New Testament Commentary - Acts 6

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 6 Apostles choose seven to assist them—Stephen transfigured before the Sanhedrin.
1 AND in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians^a against the Hebrews, because their ^awidows were ^bneglected in the daily ^cministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.	1^a Grecians Care must be taken as to terminology. Here the name 'Grecians' certainly refers to 'Jews' who have been brought up in the lands of the Greeks, who speak Greek and may even have some customs of the Greek which do not conflict with the customs of the Jews. That they were being discrimated against, though also Jews, says something about the Jewish traditions. Those Jews who spoke and considered themselves 'Hebrews' because of it, seemed to not treat Jews of other 'nations' and tongues with the same respect as those of the 'homeland'. But care needs to be taken concerning the usage of the term 'Grecians'. While here it references Jews who spoke Greek and were from Greek nations (see Acts 6:1 and Acts 9:29), in other places the term 'Grecians' is also used in reference to Greek Gentiles (Acts 11:20) who are not Jews at all.	1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of ^ahonest ^breport, full of the Holy Ghost and ^cwisdom, whom we may appoint over this ^dbusiness. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ^aministry of the word.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
5 ¶ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they ^achose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the ^bHoly Ghost, and ^cPhilip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they ^alaid their ^bhands on them.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the ^apriests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and ^apower, did great wonders and ^bmiracles among the people.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
9 ¶ Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the ^aLibertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, ^bdisputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the ^awisdom and the spirit by which he spake.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak ^ablasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
13 And set up ^afalse witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the ^acustoms which Moses delivered us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the ^aface of an ^bangel.