Acts 6:13-14
and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The accusation against Stephen is deliberately framed to sound like blasphemy, but it actually twists his message about a future, spiritual fulfillment of God's purposes. They accuse him of speaking against the temple and the Law, but his teaching, as revealed in his defense, was about how Christ completes and transcends them, not destroys them.
Following the appointment of the seven deacons to handle the daily distribution of food, the narrative shifts to Stephen, who boldly preaches Christ. His powerful arguments and miraculous signs provoke the opposition, leading the religious authorities to arrest him. To silence Stephen, they fabricate charges of blasphemy against the Temple and the Law of Moses, bringing in paid liars to testify against him.
Have you ever had your words twisted to mean something you never intended? The enemies of Stephen didn't just disagree with him; they fabricated a case by distorting his message into a capital offense.
The accusation against Stephen is a masterclass in misrepresentation. The religious leaders didn't necessarily report Stephen's exact words, but they twisted his core message into blasphemy against the most sacred elements of their faith: the Temple and the Law of Moses.
The Art of Distortion
Stephen’s words, twisted as they were, touched on the very heart of Jewish identity. What did the Temple and the Law truly represent, and why was challenging them so explosive?
The accusation strikes at the core of Jewish life. The 'holy place' (the Temple) and the 'law' (Mosaic Law) weren't just religious rules; they were symbols of God's presence, covenant, and plan for His people.
More Than Bricks and Books
Understand the original words
pseudomartys · Greek Noun
An individual who intentionally provides untrue testimony in a legal or formal setting, violating the biblical command against bearing false witness.
topos · Greek Noun
A reference to the Temple in Jerusalem, viewed as the dwelling place of God's presence on earth and the center of Israel's sacrificial worship.
nomos · Greek Noun
Refers to the Mosaic Law (Torah), which constitutes the foundational moral, ceremonial, and civil instructions given by God to Israel to govern their covenant relationship with Him.
The accusations against Stephen mirror those against Jesus, highlighting the early church's struggle as its message of a fulfilled Law and a spiritual temple clashed with the literalistic interpretations of the Jewish authorities.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The central events of Christianity, leading to the formation of the early church and the spread of its message.
c. 33-34 AD— this verse
Stephen's Ministry and Accusation
Stephen, a deacon, performs miracles and preaches boldly, challenging the religious establishment. His opponents, unable to counter his wisdom, fabricate charges against him.
c. 34 AD
Stephen's Trial and Martyrdom
Stephen is brought before the Sanhedrin, where he delivers a powerful defense, culminating in his stoning. This marks the first Christian martyrdom.
c. 34 AD onwards
Persecution of the Church in Jerusalem
Following Stephen's death, a wave of persecution erupts, scattering believers throughout Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
This passage shows a similar accusation of speaking against the temple, where false witnesses were brought against Jesus, highlighting a pattern of using distorted accusations against God's messengers.
1 Kings 21:10-13Here, Naboth is falsely accused of blaspheming God and the king by 'worthless fellows,' mirroring the tactic of using false testimony to achieve a desired outcome, as seen in Stephen's trial.
Daniel 9:26This prophecy speaks of a future destruction of the temple, which Stephen's accusers twisted to mean he was speaking blasphemy, showing how prophetic truths can be misconstrued by those with hostile intent.
John 2:19-21Jesus spoke of destroying and rebuilding the temple, a statement that was later twisted by false witnesses against him. Stephen's accusers likely did the same, distorting his words about the temple's future.
Acts 25:8Paul faced similar charges of speaking against the law and the temple, showing that these accusations were a common tactic used against early Christians who were challenging the status quo.
ellicottActs 6:13: "And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:"
(13) Against this holy place. —The new feature of Stephen’s preaching comes into greater prominence.
calvinActs 6:11-15: "Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God."
- Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard this man speak blasphemous words against Moses and God. 12. And they moved the people, and the elders, and the scribes. And invading him, they took him and brought him into the council. 13. And they brought forth false witnesses) which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and t…
The accusation against Stephen is deliberately framed to sound like blasphemy, but it actually twists his message about a future, spiritual fulfillment of God's purposes. They accuse him of speaking against the temple and the Law, but his teaching, as revealed in his defense, was about how Christ completes and transcends them, not destroys them.
Following the appointment of the seven deacons to handle the daily distribution of food, the narrative shifts to Stephen, who boldly preaches Christ. His powerful arguments and miraculous signs provoke the opposition, leading the religious authorities to arrest him. To silence Stephen, they fabricate charges of blasphemy against the Temple and the Law of Moses, bringing in paid liars to testify against him.
Following the appointment of the seven deacons to handle the daily distribution of food, the narrative shifts to Stephen, who boldly preaches Christ. His powerful arguments and miraculous signs provoke the opposition, leading the religious authorities to arrest him. To silence Stephen, they fabricate charges of blasphemy against the Temple and the Law of Moses, bringing in paid liars to testify against him.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Acts 6:13-14 is available in the Sola app.
This incident highlights how deeply intertwined religious symbols and national identity were. Any perceived threat to these sacred elements was treated as an existential danger.
"and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses deliv…" — The accusation against Stephen is deliberately framed to sound like blasphemy, but it actually twists his message about a future, spiritual fulfillment of God's purposes. They accuse him of speaking…
