Acts 6 13

Acts 6:13 kjv

And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

Acts 6:13 nkjv

They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;

Acts 6:13 niv

They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

Acts 6:13 esv

and they set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law,

Acts 6:13 nlt

The lying witnesses said, "This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses.

Acts 6 verses

Acts 6 13 Meaning

Acts 6:13 describes the deliberate instigation of false witnesses against Stephen during his trial before the Sanhedrin. These witnesses accused him of ceaselessly speaking blasphemous words against the Jerusalem Temple, referred to as "this holy place," and against the Mosaic Law. This verse sets the stage for Stephen's lengthy defense, highlighting the core charges that mirror those brought against Jesus, rooted in a perceived challenge to established Jewish religious authority and tradition.

Acts 6 13 Context

Acts 6:13 takes place during a critical phase of the early church's growth. After Stephen, one of the seven deacons appointed to serve the community's practical needs, begins performing "great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8), he draws the attention of members from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cynians, Alexandrians, Cyrenians, and Asians) (Acts 6:9). These individuals, unable to refute Stephen's wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke (Acts 6:10), resort to instigating false charges against him. The preceding verse (Acts 6:12) mentions the stirring up of the people, elders, and scribes, leading to Stephen's arrest and being brought before the Sanhedrin. Acts 6:13 specifically details the content of these fabricated accusations, setting the stage for Stephen's climactic speech and subsequent martyrdom. Historically, the charges against the Temple and Law were extremely grave under Jewish religious jurisdiction, punishable by death.

Acts 6 13 Word analysis

• And set up (Καὶ ἔστησαν - Kai estēsan): The verb estēsan (from histēmi) means "they caused to stand," "they placed," or "they appointed." Here, it signifies a deliberate, pre-meditated act of introducing individuals to testify. It's not accidental but a calculated move by Stephen's opponents to gather or create incriminating evidence.

• false (ψευδεῖς - pseudēis): This adjective explicitly identifies the witnesses as liars. Their testimony is fabricated, not based on truth. This immediately marks the proceedings as unjust and highlights the corrupt methods used by Stephen's accusers.

• witnesses (μάρτυρας - martyras): These are individuals giving sworn testimony. In the biblical context, true witnesses were vital for justice, requiring multiple reliable accounts. The addition of "false" underscores the perversion of justice. The same Greek root gives us "martyr," linking the witness in court to Stephen's ultimate fate as a witness for Christ.

• This man (Ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος - Ho anthrōpos houtos): A somewhat derogatory or dismissive way to refer to Stephen, implying he is merely a mortal man challenging sacred, divine institutions.

• ceaseth not (οὐ παύεται - ou pauetai): This double negative phrase, "does not stop," suggests a persistent, habitual, and relentless action on Stephen's part. The accusation implies Stephen's speech was a continuous offense, not an isolated incident.

• to speak (λαλῶν - lalōn): Denotes oral communication, often with the sense of public discourse. Stephen's supposed blasphemies were not quiet whispers but public proclamations.

• blasphemous (βλάσφημα - blasphēma): Words of impious and irreverent speech. In Jewish law, blasphemy most commonly referred to speaking contemptuously of God or denying His power. Here, it is extended to sacred things related to God, the Temple and the Law, equating disrespect for them with disrespect for God Himself.

• words (ῥήματα - rhēmata): Specifically refers to uttered statements, phrases, or declarations. The focus is on the specific content of Stephen's message.

• against (κατὰ - kata): This preposition indicates direct opposition or accusation towards something.

• this holy place (τοῦ τόπου τοῦ ἁγίου τούτου - tou topou tou hagiou toutou): Refers to the Jerusalem Temple. It emphasizes its sacredness. To speak against it was considered an attack on God's dwelling and the core of Jewish identity and worship.

• and the law (καὶ τοῦ νόμου - kai tou nomou): The Mosaic Law, comprising the foundational commandments and statutes for the Jewish people. Speaking against the Law was an accusation of rejecting God's covenant and authority, seen as equivalent to apostasy.

• "set up false witnesses": This phrase highlights the deliberate conspiracy against Stephen, underscoring the malicious intent and absence of true legal process. It echoes the unjust trials throughout biblical history.

• "ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words": This portrays Stephen as an unceasing, vocal opponent of what the Jewish leaders held most sacred, implying a radical and dangerous individual. It magnifies the perceived threat Stephen posed.

• "against this holy place, and the law": These two elements – the Temple and the Mosaic Law – represent the twin pillars of Jewish identity and religious life. The accusation directly targets what made Israel unique, showing the depth of misunderstanding or malice towards Stephen's gospel message which transcended physical location and strict adherence to codified regulations.

Acts 6 13 Bonus section

The accusations against Stephen concerning the Temple and Law reveal a central theological tension between Old Covenant shadows and New Covenant realities. Stephen's message, implied by these charges and then clearly articulated in Acts 7, suggested that God is not confined to human-built structures (Is 66:1-2; Acts 7:48) and that the Mosaic Law served a temporary purpose (Gal 3:24-25), with its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Rom 10:4). The Jewish leaders, deeply invested in the physical Temple and literal interpretation of the Law, perceived Stephen's Christ-centered theology as a radical assault on their faith and institutions, viewing it as blasphemy rather than the progression of God's redemptive plan. This confrontation marked a significant turning point, showcasing how the New Covenant would necessitate a re-evaluation of Israel's most cherished traditions.

Acts 6 13 Commentary

Acts 6:13 encapsulates the heart of the conflict between the burgeoning Christian movement and the established Jewish leadership. The charges against Stephen were precisely chosen to ignite religious outrage: "blasphemy" against the sacred Temple and the inviolable Mosaic Law. These accusations mirror the very charges leveled against Jesus (Mt 26:61; Mk 14:58), suggesting a patterned persecution of Christ's followers. The "false witnesses" demonstrate the religious authorities' desperation and refusal to engage honestly with the divine wisdom and Spirit in Stephen, resorting instead to fabrication. This verse thus prefaces Stephen's profound discourse (Acts 7), where he directly refutes these charges by tracing God's redemptive history, ultimately revealing that God's presence is not bound to a physical building and that the Law found its fulfillment and ultimate purpose in Christ. The accusation shows a deep-seated fear that the new Christian understanding threatened the traditional systems of worship and righteousness.