The Scripture quote in verses 49-50 comes from Isaiah 66.1-2, and follows the Septuagint closely. Footstool is used in this passage as an illustration of the greatness of God, for whom the whole world is merely a small footstool; the significance of a footstool is different in the earlier passage (2.35), where it is a figure of subjection.

What kind of house correctly translates the force of the qualitative interrogative in Greek.

In many cultures there is no equivalent to a throne as a seat of authority. One may, however, render this first clause of verse 49 as “heaven is the place from which I rule.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .