The Death Of Stephen -- By: P. A. Blair
Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 02:1 (Winter 1956)
Article: The Death Of Stephen
Author: P. A. Blair
TynBul 2:1 (1956) p. 2
The Death Of Stephen
The prominent position given by Luke to Stephen’s speech in Acts vii is acknowledged by all. So is its connection with Saul’s conversion, which is hinted at in 7:58. But it is possible that the formal connection made in
8. I between ch. 7 and the events of ch. 8 covers a very much deeper and larger conception in Luke’s mind than is generally realised: that these two chapters with their continuation in ch. 9 and onwards draw out the full significance of the death of Christ for all men, not simply as a forecast of the future but as a practical reality.
The starting point of this investigation must be the charge preferred against Stephen. In 6:11 the suborned men accuse Stephen of speaking against the Law; in 6:13 f. the charge is expanded, and the parallel with Jesus made explicitly: (R.S.V.) “This man never ceases to speak words “Jesus of Nazareth will destroy against this holy place and the Law.” this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
TynBul 2:1 (1956) p. 3
The whole “frame up” against Stephen is highly suggestive. Why is it that in the Gospel story (Lk. 22:66 ff.) no mention is made by Luke of the testimony of the false witnesses, although their presence is implied rather inconsequentially in v. 71? Both Matthew and Mark make much of them at the trial (Mt. 26:59 ff. Mk. 14:56 ff. and cf. the taunt of the bystanders at the crucifixion—Mk. 15:29 and Mt. 27:40) even though the witnesses were inconsistent and apparently did not succeed in establishing their accusation. Luke omits the false witnesses in the Gospel but introduces them in Acts, not simply to condemn Stephen for his own assertions, but to condemn him as quoting Jesus’ declaration against the Temple and the Law. Surely this is not accidental. I suggest that this is the first implicit declaration by Luke of his understanding of Stephen’s death and the expansion recorded in Acts viii. Looking back from beyond Pentecost, after the Church had extended throughout the world, Luke sees that Jesus’ words quoted by...
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