Our fathers had the tent of witness in the wilderness, according to the directions about its construction given to Moses, according to the pattern that he had seen. Our fathers in turn brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations which God thrust out before our fathers. And so it was until the days of David, who found favour in the sight of God and asked leave to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. But it was Solomon who built a house for Him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands; as the prophet says, 'Heaven is my throne, and earth my footstool. What house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?' You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.
In a Nutshell
Stephen brings his case to a close.
Questions
Has Stephen been too judgmental of the Council, do you think? He uses the phrases "stiff-necked" and "uncircumcised in heart and ears". Why?
Luke seems to have come across a verbatim court record of what Stephen said in his defence to the Council. We do not know, and probably Luke did not know, how Stephen delivered all that is stated here. We do not know of the interruptions. We do not know of the contribution of members of the Council like Gamaliel who, in an earlier confrontation, advised his fellow religious leaders to leave the apostles alone. We will note shortly that though a widespread persecution followed this Council confrontation, the apostles were indeed being left alone. I can't help wondering whether Stephen, as he progressed through his defence, saw the eyes of his accusers, saw the reactions of the Council, and realised that "the game was up." This indeed seems to have been a "replay" of an earlier trial when the Chief Priest tore his robes and agreed that the judgment of blasphemy was warranted. Then they had to take Jesus to the Roman Authorities because they could not execute Him themselves. Here, however, it is clear that Stephen knows the Council's power to order his stoning for his alleged crime. But that does not stop him from stating the case as it needed to be stated.
It is as if he is saying: "Stop denying the truth! Face up to what you have done!" It is the same message that the apostles had proclaimed since the day of Pentecost. God's mercy and forgiveness have been poured out. Listen to Moses! Listen to the Prophet Isaiah! The Lamb has been slain. It is over. Believe the good news.
But as we read this now, we know it as Luke's account of the death of Stephen. This wise and compassionate fellow, a loyal and faithful Jew who believed in Jesus, was becoming part of the story of rejection, and that culminates in his profession of faith about Jesus standing up for him (and us) at God's right hand.