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Selected Verse: Acts 7:48 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Ac 7:48 |
King James |
Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Howbeit - But. Stephen was charged with speaking against the temple. He had now shown that he had due veneration for it, by his declaring that it had been built by the command of God. But he "now" adds that God does not need such a temple. Heaven is his throne; the universe his dwelling-place; and "therefore" this temple might be destroyed. A new, glorious truth was to be revealed to mankind, that God was not "confined" in his worship to any age, or people, or nation. In entire consistency, therefore, with all proper respect for the temple at Jerusalem, it might be maintained that the time would come when that temple would be destroyed, and when God might be worshipped by all nations.
The Most High - God. This sentiment was expressed by Solomon when the temple was dedicated, Kg1 8:27.
As saith the prophet - Isa 66:1-2. The place is not literally quoted, but the sense is given. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
The Most High
In contrast with heathen gods, who were confined to their temples.
Temples made with hands (χειροποιήτοις ναοῖς)
The best texts omit ναοῖς, temples. The meaning is more general: in things made with hands. The expression is, however, used of a sanctuary in Isa 16:12 : "Moab shall come to his sanctuary (τὰ χειροποίητα)." The phrase work, or works of men's hands, is common in the Old Testament of idols. See Deu 4:28; Kg2 19:18; Ch2 32:19; Psa 115:4. Compare Mar 14:58; Eph 2:11; Heb 9:11, Heb 9:24; Co2 5:1. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Yet the Most High inhabiteth not temples made with hands - As Solomon declared at the very dedication of the temple, Kg1 8:27. The Most High - Whom as such no building can contain. Isa 66:1. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
The Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands - Here St. Stephen evidently refers to Solomon's speech, Kg1 8:27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house that I have builded? Both Solomon and St. Stephen mean that the majesty of God could not be contained, not even in the whole vortex of nature; much less in any temple which human hands could erect.
As saith the prophet - The place referred to is Isa 66:1, Isa 66:2 : Thus saith the Lord, the heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool. Where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest, etc., with which the quotation by Stephen agrees. |
1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
19 And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man.
18 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
12 And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.
1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?