, undistracted by the cares of li... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SAYING - “The word” - the counsel, or command, AND THEY CHOSE STEPHEN ... - A man who soon showed Acts 7 that he was in every way qualified for his office, and also suited to defend the cause of the Lord Jesus. This man had the distinguished honor of being the first Christian martyr. AND N... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY HAD PRAYED - Invoking in this manner the blessing of God to attend them in the discharge of the duties of their office. THEY LAID THEIR HANDS ... - Among the Jews it was customary to lay hands on the head of a person who was set apart to any particular office, Numbers 27:18; Compare Ac... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE WORD OF GOD INCREASED - That is, the gospel was more and more successful, or became more mighty and extensive in its influence. An instance of this success is immediately added. AND A GREAT COMPANY OF THE PRIESTS - A great “multitude.” This is recorded justly as a remarkable instance of the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND STEPHEN - The remarkable death of this first Christian martyr, which soon occurred, gave occasion to the sacred writer to give a detailed account of his character, and of the causes which led to his death. Hitherto the opposition of the Jews had been confined to threats and imprisonment; but it... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THERE AROSE - That is, they stood up against him, or they opposed him. OF THE SYNAGOGUE - See the notes on Matthew 4:23. The Jews were scattered in all parts of the world. In every place they would have synagogues. But it is also probable that there would be enough foreign Jews residing at Jer... [ Continue Reading ]
TO RESIST - That is, they were not able to “answer” his arguments. THE WISDOM - This properly refers to his knowledge of the Scriptures; his skill in what “the Jews” esteemed to be wisdom - acquaintance with their sacred writings, opinions, etc. AND THE SPIRIT - This has been commonly understood o... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY SUBORNED MEN - To suborn in law means to procure a person to take such a false oath as constitutes perjury (Webster). It has substantially this sense here. It means that they induced them to declare what was false, or to bring a false accusation against him. This was done, not by declaring... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY STIRRED UP THE PEOPLE - They “excited” the people, or alarmed their fears, as had been done before when they sought to put the Lord Jesus to death, Matthew 27:20. THE ELDERS - The members of the Sanhedrin, or Great Council. SCRIBES - See the notes on Matthew 2:4. TO THE COUNCIL - To the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SET UP FALSE WITNESSES - It has been made a question why these persons are called “false” witnesses, since it is supposed by many that they reported merely the “words” of Stephen. It may be replied that if they did report merely his “words”; if Stephen had actually said what they affirmed, yet t... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL CHANGE - Shall abolish them, or shall introduce others in their place. THE CUSTOMS - The ceremonial rites and observances of sacrifices, festivals, etc., appointed by Moses.... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOKING STEDFASTLY ON HIM - Fixing the eyes intently on him. They were probably attracted by the unusual appearance of the man, his meekness, his calm and collected fearlessness, and the proofs of conscious innocence and sincerity. THE FACE OF AN ANGEL - This expression is one evidently denoting tha... [ Continue Reading ]