Acts 7:48

KJV

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

KJV (with Strong's)

Howbeit {G235} the most High {G5310} dwelleth {G2730} not {G3756} in {G1722} temples {G3485} made with hands {G5499}; as {G2531} saith {G3004} the prophet {G4396},

Complete Jewish Bible

But Ha‘Elyon does not live in places made by hand! As the prophet says,

Berean Standard Bible

However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:

American Standard Version

Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Acts 7:48, Stephen, in his impassioned defense before the Sanhedrin, declares a profound theological truth: God, the Most High, does not dwell in temples made by human hands. This statement, immediately preceding a prophetic quotation, challenges the prevailing Jewish understanding that confined God's presence primarily to the Jerusalem Temple, asserting instead God's transcendent nature and omnipresence, which cannot be limited by any physical structure or human endeavor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 7:48 is a pivotal statement within Stephen's lengthy, comprehensive, and ultimately provocative sermon (Acts 7:1-53) delivered before the Sanhedrin. This sermon serves as Stephen's defense against accusations of blasphemy against Moses, God, the Temple, and the Law (Acts 6:11-14). Rather than a direct rebuttal, Stephen offers a sweeping historical survey of Israel, tracing God's interactions with His people from Abraham to Solomon. He meticulously highlights God's presence *outside* the Temple (e.g., with Abraham, Joseph, Moses in the wilderness tabernacle) and Israel's consistent rebellion and rejection of God's messengers. Verse 48, along with the subsequent quotation from Isaiah 66:1-2, functions as the climax of his argument concerning the Temple, asserting God's transcendence and implicitly critiquing the Sanhedrin's misplaced veneration of the physical structure over the spiritual reality of God's presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Stephen's speech, the Second Temple in Jerusalem was the undisputed center of Jewish religious life, a magnificent edifice revered as the dwelling place of God. Its destruction by the Babylonians and subsequent rebuilding had deeply ingrained its importance in the Jewish psyche. The Temple represented God's presence among His people, the place of sacrifice, prayer, and pilgrimage. The Sanhedrin, composed of leading priests, elders, and scribes, were the guardians of this religious system, deeply invested in the Temple's centrality. Stephen's declaration directly challenged this deeply held belief, implying that their focus on the physical structure had become an impediment to understanding God's true nature and His new work in Christ. This challenge was perceived as a direct assault on their religious authority and traditions, fueling the charges against him.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores God's **transcendence and omnipresence**, emphasizing that the Creator of the universe cannot be contained by human constructs, a theme echoed in [Solomon's prayer at the Temple dedication](/1_kings/8-27 "1 Kings 8:27 - Solomon's Prayer"). Secondly, it serves as a **critique of religious formalism and misplaced veneration**, suggesting that an overemphasis on physical structures or rituals can obscure the true nature of worship and God's desire for a spiritual relationship. This aligns with Jesus' teaching that true worship is in [spirit and truth](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"). Thirdly, it foreshadows the **shift in God's dwelling place** from a physical temple to His people, the Church, a concept fully developed in the New Testament, where believers are depicted as the [temple of the Holy Spirit](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as God's Temple"). Finally, Stephen's immediate follow-up by quoting Isaiah demonstrates the **fulfillment of prophecy**, showing that this understanding of God's uncontainable nature was rooted in the Old Testament scriptures themselves, not a new, radical idea.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Most High (Greek, _hýpsistos'_):** This superlative term, derived from the base of `hýpsos` (height), denotes supreme rank, authority, and loftiness. When applied to God, as it frequently is in the Septuagint and New Testament, it emphasizes His exalted position as the Supreme God, utterly transcendent and above all creation. Stephen uses it to underscore God's incomparable greatness, which inherently defies containment within human-made structures.
* **Dwelleth (Greek, _katoikéō'_):** This verb signifies "to house permanently" or "to reside." It implies a settled, continuous habitation. By using the negative ("dwelleth not"), Stephen asserts that God's presence is not limited to or permanently confined within the Temple in the way humans might inhabit a house. It challenges the notion of God being bound to a specific physical location.
* **Made with hands (Greek, _cheiropoíētos'_):** This adjective, formed from `cheír` (hand) and `poiéō` (to make), literally means "manufactured" or "of human construction." Its inclusion is crucial, highlighting the contrast between the finite, created nature of the Temple and the infinite, uncreated nature of God. It underscores that anything produced by human effort is inherently insufficient to contain or define the divine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands":** This is the core theological assertion. The introductory "Howbeit" (G235 `allá`) serves as a strong adversative, setting up a direct contradiction to the prevailing assumption that God's primary dwelling was the Jerusalem Temple. Stephen declares that the Supreme God, by His very nature, cannot be confined to or permanently housed within any structure built by human hands. This is a direct challenge to the Temple's perceived exclusivity as God's dwelling place, emphasizing God's transcendence over all human constructs.
* **"as saith the prophet,":** This phrase immediately grounds Stephen's radical declaration in the authority of the Old Testament. By referencing "the prophet" (specifically Isaiah, as revealed in the subsequent verses), Stephen demonstrates that his statement is not a novel, blasphemous idea but a truth already revealed in God's inspired word. This serves to legitimize his argument and turn the tables on his accusers, implying that they, not he, were misinterpreting scripture.

#### Literary Devices
Stephen's statement employs several potent literary devices. **Antithesis** is central, contrasting the infinite "Most High" with finite "temples made with hands," thereby highlighting the impossibility of containing the divine within human constructs. This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, underscoring God's transcendence. The phrase "made with hands" functions as a **metonymy** for human limitations and the created order, emphasizing that God is beyond human creation and control. Furthermore, the immediate appeal to "the prophet" serves as an **appeal to authority**, grounding Stephen's seemingly radical claim in the established and revered scriptures, thus adding weight and legitimacy to his argument while simultaneously challenging his audience's interpretation of their own sacred texts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 7:48 articulates a foundational theological truth about God's nature: His transcendence and omnipresence. God is not bound by space or human constructs; His glory fills the heavens and the earth. This verse directly challenges any tendency to localize or limit God's presence to specific sacred sites, reminding us that true worship is not about a place, but about a relationship with the living God. It sets the stage for the New Testament understanding that God's dwelling is no longer a physical building, but rather His people, the Church, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This shift underscores the personal and spiritual nature of God's presence in the new covenant.

* [1 Kings 8:27](/1_kings/8-27 "Solomon's Prayer at Temple Dedication")
* [Isaiah 66:1-2](/isaiah/66-1-2 "God's Throne and Footstool")
* [Acts 17:24](/acts/17-24 "Paul's Sermon on Mars' Hill")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Stephen's powerful declaration in Acts 7:48 holds profound implications for contemporary believers. It serves as a vital reminder that our worship and spiritual focus must transcend physical locations or elaborate rituals. While church buildings and sacred spaces can facilitate communal worship and spiritual growth, they are not the exclusive dwelling place of God. This truth liberates us from the misconception that God is more present in one place than another, empowering us to seek and encounter Him in every aspect of our lives, whether in a grand cathedral, a humble home, or the quiet solitude of nature. It calls us to prioritize genuine, heart-felt relationship with the living God over mere adherence to external forms or traditions, fostering a faith that is vibrant and deeply personal, not confined by walls or human expectations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, inadvertently limit God's presence or activity to specific times, places, or rituals?**
* **How does understanding God's transcendence (that He is not limited by human constructs) impact my daily walk with Him and my prayer life?**
* **If God does not dwell in temples made with hands, where does He truly desire to dwell, and what are the implications for my life as a believer?**

### FAQ
**Did Stephen's statement mean that the Temple was completely irrelevant or evil?**

Answer: No, Stephen's statement in Acts 7:48 was not an outright condemnation of the Temple's historical significance or its role in God's redemptive plan. Rather, it was a theological correction and a prophetic warning against the *misplaced emphasis* and *idolatry of place* that had developed around the Temple. The Temple, particularly Solomon's, was indeed built at God's command and served as a focal point for worship and sacrifice in the Old Covenant. However, even Solomon himself acknowledged God's transcendence, questioning if God could truly be contained in any house built by human hands ([1 Kings 8:27](/1_kings/8-27 "Solomon's Prayer at Temple Dedication")). Stephen's point, reinforced by his quotation from [Isaiah 66:1-2](/isaiah/66-1-2 "Isaiah 66:1-2 - God's Throne"), was that while God had chosen to manifest His presence in the Temple, His ultimate nature far exceeded any physical structure. The danger, as Stephen saw it, was that the Jewish leaders had become so fixated on the physical Temple that they missed the spiritual realities God was revealing, particularly in Christ. He was critiquing their rigid adherence to the physical structure over the true spiritual worship and the unfolding of God's plan, which was moving beyond the confines of a single building.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Stephen's declaration that "the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands" finds its ultimate and profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. While the Old Testament Temple served as a shadow and type of God's presence among His people, it was always temporary and preparatory. Jesus Christ Himself is the true and ultimate Temple of God, the perfect meeting place between God and humanity. As John declares, [the Word became flesh and dwelt among us](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation"), with "dwelt" (ἐσκήνωσεν, _eskēnōsen_) echoing the tabernacling presence of God. Jesus directly prophesied the destruction of the physical temple and its replacement by His own body, stating, "[Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection"), referring to the temple of His body" ([John 2:21](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus' Body as the Temple")). Through Christ's atoning work, the need for a physical temple for sacrifice and mediation was forever fulfilled. Now, by the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers individually and corporately become the temple of the living God ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as God's Temple"); [2 Corinthians 6:16](/2_corinthians/6-16 "2 Corinthians 6:16 - Believers are God's Temple")). This glorious reality means that God's presence is no longer confined to a building in Jerusalem, but is intimately present within His redeemed people, forming a spiritual house built of living stones, with Christ as the cornerstone ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")). Thus, Stephen's statement points forward to a new era where God's dwelling is not a physical edifice, but the very hearts and lives of those who are in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 17:24

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Acts 17:25

Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Isaiah 66:1

¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?

Isaiah 66:2

For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

1 Kings 8:27

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

2 Chronicles 2:5

And the house which I build [is] great: for great [is] our God above all gods.

2 Chronicles 2:6

But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who [am] I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?