Acts 6:13

And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

And {G5037} set up {G2476} false {G5571} witnesses {G3144}, which said {G3004}, This {G5127} man {G444} ceaseth {G3973} not {G3756} to speak {G2980} blasphemous {G989} words {G4487} against {G2596} this {G3778} holy {G40} place {G5117}, and {G2532} the law {G3551}:

There they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the Torah;

where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:

Commentary

Context of Acts 6:13

Acts 6:13 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Stephen, one of the seven deacons chosen by the early church to minister to the Hellenistic Jewish widows (Acts 6:1-6). Stephen, described as a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, performed great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). His wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke were so powerful that those who debated him from the Synagogue of the Freedmen could not withstand him (Acts 6:10). Unable to defeat him in argument, they resorted to a common tactic used against those perceived as threats to the established religious order: suborning false witnesses. This verse marks the beginning of the legal proceedings against Stephen before the Sanhedrin, mirroring the unjust trial of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:59-60).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Persecution and False Accusations: The verse highlights the early church's experience of persecution, often initiated by religious authorities through deceit and baseless charges. Stephen's trial foreshadows the ongoing conflict between the expanding Christian movement and traditional Jewish leadership.
  • Conflict Over Temple and Law: The accusations against Stephen—speaking "blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law"—reveal a fundamental tension. Stephen's preaching likely emphasized that God's presence was no longer confined to the Jerusalem Temple and that the Mosaic Law found its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This perspective was seen as a direct challenge to the very foundations of Jewish identity and worship.
  • Divine Authority vs. Human Tradition: Stephen's ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit, represented a new understanding of God's work that transcended rigid interpretations of the Law and the centrality of the Temple. This clash between the Spirit-led message and human-made religious structures is a recurring theme in the book of Acts.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "blasphemous words" translates from the Greek blasphema rhemata (βλασφημα ρηματα). In a Jewish context, blasphemy was a grave offense, often punishable by stoning. It signified speaking evil against God, sacred things, or claiming divine prerogatives. Accusing Stephen of speaking against "this holy place" (the Temple) and "the law" was an attempt to portray him as an enemy of God and Jewish heritage, thereby inciting the crowd and justifying a severe penalty.

Practical Application

Acts 6:13 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Standing for Truth: Like Stephen, Christians may face opposition, false accusations, or misunderstanding when faithfully proclaiming God's truth, especially when it challenges prevailing cultural or religious norms.
  • Focus on Christ, Not Rituals: The accusations against Stephen highlight the danger of prioritizing physical structures or religious rituals over a true relationship with God through Christ. The "holy place" and "the law" were meant to point to God, but had become ends in themselves for some. Stephen's later sermon in Acts 7:48 clarifies that God does not dwell in temples made with hands.
  • Perseverance in Persecution: Stephen's response to these false charges, culminating in his powerful sermon and martyrdom, serves as a powerful example of steadfastness and courage in the face of injustice and persecution for one's faith.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 6:11

    Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.

  • Acts 21:28

    Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all [men] every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

  • Acts 7:58

    And cast [him] out of the city, and stoned [him]: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

  • Matthew 24:15

    When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

  • Psalms 56:5

    Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts [are] against me for evil.

  • Psalms 27:12

    Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

  • Acts 25:8

    While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
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