Acts 6:11-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 6:8-15

Stephen, no doubt was diligent and faithful in the discharge of his office as distributor of the church's charity, and laid out himself to put that affair in a good method, which he did to universal satisfaction; and though it appears here that he was a man of uncommon gifts, and fitted for a higher station, yet, being called to that office, he did not think it below him to do the duty of it. And, being faithful in a little, he was entrusted with more; and, though we do not find him... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 6:8-15

6:8-15 Stephen, full of grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. There arose in debate with Stephen certain members of the synagogue of the Libertines and of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia; and they could find no answer to his wisdom and to the Spirit with whose help he spoke. So they formed a plot to introduce certain men who alleged, "We heard this man speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God." So they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:11

Then they suborned men ,.... Hired false witnesses, which seems to have been commonly done by the Jews; so they did in the case of Christ: which said, we have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God ; that is, against the law of Moses, and so against God, who gave the law to Moses, as appears from Acts 6:13 the blasphemous words seem to be, with respect to the ceremonial law, and the abrogation of it, which Stephen might insist upon, and they charged with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:12

And they stirred up the people ,.... The common people, who were easily wrought upon, and soon incensed and provoked, when at any time it was suggested to them that the rituals and ceremonies of the law of Moses were treated with any neglect or contempt; see Acts 21:27 . And the elders and the Scribes ; who belonged to the sanhedrim, to whom they reported these things, as persons, under whose cognizance they properly came: and came upon him ; at an unawares, and in an hostile way: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:13

And set up false witnesses ,.... Having hired them, they brought them and set them before the sanhedrim, to bear witness against Stephen: which said, this man ; meaning Stephen, who was now before the council, at whom they pointed, and whose name, through contempt, they would not mention: ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place ; either the city of Jerusalem, which is sometimes called the holy city, and which was foretold by the angel to Daniel, and by Christ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:14

For we have heard him say ,.... The Ethiopic version adds, "besides"; but rather these words are a reason, giving evidence to, and supporting the general charge: that this Jesus of Nazareth ; Stephen spoke of, and whom they so called by way of contempt: shall destroy this place ; meaning the temple, as the Ethiopic version renders it; and is the same charge, the false witnesses at Christ's examination brought against him: and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 6:15

And all that sat in the council ,.... The whole sanhedrim, looking steadfastly on him ; to observe whether his countenance altered, his tongue stammered, or he trembled in any part of his body, neither of which appeared; but on the contrary, they saw his face, as if it had been the face of an angel . The Ethiopic version adds, "of God"; there was such a calmness and serenity in it, which showed his innocence and unconsciousness of guilt; and such a beauty and glory upon it, that he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:11

Then they suborned men - Ὑπεβαλον . They made underhand work; got associated to themselves profligate persons, who for money would swear any thing. Blasphemous words against Moses, and against God - This was the most deadly charge they could bring against him. We have already seen, Matthew 9:4 , that blasphemy, when against God, signifies speaking impiously of his nature, attributes, or works; and, when against men, it signifies speaking injuriously of their character, blasting... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:12

And they - The Libertines, etc., mentioned before, stirred up the people - raised a mob against him, and, to assist and countenance the mob, got the elders and scribes to conduct it, who thus made themselves one with the basest of the people, whom they collected; and then, altogether, without law or form of justice, rushed on the good man, seized him, and brought him to a council who, though they sat in the seat of judgment, were ready for every evil work. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 6:13

Against this holy place - The temple, that it shall be destroyed. And the law - That it cannot give life, nor save from death. It is very likely that they had heard him speak words to this amount, which were all as true as the spirit from which they proceeded; but they gave them a very false colouring, as we see in the succeeding verse. read more

Group of Brands