And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

ACTS 6:13KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“false” Greek G5571 · used in 3 verses

  • Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
  • Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

“blasphemous” Greek G989 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
  • 1 Timothy 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
  • 2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

“ceaseth” Greek G3973 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 5:4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
  • Acts 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
  • Ephesians 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

“witnesses” Greek G3144 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
  • Acts 10:41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
  • 1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.