Acts 6:11
What does Acts 6:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 6:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 6:11 means
Unable to overcome Stephen through debate, his adversaries resorted to underhanded tactics. They secretly incited men to falsely claim that they had heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against both Moses and God. This act of subornation reveals the malicious intent of his accusers, who fabricated charges when they could not defeat him with truth. These accusations struck at the core of Jewish identity and religious reverence, laying the groundwork for serious legal and religious repercussions and showing how far opponents would go to silence the gospel message.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then they got men to say, He has said evil against Moses and against God, in our hearing.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862then they suborned men, saying--`We have heard him speaking evil sayings in regard to Moses and God.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then they suborned men to say they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then they suborned men, saying, We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses andGod.
Context
Following their failed attempts to refute Stephen's wisdom and Spirit-filled speech in verse 10, this verse describes the specific, dishonest method his opponents employed to undermine him. It introduces the false accusations that will lead to his arrest and trial. This act of subterfuge marks a significant escalation in the opposition against Stephen, moving from debate to calumny.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 26:59
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
- John 10:33
The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
- Acts 15:21
For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.
- Acts 23:12
And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
- John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
- Acts 6:13
and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:
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