Acts 6:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Unable to win the argument, Stephen's opponents secretly induce men to accuse him of blasphemy against Moses and against God.
What Does Acts 6:11 Mean?
Defeated in open debate, the adversaries change weapons. They privately put men up to a charge no court in Israel could ignore: blasphemous words against Moses and against God. The accusation inverts the truth, for Stephen proclaimed the God of Moses and the Prophet whom Moses foretold (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 7:37).
When truth cannot be answered, it is often slandered. The pattern is the Lord's own: false witness was sought against Jesus (Matthew 26:59-60), and the disciple is not above his master (Matthew 10:24-25). Stephen's path is bending toward his Lord's, and Luke means for us to see the resemblance. To be lied about for Christ's sake is to share, in some measure, His road — and His blessing (Matthew 5:11-12).
Acts 6:11 in the Original Language
hypoballo (ὑποβάλλω), 'suborned' -- to put men up to something secretly, coaching their testimony.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 6:11
What does Acts 6:11 mean?
Unable to win the argument, Stephen's opponents secretly induce men to accuse him of blasphemy against Moses and against God.