Acts 7:48-49 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 7:44-53

Lessons of sacred history. I. THE SACRED PLACES OF ISRAEL . 1. The tabernacle. It was the tent of witness or of attestation; otherwise the "tabernacle of the assembly," or of the congregation. It was the visible center of Israel's natural and spiritual life, the hearth and home of the people and the altar of God. He met with them to declare his will, to make known his laws, and they with one another as a community having a common weal. Religion is the true foundation of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 7:48

Houses (in italics) for temples, A.V. and T.R. The word ναοῖς (here, but not in Acts 17:24 ) is omitted in the R.T. In Isaiah 16:12 . LXX . (quoted by Meyer), χειροποίητα (plural) is used without a substantive for the "sanctuary" ( שׁוֹדּקְםִ ) of Moab. For the sentiment that the infinite God, Creator of heaven and earth, cannot be contained in a house built by the hands of men, see also 2 Chronicles 6:18 , as well as the passages above quoted. Stephen justifies himself... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 7:49

The heaven for heaven, A.V .; the earth the footstool of my feet for earth is my footstool, A.V. ; what manner of house for what house , A.V. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 7:48

Howbeit - But. Stephen was charged with speaking against the temple. He had now shown that he had due veneration for it, by his declaring that it had been built by the command of God. But he “now” adds that God does not need such a temple. Heaven is his throne; the universe his dwelling-place; and “therefore” this temple might be destroyed. A new, glorious truth was to be revealed to mankind, that God was not “confined” in his worship to any age, or people, or nation. In entire consistency,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 7:49

Heaven is my throne - See the notes on Matthew 5:34.Earth is my footstool - See the notes on Matthew 5:35.What house ... - What house or temple can be large or magnificent enough for the dwelling of Him who made all things?The place of my rest - My home, my abode, my fixed seat or habitation. Compare Psalms 95:11. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 7:48-50

Acts 7:48-50 . Howbeit Αλλα , but, or yet; we are not to imagine that God permitted a temple to be built even then for his own sake: for it was acknowledged, at the same time, by Solomon himself, that the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands Be they ever so rich, splendid, and majestic. As saith the prophet Namely, Isaiah, chap. Isaiah 66:1, where, speaking in the name of God, he says, Heaven is my throne, and earth my footstool; and how then should my presence be... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 7:1-60

Stephen before the Sanhedrin (7:1-60)The defence that Stephen made before the Sanhedrin was not designed to win its approval. He outlined Israel’s history to demonstrate two main points. First, God had never shown himself to be limited to one dwelling place, or even one locality (therefore the Jews were mistaken in attaching such importance to the temple in Jerusalem). Second, the people of Israel had always rejected the messengers of God (therefore their rejection of the Messiah Jesus was not... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 7:48

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 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 7:49

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 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 7:48

Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet, The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet: What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord: Or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?Stephen summed up his argument by this appeal to the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 66:1f), which set forth the impossibility of Almighty God's actually dwelling in any house made by human hands. The great temple of the Jews had... read more