Acts 6:13 (KJV)

What does Acts 6:13 mean?

Acts 6:13 describes how certain people brought forward false witnesses who accused Stephen of constantly speaking blasphemous words against the temple and the Jewish law. The verse highlights that these accusations were not truthful but were made to discredit Stephen.

In this scene, Stephen is on trial before the Jewish council (the Sanhedrin), and those opposed to him are trying to build a case by using dishonest testimony. The charge of blasphemy against the "holy place" (the temple) and "the law" shows the seriousness of the accusations, as both were central to Jewish faith and identity at the time.

The Greek behind Acts 6:13

• ψευδεῖς (pseudēs, "false"): This word means deliberately untrue or lying, emphasizing that the witnesses were knowingly giving dishonest testimony.
• βλάσφημα (blasphēma, "blasphemous"): This word refers to speech that insults or shows contempt for what is considered sacred, underlining the gravity of the charge against Stephen.
• τόπος (topos, "place"): Here, "place" refers specifically to the temple, which was the central and most sacred site for Jewish worship.
• νόμος (nomos, "law"): This word means the Jewish law, or Torah, showing that Stephen was accused of speaking against the foundational teachings of Judaism.

Why Acts 6:13 matters

• This verse clarifies that the accusations against Stephen were not based on truth but were the result of a deliberate attempt to silence him.
• The focus on the temple and the law shows how central these were to Jewish leaders and why the charges would have been so serious in their eyes.
• Understanding this verse helps set the stage for Stephen’s defense in the following chapter, and it highlights the opposition faced by early followers of Jesus.