Vincent's Word Studies And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
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. They (ἐκείνων)
Those messengers, the servants and the soldier. The pronoun has a more specific reference than the English they. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Very hungry (πρόσπεινος)
Only here in New Testament. Would have eaten (ἤθελε γεύσασθαι) Rev., correctly, desired to eat. Γευέσθαι is rendered both to eat and to taste, more frequently the latter. See Matthew 27:34; John 2:9; 1 Peter 2:3; and compare Acts 20:11. He fell into a trance (ἐπέπεσεν ἐπ' αὐτὸν ἔκστασις) Lit., an ecstasy fell upon him. The best texts, however, read ἐγένετο, came upon him, or happened to him. See on astonishment, Mark 5:42. Luke alone employs the word in this sense of ecstasy or trance. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Saw (θεωρεῖ)
Rev., better, and more literally, beholdeth. See on Luke 10:18. The present tense is graphically introduced into the narrative. Unto him The best texts omit. Sheet (ὀθόνην) Only here and Acts 11:5. Originally fine linen; later, sail-cloth or a sail. Dr. J. Rawson Lumby suggests that the word, "applied to loose, bellying sails of ships," may indicate that the form of vessel which appeared to Peter "recalled an image most familiar to his previous life - the wind-stretched canvas of the craft on the Lake of Galilee" ("Expositor," iii., 272). Knit (δεδεμένον) If this is retained, we must render bound, or attached; but the best texts omit, together with the following and. Render, as Rev., let down by four corners. Compare Acts 11:5. Corners (ἀρχαῖς) Lit., beginnings; the extremity or corner, marking a beginning of the sheet. "We are to imagine the vessel, looking like a colossal four-cornered linen cloth letting itself down, while the corners attached to heaven to support the whole." The word is used in this sense by Herodotus, describing the sacrifices of the Scythians. The victim's forefeet are bound with a cord, "and the person who is about to offer, taking his station behind the victim, pulls the end (ἀρχὴν)of the rope, and thereby throws the animal down" (iv., 60). The suggestion of ropes holding the corners of the sheet (Alford, and, cautiously, Farrar) is unwarranted by the usage of the word. It was the technical expression in medical language for the ends of bandages. The word for sheet in this passage was also the technical term for a bandage, as was the kindred word ὀθόνιον, used of the linen bandages in which the Lord's body was swathed. See Luke 24:12; John 19:40; John 20:5, John 20:6, John 20:7. Mr. Hobart says: "We have thus in this passage a technical medical phrase - the ends of a bandage - used for the ends of a sheet, which hardly any one except a medical man would think of employing" ("Medical Language of St. Luke"). And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: All manner of four-footed beasts (πάντα τὰ τετράποδα)
Lit., all the four-footed beasts. Without exception, clean and unclean. Not, of very many kinds. Wild beasts The best texts omit. Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. Not so (μηδαμῶς)
Stronger: by no means. "With that simple and audacious self-confidence which in his (Peter's) character was so singularly mingled with fits of timidity and depression, he boldly corrects the voice which orders him, and reminds the divine Interlocutor that he must, so to speak, have made an oversight" (Farrar, "Life and Works of Paul"). Compare Matthew 16:22. Common (κοινὸν) Unholy. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Call not thou common (σὺ μὴ κοίνου)
The thought goes deeper than merely styling "common." Lit., do not thou defile. Do not profane it by regarding and calling it common. Rev., "make not thou common." Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Doubted (διηπόρει)
See on Luke 9:7. In himself On reflection, as compared with his ecstatic state. Had made inquiry (διερωτήσαντες) "Having inquired out;" having asked their way through (διά) streets and houses, until they found the dwelling of the tanner, who was an obscure man, and not easily found. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. Called
A general summons to any one within, in order to make inquiries. 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, Thought on (διενθυμουμένου)
Was earnestly (διά) pondering. And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Was warned (ἐχρηματίσθη) See on Matthew 2:12. Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]. Text Courtesy of Internet Sacred Texts Archive. Bible Apps.com |
