King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept [it].
Complete Jewish Bible:
you! — who receive the Torah as having been delivered by angels — but do not keep it!”
Berean Standard Bible:
you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”
American Standard Version:
ye who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Who{G3748} have received{G2983} the law{G3551} by{G1519} the disposition{G1296} of angels{G32}, and{G2532} have{G5442} not{G3756} kept{G5442} it.
Cross-References (KJV):
Hebrews 2:2
- For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
Galatians 3:19
- ¶ Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Acts 7:38
- This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Deuteronomy 33:2
- And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand [went] a fiery law for them.
John 7:19
- Did not Moses give you the law, and [yet] none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
Galatians 6:13
- For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Ezekiel 20:18
- But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:
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Commentary for Acts 7:53
Acts 7:53 is part of Stephen's speech before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, as recorded in the Book of Acts in the New Testament. Stephen, a deacon in the early Christian church, was brought before the council on false charges of blasphemy against Moses and God. In his defense, he recounts the history of the Jewish people, emphasizing how they have often rejected God's messengers and the covenant.
The verse specifically addresses the theme of the Jewish people's historical relationship with the Law of Moses, which was given to them through angelic mediation. The mention of "angels" in this context likely refers to the traditional Jewish belief that angels were involved in the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, as suggested in passages like Deuteronomy 33:2 and the non-biblical Book of Jubilees. Stephen accuses his listeners of receiving the law in this solemn and divine manner but failing to obey it, which is a serious indictment against the religious leaders of his time.
This verse reflects the broader theme of the chapter, which is the pattern of Israel's disobedience and rejection of God's messengers, including the prophets and, most recently, Jesus Christ. Stephen's speech is a bold assertion that the Jewish leaders are continuing this pattern by rejecting Jesus, whom he presents as the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets. The historical context of this verse is set against the backdrop of early Christian-Jewish tensions, as the nascent Christian movement was seeking to define its identity and relationship with traditional Jewish practices and beliefs. Stephen's speech, and particularly Acts 7:53, serves to underscore the New Testament message that faith in Jesus Christ supersedes adherence to the Mosaic Law as the means of salvation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G3748
There are 148 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅστις
Transliteration: hóstis
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: from ὅς and τὶς; which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same:--X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare ὅτι. - Strong's Number: G2983
There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λαμβάνω
Transliteration: lambánō
Pronunciation: lam-ban'-o
Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas δέχομαι is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while αἱρέομαι is more violent, to seize or remove)):--accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up). - Strong's Number: G3551
There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: νόμος
Transliteration: nómos
Pronunciation: nom'-os
Description: from a primary (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G1296
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διαταγή
Transliteration: diatagḗ
Pronunciation: dee-at-ag-ay'
Description: from διατάσσω; arrangement, i.e. institution:--instrumentality. - Strong's Number: G32
There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄγγελος
Transliteration: ángelos
Pronunciation: ang'-el-os
Description: from (probably derived from ἄγω; compare ἀγέλη) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G5442
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φυλάσσω
Transliteration: phylássō
Pronunciation: foo-las'-so
Description: probably from φυλή through the idea of isolation; to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid:--beward, keep (self), observe, save. Compare τηρέω. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.