The big picture
Acts 6 opens in verse 1 with “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 8 with “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.”, and closes in verse 15 with “And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been…” Repeated or prominent terms include disciples, faith, full, Holy, Stephen. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Acts · King James Version · 15Acts 6:1-8
1–8: In those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there…
Acts 6:1–8 opens with “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of…” and reaches “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Acts 6 develops its own movement around disciples, faith, full, Holy, Stephen, with particular weight carried by disciples, faith, full.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against…” Naming Grecians and Hebrews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and…” Naming Antioch and Ghost keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Acts 6:1-8
King James Version1And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Acts 6:9-15
9–15: There arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of…
Acts 6:9–15 opens with “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and…” and reaches “And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Acts 6 develops its own movement around disciples, faith, full, Holy, Stephen, with particular weight carried by blasphemous, council, face.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and…” Naming Alexandrians and Asia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.” The line’s distinctive content terms include able, resist, spake. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.
Acts 6:9-15
King James Version9Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
11Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
12And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
13And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
14For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
15And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Acts 6:1 begins with “And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were…”
Where the chapter turns
Acts 6:9 forms a natural hinge: “Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of…”
The final note
Acts 6:15 leaves the reader with “And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words disciples, faith, full, Holy, Stephen, word help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What repeated description explains the judgment?
The earth is corrupt and filled with violence, especially in verses 11-13.
What does obedience look like here?
Detailed preparation, gathering provisions and constructing what God commands.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- spake
- spoke
- wherefore
- for that reason
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.