Acts 7:52

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Which {G5101} of the prophets {G4396} have {G1377} not {G3756} your {G5216} fathers {G3962} persecuted {G1377}? and {G2532} they have slain {G615} them which {G3588} shewed before {G4293} of {G4012} the coming {G1660} of the Just One {G1342}; of whom {G3739} ye {G5210} have been {G1096} now {G3568} the betrayers {G4273} and {G2532} murderers {G5406}:

Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who told in advance about the coming of the Tzaddik, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers! —

Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—

Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers;

Context

Acts 7:52 is a pivotal and highly confrontational verse within Stephen's lengthy defense speech before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. In this sermon, Stephen recounts the history of Israel, highlighting a recurring pattern of disobedience and rejection of God's messengers, from Moses to the prophets. His speech culminates in a scathing indictment of his audience, accusing them of continuing this historical pattern by rejecting and murdering the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This verse marks the climax of his argument, directly challenging the religious leaders who are judging him.

Key Themes

  • Historical Pattern of Rejection: Stephen emphasizes that the persecution of God's prophets was not an isolated incident but a consistent historical pattern among the Israelites. This sets the stage for the ultimate rejection of the Messiah.
  • The Identity of "The Just One": This title unequivocally refers to Jesus Christ, presented as the pinnacle of God's revelation, whose coming was foretold by the very prophets their ancestors persecuted.
  • Accountability for the Messiah's Death: Stephen directly accuses his listeners of being the "betrayers and murderers" of Jesus, holding them personally accountable for His crucifixion. This bold accusation directly links their actions to the historical pattern of rejecting divine truth.
  • Divine Justice and Judgment: The verse implies a coming judgment for those who reject God's ultimate messenger, contrasting sharply with the divine faithfulness demonstrated through the prophets.

Linguistic Insights

  • "The Just One" (ὁ δίκαιος - ho dikaios): This Greek phrase is a significant messianic title for Jesus, emphasizing His righteousness and His perfect fulfillment of God's law and prophetic expectations. It contrasts sharply with the unrighteousness of those who reject Him. Peter also uses this title for Jesus in Acts 3:14.
  • "Persecuted" (ἐδίωξαν - ediōxan): This word signifies a relentless pursuit, harassment, and ill-treatment, underscoring the severe and consistent opposition the prophets faced.
  • "Betrayers and Murderers" (προδόται καὶ φονεῖς - prodotai kai phoneis): These are strong, unambiguous terms. "Betrayers" highlights the act of handing over Jesus to the Roman authorities, while "murderers" points to their active role in His death, echoing the crowd's call for His crucifixion.

Practical Application

Acts 7:52 serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of rejecting God's truth and His messengers. It challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Hearts: Do we resist truths that challenge our preconceived notions or comfortable lives? Are we open to God's word, even when it confronts our actions or beliefs?
  • Recognize Christ's Authority: Stephen’s bold declaration of Jesus as "the Just One" underscores His unique and supreme authority. Our response to Jesus determines our standing before God.
  • Learn from History: The historical pattern of rejecting prophets, which Jesus Himself lamented (Matthew 23:37), warns against repeating past mistakes of spiritual blindness and hardened hearts.
  • Embrace the Cost of Truth: Stephen's willingness to speak such a challenging truth, knowing the severe consequences (leading directly to Stephen's own martyrdom), exemplifies courage in proclaiming God's message, even when it is unpopular or dangerous.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 5:12

    Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

  • 1 Kings 19:10

    And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:16

    But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till [there was] no remedy.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:15

    Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

  • Jeremiah 2:30

    In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

  • Luke 11:47

    Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

  • Luke 11:51

    From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.

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