Acts 6 Footnotes

6:1-3 These verses are heavily debated, and the exact meaning of “Hellenistic Jews against Hebraic Jews” is unclear. The Hellenistic-Hebraic tension perhaps reflected the primary language and culture of those involved. Some Greek-speaking Jewish Christians who had converted to Christianity (chap. 9) were apparently neglected in the Jerusalem church’s organization. So that the apostles could devote themselves to prayer and preaching, they appointed seven reputable Greek-speakers to distribute food. Whatever the precise definition, this organization (perhaps the beginning of “deacons”) does not imply a late date for the book of Acts. Instead, it addressed a practical logistical need within the early church.

6:6 The laying on of hands is used in several different ways in Acts (8:17; 13:3; 19:6). Here, as in 13:3, it indicated the recognition that God called particular people for a particular purpose and served to confirm them in their task.

6:11 Stephen’s “blasphemous words” reflect themes in his chap. 7 speech: Israel’s disobedience, OT fulfillment in Jesus’s ministry—including his replacing the temple and law. This would arouse resentment in those not accepting Jesus as Messiah. False witnesses (to rouse the crowd) were called in since Stephen’s “blasphemy” was not obvious (6:13).