Topical Bible: Anger: Jews, Against Stephen

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The account of the Jews' anger against Stephen is a significant event in the early Christian church, illustrating the tension between the nascent Christian movement and the established Jewish religious authorities. This episode is primarily documented in the Book of Acts, specifically in Acts 6 and 7.

Stephen, one of the seven deacons chosen by the early church to serve and minister to the needs of the community, was described as "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). His ministry was marked by great wonders and signs among the people, which drew the attention and ire of certain members of the Jewish community, particularly those from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Acts 6:9).

The anger against Stephen was fueled by his powerful preaching and the wisdom with which he spoke, which his opponents could not refute. As a result, they resorted to deceit, secretly persuading men to accuse Stephen of blasphemy against Moses and God (Acts 6:11). This accusation was a serious charge, as blasphemy was considered a capital offense under Jewish law.

Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, where false witnesses testified against him, claiming, "This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law" (Acts 6:13). The charges centered on Stephen's alleged statements about Jesus of Nazareth and the destruction of the temple, which were perceived as threats to the Jewish religious system and traditions.

In his defense, Stephen delivered a profound and lengthy speech, recounting the history of Israel and highlighting the consistent pattern of resistance against God's messengers. He accused the Jewish leaders of betraying and murdering the Righteous One, Jesus Christ, and of resisting the Holy Spirit, just as their ancestors had done (Acts 7:51-52).

Stephen's words cut to the heart of the council members, provoking intense anger. Acts 7:54 describes their reaction: "On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him." This visceral response underscores the depth of their fury and the threat they perceived in Stephen's message.

The culmination of their anger led to Stephen's martyrdom. As he declared his vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God, the crowd could no longer contain their rage. They dragged him out of the city and stoned him, with Saul (later known as the Apostle Paul) consenting to his death (Acts 7:57-58).

Stephen's martyrdom marked a pivotal moment in the early church, as it intensified the persecution of Christians in Jerusalem. Despite the violence and anger directed against him, Stephen's steadfast faith and his prayer for forgiveness for his executioners (Acts 7:60) exemplify the transformative power of the Gospel and the call to love one's enemies.

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Acts 7:54-58
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
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Library

The First Christian Martyr
... At this, priests and rulers were beside themselves with anger. ... cruel work and secretly
aided the Jews in order ... Satan to carry out his rebellion against the Son ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 10 the first christian.htm

The Disputes of the Faithful to be Settled by the Decisions of the ...
... of the Jews against our Lord at Jerusalem, [2805] and against Stephen His first
martyr. [2806] Let the witnesses therefore be meek, free from anger, full of ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec vi the disputes of the.htm

Acts vi. 8
... if one look closely into the matter, the Jews are of ... make thy stand against the tyranny
of pride, against the fighting of anger, against the torment ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xv acts vi 8.htm

The Riot at Philippi
... of religion imperfect, is higher than mere anger at pecuniary ... up together [with the
slave-owners] against Paul and ... and seeing only a couple of Jews from nobody ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the riot at philippi.htm

Against the Arians, and Concerning Himself.
... I have reckoned as Martyrs those who incurred anger for the ... what has been done on
the other side against me ... hot tempered and imperfect" God of the Jews; and the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxiii against the arians.htm

Index of Subjects.
... in us as a safeguard to virtue, [70]111; virtuous anger how shown ... not that Ananias
was the high-priest, [698]289; the Jews' malignity against him, [699 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/index of subjects.htm

All the Apostles Urge the Observance of the Order of the Church.
... his forehead); and provoke Christ Jesus to anger, who has ... us, or against the bishops,
but against the universal ... was stoned to death by the Jews, the murderers ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v all the apostles urge.htm

Acts xxii. 17-20
... know for what cause they so clamored against him." And ... are the words of boldness,
rather than of anger; he did ... about to be delivered up to the Jews, his being ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlviii acts xxii 17-20.htm

John vii. 37, 38
... if when we go not beyond the righteousness of the Jews, the Kingdom is shut against
us, how ... Let us then cast out all bitterness, and wrath, and anger. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily li john vii 37.htm

Heralds of the Gospel
... truth, and the Lord, in righteous anger, caused his ... But when the Jews saw the multitudes,
they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm