Acts 6:14

14 For we heard him saying, That this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the traditions, which Moses betook 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 so they moved together the people, and the elder men, and the scribes; and they came together, and took him [and snatched him], and brought into the council.
13 And they ordained false witnesses, that said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place, and the law.
14 For we heard him saying, That this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the traditions, which Moses betook to us.
15 And all men that sat in the council beheld him, and saw his face as the face of an angel. [And all men that sat in the council beholding him, saw the face of him as the face of an angel.]
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.