Fathers

Acts 6

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

Acts 6:13

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

They say not, "he speaketh," but, "he ceaseth not to speak. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, and set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law." "Ceaseth not," say they, as if he made this his business. …

Homily on Acts 15 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"And they set up false witnesses, who said." Everywhere false testimony. They did not wish to kill simply, but by verdict, calculating that by this they would undermine the good reputation of those whom they were killing. They did not say of Stephen: "he speaks," but — "he does not cease. For we have heard him say that Jesus the Nazarene" ("Nazarene" is said as a reproach) "will destroy this place." This was also said about Christ: "He who destroys the temple" (Matt. 27:40). …

Commentary on Acts ↗

Oecumenius

They brought men who said that "we have heard him uttering blasphemous words against Moses and God." What were the words? "That this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place." And indeed Stephen said this, though not perhaps in so bare a form. How then are these men persuaded and false witnesses? Because they did not hear it as they now reported, but lied. For since they had heard otherwise and now advanced a different account, it is reasonable that they be recorded as false witnesses. …

Commentary on Acts ↗