Acts 6:14

14 For we heard him say that Jesus, this Nazarene, will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us."

Acts 6:14 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 6:14

For we have heard him say
The Ethiopic version adds, "besides"; but rather these words are a reason, giving evidence to, and supporting the general charge:

that this Jesus of Nazareth;
Stephen spoke of, and whom they so called by way of contempt:

shall destroy this place;
meaning the temple, as the Ethiopic version renders it; and is the same charge, the false witnesses at Christ's examination brought against him:

and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us;
that is, the rites, ceremonies, institutions, and appointments of the Mosaic dispensation; and yet this is no other, than what the Jews themselves say will be done, in the times of the Messiah; for they assert ^F16, that

``(awbl dytel) , "in time to come" (i.e. in the days of the Messiah) all sacrifices shall cease, but the sacrifice of thanksgiving.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 Vajikra Rabba, sect. 9. fol. 153. 1. & sect. 27. fol. 168. 4.

Acts 6:14 In-Context

12 They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; so they came up, dragged him off, and took him to the Sanhedrin.

13 They also presented false witnesses who said, "This man does not stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.

14 For we heard him say that Jesus, this Nazarene, will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us."

15 And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.