Full of faith and power; enabled to preach, dispute, do, and suffer all things through Christ. Did great wonders and miracles among the people; of whom he cured many; or, among the people, in that he did these wonders publicly. read more
Certain of the synagogue; synagogues were as colleges in our universities, being used for instruction and learning; and were distinguished according to the persons that frequented them. Libertines; some think these were natives of a certain country in Africa, from whence they were so called; but more probably they were such as were manumitted or made free, (as the word is commonly used for such), and in a middle condition between such as were free born and such as were bond slaves, and might... read more
Not able to resist; they did oppose it, but ineffectually. The wisdom: The foolishness of God is wiser than men, 1 Corinthians 1:25. What then is his wisdom, through which this holy man spake? The spirit; the Holy Ghost directing him, and putting a Divine power upon what he spake, according to the promise, Matthew 10:20. read more
What these blasphemous words were, we have, Acts 6:14; which show, that the veil was yet over their hearts, and that they could not endure to hear, that the shadows must flee away when the sun is risen, and the types be abolished when the substance of the things typified is exhibited; for this truth was all the blasphemy this holy martyr was guilty of. read more
Being overcome by reason and arguments, they betake themselves to all the evil arts imaginable; they suborn witnesses against St. Stephen, as was done against Naboth, and (that we read of) never before; they make the people, and the number, (which is usually the worst), on their side; then they complain of him to the priests, &c.; and lest any, or all these, should fail, they lay violent hands on him themselves. Sin goes on as a current, and never stops, unless an Almighty word be spoken... read more
They mingled in their testimony false things with truths, as they who witnessed against our Saviour had done. St. Stephen might possibly have inculcated what our Saviour had foretold, Luke 19:43,Luke 19:44, and both have been very innocent; for neither of them spake with any abhorrence of, much less blasphemy against, the law or the temple; but in that the witnesses perverted and added to their words, they are deservedly branded as false witnesses. Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus, is a granted... read more
This place; that is, the temple. Jeremiah had foretold this long ago, and did escape, though very narrowly, Jeremiah 26:12-16; Daniel had prophesied of the destruction both of the city and the sanctuary, Daniel 9:26; and yet these were in great respect amongst them: and none could speak more plainly of the calling of the Gentiles than Malachi, Acts 1:11; and yet when the apostles came to apply these very things more home and close, they could not endure them. read more
With an extraordinary lustre and radiancy, above what appears in men, whereby they might be distinguished, as Matthew 28:2,Matthew 28:3, affecting the beholders with admiration; thus Moses’s face did shine. read more
CRITICAL REMARKSActs 6:1. In those days should be in these days,—i.e., shortly before Stephen’s martyrdom which did not long antedate Saul’s conversion in A.D. 37. Hence the events recorded in the present chapter may be set down as having taken place in A.D. 35 or 36. It is satisfactory to know that while Baur denies, Zeller, and Weizsäcker admit that the ensuing narrative concerning Stephen proceeds upon undeniably historical ground. Was multiplied.—Better, was multiplying, or becoming... read more
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Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 6:7
A great company of the priests; none so violent opposers of the gospel as these were (their interest in all likelihood, heightening their opposition); yet great is truth, especially the Spirit of truth, and did prevail; and though in itself the number might not be so great as to be called a great multitude, yet, considering who they were that were converted, it was very wonderful, and the few might pass for many. Were obedient to the faith; Christianity is not a bare speculation, but a... read more