Acts 6:14 Meaning and Explanation
“For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The witnesses claim Stephen said that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the temple and change the customs Moses delivered.
What Does Acts 6:14 Mean?
The testimony grows specific: Stephen allegedly said Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple and change the customs handed down from Moses. It is the same distorted charge raised at Jesus' own trial (Mark 14:57-58). Jesus had foretold the temple's destruction (Luke 21:6) and spoken of the temple of His body, to be raised in three days (John 2:19-21) — words bent here into a threat.
There is irony in the slander: what the accusers report as menace, God intends as salvation. Jesus fulfills what the temple and the customs pointed toward — not despising Moses, but being the very Prophet Moses promised (Deuteronomy 18:15). The charge is false in spirit, yet it brushes against a truth too large for the accusers to see; Stephen's defense in chapter 7 will trace it through their whole history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 6:14
What does Acts 6:14 mean?
The witnesses claim Stephen said that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the temple and change the customs Moses delivered.