Acts 7:53
New International Version
you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

New Living Translation
You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”

English Standard Version
you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Berean Standard Bible
you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”

Berean Literal Bible
you who received the Law by the ordination of angels, and have not kept it."

King James Bible
Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

New King James Version
who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.

New American Standard Bible
you who received the Law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”

NASB 1995
you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”

NASB 1977
you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”

Legacy Standard Bible
you who received the Law as ordained by angels, and yet did not observe it.”

Amplified Bible
you who received the law as ordained and delivered to you by angels, and yet you did not obey it!”

Christian Standard Bible
You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.”

American Standard Version
ye who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not.

Contemporary English Version
Angels gave you God's Law, but you still don't obey it.

English Revised Version
ye who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You are the people who received Moses' Teachings, which were put into effect by angels. But you haven't obeyed those teachings."

Good News Translation
You are the ones who received God's law, that was handed down by angels--yet you have not obeyed it!"

International Standard Version
You received the Law as ordained by angels, and yet you haven't obeyed it!"

Majority Standard Bible
you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.?

NET Bible
You received the law by decrees given by angels, but you did not obey it."

New Heart English Bible
You received the Law as it was ordained by angels, and did not keep it."

Webster's Bible Translation
Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

Weymouth New Testament
you who received the Law given through angels, and yet have not obeyed it."

World English Bible
You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn’t keep it!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
who received the Law by arrangement of messengers, and did not keep [it].”

Berean Literal Bible
you who received the Law by the ordination of angels, and have not kept it."

Young's Literal Translation
who received the law by arrangement of messengers, and did not keep it.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Who have received the law by the regulations of messengers, and ye watched not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You received the law by the actions of Angels, and yet you have not kept it.”

New American Bible
You received the law as transmitted by angels, but you did not observe it.”

New Revised Standard Version
You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
You have received The Law by the visitation of Angels and have not kept it.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
who received the law by the appointment of angels, and have not kept it.

Godbey New Testament
who received the law in the administrations of angels, and did not keep it.

Haweis New Testament
who have received the law through arrangements of angels, yet have not observed it.

Mace New Testament
you, I say, who received the law by the administration of angels, but have not however observ'd it.

Weymouth New Testament
you who received the Law given through angels, and yet have not obeyed it."

Worrell New Testament
who, indeed, received the law as the ministrations of angels, and did not keep it."

Worsley New Testament
who received the law by the ministration of angels, and yet have not kept it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Stephen's Address to the Sanhedrin
52Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— 53you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.” 54On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him.…

Cross References
Galatians 3:19
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

Hebrews 2:2
For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment,

Deuteronomy 33:2
He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.

Psalm 68:17
The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai.

Exodus 19:1-25
In the third month, on the same day of the month that the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. / After they had set out from Rephidim, they entered the Wilderness of Sinai, and Israel camped there in front of the mountain. / Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, “This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel: ...

Exodus 20:1-17
And God spoke all these words: / “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. / You shall have no other gods before Me. ...

John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:2
Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Romans 9:4
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.

Hebrews 1:1
On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets.

Hebrews 12:18-21
For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm; / to a trumpet blast or to a voice that made its hearers beg that no further word be spoken. / For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” ...

2 Corinthians 3:7-11
Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? / For if the ministry of condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry of righteousness! ...

Matthew 5:17-19
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. / So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 23:2-3
“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

Luke 16:29-31
But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let your brothers listen to them.’ / ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone is sent to them from the dead, they will repent.’ / Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”


Treasury of Scripture

Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

have received.

Exodus 19:1-20:26
In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai…

Deuteronomy 33:2
And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

Psalm 68:17
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.

and have.

Ezekiel 20:18-21
But I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols: …

John 7:19
Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

Romans 2:23-25
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? …

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Angels Arrangement Delivered Disposition Effect It' It Kept Law Messengers Ministry Obeyed Ordained Ordered Received
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Angels Arrangement Delivered Disposition Effect It' It Kept Law Messengers Ministry Obeyed Ordained Ordered Received
Acts 7
1. Stephen, permitted to answer to the accusation of blasphemy,
2. shows that Abraham worshipped God rightly, and how God chose the fathers,
20. before Moses was born, and before the tabernacle and temple were built;
37. that Moses himself witnessed of Christ;
44. and that all outward ceremonies were ordained to last but for a time;
51. reprehending their rebellion, and murdering of Christ, whom the prophets foretold.
54. Whereupon they stone Stephen to death,
59. who commends his soul to Jesus, and humbly prays for them.














you who received the law
This phrase refers to the Jewish people, specifically the religious leaders, who were entrusted with the Mosaic Law. The Law was given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, as described in Exodus 19-20. It was a significant covenant between God and His chosen people, setting them apart from other nations. The Law included moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations that were meant to guide the Israelites in their relationship with God and with each other.

ordained by angels
The involvement of angels in the giving of the Law is mentioned in several places in Scripture, such as Galatians 3:19 and Hebrews 2:2. This suggests that angels played a role as mediators in the transmission of the Law from God to Moses. The presence of angels underscores the divine authority and sacredness of the Law, highlighting its importance in the Jewish faith.

yet have not kept it.
This phrase is a direct accusation against the Jewish leaders for their failure to adhere to the very Law they received. Despite their knowledge and outward observance, they often missed the Law's deeper spiritual and moral requirements. This critique echoes the words of the prophets, who frequently called out Israel for their disobedience (e.g., Isaiah 1:10-17, Jeremiah 7:21-26). It also aligns with Jesus' own rebukes of the Pharisees and scribes for their hypocrisy (Matthew 23:23-28). The failure to keep the Law points to the need for a savior, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who perfectly kept the Law and offered redemption through His sacrifice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Stephen
A deacon in the early church, known for his faith and filled with the Holy Spirit. He is the speaker in this passage, delivering a powerful sermon before the Sanhedrin.

2. Sanhedrin
The Jewish ruling council, consisting of religious leaders who were responsible for maintaining Jewish law and order. They are the audience of Stephen's speech.

3. Angels
Spiritual beings who, according to Jewish tradition, were involved in the mediation of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai.

4. The Law
Refers to the Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, which includes the commandments and regulations found in the first five books of the Old Testament.

5. Mount Sinai
The place where Moses received the Law from God, a significant event in Jewish history.
Teaching Points
The Role of Angels in Delivering the Law
Understanding the Jewish tradition that angels were involved in the giving of the Law highlights the sacredness and divine origin of the Law.

The Responsibility of Receiving the Law
Receiving the Law comes with the responsibility to obey it. Stephen's accusation points out the failure of the religious leaders to live up to this responsibility.

The Danger of Hypocrisy
The religious leaders prided themselves on their knowledge of the Law, yet Stephen accuses them of not keeping it. This serves as a warning against hypocrisy in our own lives.

The Fulfillment of the Law in Christ
While the Law was given through angels, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ. Believers are called to live by the Spirit, which empowers them to fulfill the righteous requirements of the Law.

The Importance of Obedience
True faith is demonstrated through obedience to God's commands. This passage challenges believers to examine their own lives for areas where they may be falling short.(53) Who have received . . .--More accurately, who received.

By the disposition of angels.--Better, as ordained of angels; or, more literally, as ordinances of angels. The Greek preposition cannot possibly have the meaning of "by." The phrase expressed the current Jewish belief that angels were the intermediate agents through whom Israel received the Law; that it was their voice that was heard on Sinai. Here also St. Paul, in speaking of the Law as "ordained by angels" (Galatians 3:19), reproduced St. Stephen. Comp. also Hebrews 2:2 and Jos. Ant. xv. 4, ? 3, for like statements. The idea rested mainly on the LXX. version of Deuteronomy 33:2, "on His right hand were angels with Him" and "the thousands of angels" as connected with Sinai in Psalm 68:17.

Verse 53. - Ye who received for who have received, A.V. ; as it was ordained by angels for by the disposition of angels, A.V.; kept it not for hove not kept it, A.V. Ordained by angels. This phrase, thus differently rendered (εἰς διαταγὰς ἀγγέλων), is one of extreme difficulty: διαταγή means properly appointment," or "ordinance," as in Romans 13:2; and εἰς, which has a great variety of uses in the Greek of the New Testament, means "at," or "upon," or "on the occasion of," as Matthew 12:41, "At the preaching of Jonah." So here they received the Law "at" or "on the occasion of," the "ordering" or "appointing" of angels. When the angels, who were commissioned by God and spoke in his Name, gave the Law, the Israelites so received it. The A.V., "by the disposition of angels" very nearly ex- presses the true sense. Another sense of εἰς - "in view of" - comes to nearly the same thing. St. Paul speaks of the part taken by the angels in the giving of the Law, and in language strikingly resembling the text. He says of it, that it was "ordained through ['by,' A V] angels" God ordained or appointed the Law, but the angels were the instruments or ministers of its promulgation. And it is also distinctly referred to in Deuteronomy 33:2, where the LXX. read, "On his right hand the angels were with him." In the foregoing verses the application which Stephen had all through been contemplating is hurled with accumulated force at the consciences of his hearers, and cuts them to the heart, but does not bring them to repentance.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[you] who
οἵτινες (hoitines)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

have received
ἐλάβετε (elabete)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Law
νόμον (nomon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

ordained
διαταγὰς (diatagas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1296: Ordaining, ordinance, disposition. From diatasso; arrangement, i.e. Institution.

by
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

angels,
ἀγγέλων (angelōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.

yet
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

have not kept [it].”
ἐφυλάξατε (ephylaxate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 5442: Probably from phule through the idea of isolation; to watch, i.e. Be on guard; by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid.


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