Acts 6:14
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Study Note
Study Note
The charge against Stephen — 'we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us' — reprises the accusation brought against Jesus at his trial (Mark 14:58) and sets the stage for Stephen's lengthy biblical-theological defense in chapter 7. The accusation's specific content (temple destruction, Mosaic change) reflects genuine tensions in the early Jerusalem community about the relationship between the Jesus movement and temple-based Judaism. Stephen's speech in response provides the most sustained theological interpretation of Israel's history in the New Testament, presenting a tradition of rejection of prophets culminating in the crucifixion. The passage is crucial for understanding the social and theological dynamics that led to the first wave of Christian persecution.
Other Translations
for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.
for we have heard him saying, That this Jesus the Nazarean shall overthrow this place, and shall change the customs that Moses delivered to us;'
For he has said in our hearing that this Jesus of Nazareth will put this place to destruction and make changes in the rules which were handed down to us by Moses.
Cross References
And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee, and …
Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that …
A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord that rendereth recompence …
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, …
And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord.
Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of …
Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place …
Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of …
Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city …
Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The Lord sent me to prophesy against …