Acts 6:9

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.

Then {G1161} there arose {G450} certain {G5100} of {G1537} the synagogue {G4864}, which {G3588} is called {G3004} the synagogue of the Libertines {G3032}, and {G2532} Cyrenians {G2956}, and {G2532} Alexandrians {G221}, and {G2532} of them of {G575} Cilicia {G2791} and {G2532} of Asia {G773}, disputing {G4802} with Stephen {G4736}.

But opposition arose from members of the Synagogue of the Freed Slaves (as it was called), composed of Cyrenians, Alexandrians and people from Cilicia and the province of Asia. They argued with Stephen,

But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They began to argue with Stephen,

But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue calledthe synagogueof the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

Commentary

Acts 6:9 introduces the specific groups who initiated the intense opposition against Stephen, one of the first deacons appointed in the early Christian church. This verse marks a pivotal moment, setting the stage for Stephen's powerful defense and subsequent martyrdom, highlighting the growing conflict between the nascent Christian movement and established Jewish religious authorities.

Historical and Cultural Context

The early church in Jerusalem experienced rapid growth, leading to administrative challenges, particularly concerning the daily distribution to Hellenist widows, as noted in Acts 6:1. To address this, seven men "full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom" were chosen for this service, including Stephen, as detailed in Acts 6:5. Stephen, however, was not confined to administrative duties; he also performed "great wonders and miracles among the people" (Acts 6:8) and powerfully proclaimed the gospel.

The "Synagogue of the Libertines" refers to a synagogue in Jerusalem frequented by Hellenistic Jews – Greek-speaking Jews from various parts of the Roman Empire who had returned to Jerusalem. "Libertines" (Greek: Libertinoi) were freedmen, likely descendants of Jews taken captive and then released from slavery by the Romans. The other groups mentioned – Cyrenians (from Cyrene in North Africa), Alexandrians (from Alexandria in Egypt), and those from Cilicia (a region in modern-day Turkey, Paul's home province) and Asia (a Roman province in western Asia Minor) – further emphasize the diverse, diasporic nature of these Jewish communities living in Jerusalem. These groups, zealous for Jewish law and tradition, found Stephen's teachings, which often touched upon the abrogation of the Law and temple rituals through Christ, to be blasphemous and threatening.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Opposition to Truth: This verse vividly illustrates how the proclamation of the Gospel can incite intense opposition, even from religious people. The dispute with Stephen was not a casual disagreement but a serious challenge to his message and authority.
  • The Power of the Spirit in Witness: Although Acts 6:9 highlights the opposition, the immediate follow-up in Acts 6:10 reveals that these adversaries "were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake." This emphasizes that Stephen's ability to debate and defend his faith came from divine empowerment.
  • Internal Jewish Conflict: The conflict detailed here is not primarily between Jews and Gentiles, but between different factions within Judaism concerning the claims of Jesus as the Messiah. The Hellenistic Jews, having lived abroad, may have been particularly sensitive to perceived deviations from traditional Judaism.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "disputing" is syzΔ“teō (συ΢ητέω), which means "to discuss together," "to dispute," or "to contend in argument." It implies a vigorous and often contentious debate, rather than a calm theological discussion. This term highlights the intensity of the confrontation Stephen faced, as these well-educated and zealous individuals sought to publicly discredit him.

Practical Application

Acts 6:9 reminds us that followers of Christ may encounter strong resistance when sharing their faith, even from those who are deeply religious but do not accept the Gospel. It underscores the importance of:

  • Standing Firm in Conviction: Stephen faced formidable opponents, yet he did not back down from proclaiming the truth.
  • Relying on Divine Wisdom: Like Stephen, believers are called to rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and boldness when faced with challenges or opposition, as the Spirit equips us to speak effectively (see Luke 12:12).
  • Understanding the Nature of Conflict: Opposition to the Gospel is often rooted in spiritual blindness or a misunderstanding of God's redemptive plan through Christ, rather than merely intellectual disagreement.

This verse sets the stage for Stephen's powerful sermon and martyrdom in Acts 7, illustrating the cost of discipleship and the unwavering witness of the early church in the face of escalating persecution.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 15:41

    And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

  • Acts 23:34

    And when the governor had read [the letter], he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that [he was] of Cilicia;

  • Acts 22:3

    ΒΆ I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

  • Acts 15:23

    And they wrote [letters] by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren [send] greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

  • Matthew 27:32

    And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

  • Acts 18:24

    ΒΆ And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, [and] mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

  • Acts 19:10

    And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
← Back