Section 6:8–15
Some Jews seized Stephen and took him to court
In this section, Luke wrote that Stephen had done many miracles. With his Greek name, he had probably grown up outside of Judea. Some other Jews were members of the Synagogue of Freedmen, which probably means that they had also grown up outside of Judea. They and other Jews who had grown up outside of Judea argued with Stephen.
They told lies about him and then forced him to stand before the Sanhedrin to be judged. They told their lies in court but the Sanhedrin saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
Some men/Jews lie about Stephen before the Sanhedrin
-or-
Some people/Jews oppose Stephen
Paragraph 6:8–10
6:8a
Now: Here this word introduces a story about Stephen. It is not a time word here.
who was full of grace and power:
Here the word grace refers to favor or kindness from God. It probably refers to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Luke did not tell us which gifts. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
a man full of God’s favor
-or-
a man very gifted by God
6:8b
was performing great wonders and signs among the people: The Greek indicates that Stephen did these wonders and signs on various days, rather than all at once.
wonders: This word refers to an amazing action or event that indicates something. These things are not the usual kinds of actions or events. They cause people to be amazed. Here are some other ways to translate this word:
amazing occurrences/events
-or-
portents
See how you translated this word in 2:19 or 5:12.
signs: Here this word refers to the kinds of miracles which are regarded as having some special meaning. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
miracles ⌊with special meaning⌋
-or-
supernatural occurrences/events ⌊with special meaning⌋
See how you translated this word in 2:19 or 5:12.
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