Acts 7:1-19

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 7:1

Then said the high priest; who was resolved to condemn any, right or wrong, that should profess Christ, as appears John 9:22. Are these things so? That he might seem just, he gives him a kind of liberty to answer for himself; not to defend his doctrine, but; to know out of his own mouth whether he preached it, or not. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 7:2

Brethren; to take away any prejudice they might have conceived against him, and to recommend, not his person as much as his doctrine to them, he calls them brethren; 1. As hoping in the same promises with them; 2. Observing the same law; 3. Worshipping the same God. Fathers; a word of respect; especially the elder amongst them, or his judges: thus the Roman senators were called fathers; and magistrates ought to be reverenced as the fathers of their country. The God of glory; who is also... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 7:3

This command given unto Abraham we read of, Genesis 12:1,Genesis 12:5,Genesis 12:6; and it is here the rather spoken of by St. Stephen, to prove that Abraham was in the favour of God, and did truly serve him, before he ever saw the land of Canaan, and before the ceremonial law was given by Moses, and, much more, before the temple was built; and therefore it could not be blasphemy in him to hold that God might be served without those ceremonies, and worshipped elsewhere than in Jerusalem. The... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 7:4

Abraham had as great a love to his kindred and native country as others have; but he had a greater faith, which made him yield to God’s call and command, and follow from place to place the will of God, who is said here to have removed Abraham, and does choose the inheritance and habitation for his people, Psalms 47:4. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 7:5

He gave him none inheritance in it; it is true that Abraham had a field, and the cave of Mach-pelah, Genesis 23:9; but that was of no use to Abraham whilst alive, but to bury him in when dead; besides, it was not as an inheritance by God’s gift, but it was purchased with his money. Not so much as to set his foot on; whereby the least parcel of ground is meant: hence St. Stephen would prove, that Abraham’s happiness, and theirs too, if they rightly understood it, did not depend upon the... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 7:6

Should sojourn in a strange land, as men which dwell in houses that are not their own; which seem to contradict the promise mentioned in the foregoing verse; but it is only to make Abraham the more believe against hope in hope, as it is said, Romans 4:18; though there were never so many difficulties more, for what God hath promised faith would overcome them all. This very space of four hundred years is also mentioned, Genesis 15:13; which is thus computed: from the birth of Isaac (the promised... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 7:7

Will I judge, or punish; and so the Egyptians were punished, not by human means, but by Divine power, and with God’s own immediate hand, and that in the fulness of time, the very night in which God’s promise was to take effect: and therefore it is a night to be much observed, Exodus 12:42, as showing, that the sabbath of his people, and the destruction of his enemies, slumber not, 2 Peter 2:3. Serve me in this place; in Mount Horeb. The reason why God delivers his people is, that they may serve... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 7:8

He gave him, Abraham, of whom he was speaking, the convenant of circumcision; of which covenant, circumcision was the sign and seal by which, on the part of Abraham and his seed it was stipulated, that they should put off all carnal affections. Begat Isaac, after the promise: so that the promises were not given for Isaac’s sake, but Isaac was given for the promise’ sake; which made these things more fit to represent gospel grace, of which St. Stephen was preaching. The twelve patriarchs; the... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 7:9

Moved with envy; enraged: the holy martyr accommodates his apology so, as that they may yet have occasion to reflect on themselves; for as they had sold our Saviour unto strangers, so had their fathers sold Joseph. But God was with him, to favour and bless him; for God’s presence brings all good along with it: with this he comforts himself and others, that it was not without example or precedent that God should be with such whom their persecutors could not endure. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Acts 7:10

And delivered him out of all his afflictions; the effect of God’s presence with him, which to his people is always in an especial manner, not only as he is with all other creatures, but as the soul is with the body, most effectually, so is God with them. And gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh: thus God brought Daniel into favour, Daniel 1:9, and hath all hearts in his hands. read more

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