Keraia
Acts 7

Acts 7:40

The Rebellion of Israel · Acts 7:39–43
Read Acts 7

Translations

Modern
They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’
Traditional
Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
Literal
…having said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses, who brought us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what happened to him.’
Latin
…dicentes ad Aaron: Fac nobis deos qui præcedant nos: Moyses enim hic, qui eduxit nos de terra Ægypti, nescimus quid factum sit ei.

Interlinear

Greek
English
They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’

Notes

Acts 7:39–40

The ancient Jews rejected the law Moses gave to them for their salvation. Stephen was speaking to the people of his time who were physical and spiritual descendants from those Jews. His point was that they were still rejecting God's messengers. In this case, it was Jesus, the ultimate savior.

Acts 7:1–53

  • Stephen answered the accusations by speaking about his Lord (see Luke 21:12–17). Instead of defending himself, he became a witness in God's legal case against them. This revealed how contrary they were and their lack of loyalty. Stephen gave a history of Israel's past and reminded them of their repeated rejections of those who announced God's messages.

  • Stephen's review of Israel's history has three main parts:

    1. The work of the patriarchs. This refers to Abraham and those descended from him who founded the nation of Israel (Acts 7:2–16).

    2. The ministry of Moses (7:17–43).

    3. The role of the tabernacle and the temple (7:44–50).

      Stephen ended his historical survey with a strong criticism of his people's lack of obedience. Like a prophet, he challenged them to stop resisting the Holy Spirit. He told them to turn to God with grief for their sins (repentance) and faith.

Events

Parallels

Exodus 32:1–35 Deuteronomy 9:7–29 Amos 5:16–27

People

Aaron: Moses' brother, first high priest of Israel Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus

Glossary

Apocalypse of James Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Circumcision Courts and Trials Golden Calf Hellenism Jerusalem Council Paul the Apostle Persecution Peter, the Apostle Stephen

Topics

Aaron: Makes the Golden Calf Apostasy: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Government: Constitutes Idolatry: The Jews: Brought, out of Egypt with Them Select Readings: Stephen's Defense