Acts 6:14

14 for we have heard him say that ¹this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter ²the customs which 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.''

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

Acts 6:14 In-Context

12 And they stirred up the people, the elders and the scribes, and they came up to him and dragged him away and brought him before the Council.

13 They put forward false witnesses who said, "This man incessantly speaks against this holy place and the Law;

14 for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us."

15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 26:61
• 2. Acts 15:1; Acts 21:21; Acts 26:3; Acts 28:17