RSV ~ Acts 6 Notes

Acts 6:1-6 | ISB Notes

The earliest Jerusalem Church was composed entirely of believers from Israel; some were Hellenists, and some were Hebrews. The Hellenists were Greek-speaking immigrants who had come to Jerusalem from various Jewish settlements throughout the Roman world. The Hebrews were Aramaic-speaking natives who lived in Palestine. Tensions eventually rose between the groups and led to discrimination and injustice against widows, who were especially vulnerable in ancient society and depended on the assistance of others for their livelihood (Deut 26:12; Jas 1:27).

Acts 6:3 | ISB Notes

seven men: All of the names listed in 6:5 are Greek names, suggesting that the seven men were Hellenists chosen to represent the interests of their own community. This promoted fairness, inasmuch as the Greek-speaking community raised the complaint in the first place (6:1).

Acts 6:4 | ISB Notes

devote ourselves: The Twelve continued to address the spiritual needs of the community by praying and preaching, while the Seven focused on meeting its material needs by acts of service.

Acts 6:6 | ISB Notes

laid their hands: A symbolic gesture of consecration and commission (13:3; Num 27:18-23).

• Several considerations suggest the Seven are the first ordained deacons of the Church. (1) The laying on of hands is elsewhere linked with the sacramental sign of ordination (1 Tim 4:14); (2) the men are commissioned “to serve” (6:2), which translates a Greek verb related to the noun “deacon” (Phil 1:1); and (3) their ministry also includes preaching (8:5) and baptizing (8:12). In Catholic tradition, the diaconate is the first level of Holy Orders and conforms the recipient to Christ the Servant (Lk 22:27; CCC 1569-70).

Acts 6:7 | ISB Notes

many of the priests: Converts came from the priestly ranks of the Sadducees, who formed the Temple establishment, and possibly, too, from an Essene group of priests who lived in the southwestern quarter of Jerusalem.

Acts 6:8-7 | ISB Notes

The ministry and martyrdom of Stephen, one of the Seven (6:5). His death was the end result of tensions that escalated from debate (6:8-10) to false accusations (6:11-14) to an eruption of mob violence (7:57-58). Luke deliberately portrays these events in terms that recall the trial and death of Jesus. Parallels include testimony from false witnesses (6:13; Mt 26:60), reports that Jesus would destroy the Temple (6:14; Mt 26:61), visions of the Son of man in heaven (7:56; Lk 22:69), prayers of surrender to God (7:59; Lk 23:46), and petitions of forgiveness for the executioners (7:60; Lk 23:34).

Acts 6:9 | ISB Notes

the Freedmen: A synagogue assembly of Hellenistic Jews. Its founding members were probably emancipated slaves who had returned to Jerusalem from Italy. By this time it also included Jewish settlers from significant cities in North Africa (Cyrene, Alexandria) and from two Roman provinces in Asia Minor (Cilicia, Asia).

Acts 6:11 | ISB Notes

blasphemous words: An accusation that looms large in the following episode.

• It is calculated to evoke Lev 24:16, which prescribes death by stoning for the blasphemer (7:58).

Acts 6:12 | ISB Notes

before the council: Stephen is arraigned before the Jewish high court. See note on Acts 5:21.

Acts 6:13 | ISB Notes

this holy place: The Jerusalem Temple (21:28). Although Luke assigns the accusations in 6:13-14 to false witnesses, it is clear from the speech in 7:1-53 that Stephen was in fact openly critical of the most cherished symbols of Jewish identity: the Torah and the Temple.