Acts 6:14
New International Version
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

New Living Translation
We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

English Standard Version
for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”

Berean Standard Bible
For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

Berean Literal Bible
For we have heard him saying that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us."

King James Bible
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

New King James Version
for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”

New American Standard Bible
for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

NASB 1995
for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

NASB 1977
for we have heard him say that this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

Legacy Standard Bible
for we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.”

Amplified Bible
for we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will tear down this place and will change the traditions and customs which Moses handed down to us.”

Christian Standard Bible
For we heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For we heard him say that Jesus, this Nazarene, will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

American Standard Version
for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.

Contemporary English Version
We have heard him claim that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses gave us."

English Revised Version
for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We heard him say that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy the temple and change the customs that Moses gave us."

Good News Translation
We heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will tear down the Temple and change all the customs which have come down to us from Moses!"

International Standard Version
For we have heard him say that this Jesus from Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us."

Majority Standard Bible
For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.?

NET Bible
For we have heard him saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us."

New Heart English Bible
For we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us."

Webster's Bible Translation
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.

Weymouth New Testament
For we have heard him say that Jesus, the Nazarene, will pull this place down to the ground and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us."

World English Bible
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarean will overthrow this place, and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us”;

Berean Literal Bible
For we have heard him saying that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us."

Young's Literal Translation
for we have heard him saying, That this Jesus the Nazarean shall overthrow this place, and shall change the customs that Moses delivered to us;'

Smith's Literal Translation
For we have heard him saying; That Jesus the Nazarite shall abolish this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered to us.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the traditions which Moses delivered unto us.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and will change the traditions, which Moses handed down to us.”

New American Bible
For we have heard him claim that this Jesus the Nazorean will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

New Revised Standard Version
for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this country and shall change the customs which Moses entrusted to you.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“We have heard him say that Yeshua the Nazarene will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to you.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.

Godbey New Testament
for we have heard him saying, that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.

Haweis New Testament
for we have heard him affirm, that Jesus the Nazarean, even he, will destroy this place, and change the accustomed ordinances which Moses delivered to us.

Mace New Testament
for we have heard him say, that Jesus the Nazarene shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses delivered us.

Weymouth New Testament
For we have heard him say that Jesus, the Nazarene, will pull this place down to the ground and will change the customs which Moses handed down to us."

Worrell New Testament
for we have heard him say, that This Jesus, the Nazarene, will overthrow this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us."

Worsley New Testament
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and change the rites which Moses delivered to us.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Arrest of Stephen
13where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” 15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.…

Cross References
Matthew 26:61
and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

Mark 14:58
“We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple, and in three days I will build another that is made without hands.’”

John 2:19-21
Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.

Matthew 24:2
“Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Mark 13:2
“Do you see all these great buildings?” Jesus replied. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Luke 21:6
“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

John 4:21
“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

Matthew 5:17
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.

John 5:46
If you had believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me.

Hebrews 9:11
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation.

Hebrews 9:24
For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.

Hebrews 8:2
and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.

Hebrews 3:3
For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? / If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Ephesians 2:20-22
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. / In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. / And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.


Treasury of Scripture

For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

we have.

Acts 25:8
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

that.

Isaiah 66:1-6
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? …

Jeremiah 7:4-14
Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these…

Jeremiah 26:6-9,12,18
Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth…

change.

Isaiah 65:15
And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:

Isaiah 66:19-21
And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles…

Hosea 3:4
For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:

customs.

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Alter Change Changes Customs Delivered Destroy Destruction Ground Handed Heard Hearing Jesus Moses Nazarene Nazareth Pull Rules Taught Us
Acts 6
1. The apostles, desirous to have the poor cared for,
2. as also careful themselves to dispense the word of God, the food of the soul,
3. recommend,
5. and with the church's consent ordain seven chosen men to the office of deaconship.
7. The word of God prevails,
8. Stephen, full of faith and the Holy Spirit, confuting those with whom he disputed,
12. is brought before the council,
13. and falsely accused of blasphemy against the law and the temple.














For we heard him say
This phrase indicates the testimony of the false witnesses against Stephen. The Greek word for "heard" is "ἀκούω" (akouo), which implies not just hearing but understanding or perceiving. In the context of Acts, this reflects the tension between the early Christians and the Jewish authorities. The witnesses claim to have understood Stephen's message, yet their interpretation is skewed, highlighting the frequent misinterpretation of Jesus' teachings by those who opposed Him.

that this Jesus of Nazareth
The reference to "Jesus of Nazareth" is significant. "Nazareth" was a small, seemingly insignificant town, yet it became central to Jesus' identity. The use of "this" in Greek, "οὗτος" (houtos), can imply a dismissive tone, reflecting the contempt of the accusers. Historically, Jesus' association with Nazareth fulfilled Old Testament prophecies and challenged societal expectations, emphasizing God's use of the humble and lowly to accomplish His purposes.

will destroy this place
The phrase "destroy this place" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central symbol of Jewish faith and identity. The Greek word for "destroy" is "καταλύω" (katalyo), meaning to dissolve or dismantle. This accusation echoes Jesus' own words about the destruction of the temple (John 2:19), which He used metaphorically to speak of His death and resurrection. Theologically, it points to the transition from the old covenant, centered on the temple, to the new covenant, centered on Christ.

and change the customs
The word "change" in Greek is "ἀλλάσσω" (allasso), meaning to transform or exchange. This reflects the fear among Jewish leaders that the new Christian movement threatened their traditional practices. Historically, the early church did indeed bring about significant changes, emphasizing faith in Christ over adherence to the law. This transformation was not a rejection of the law but its fulfillment in Jesus.

Moses handed down to us
"Moses" is a central figure in Jewish history, representing the law and covenant. The Greek word for "handed down" is "παραδίδωμι" (paradidomi), meaning to deliver or entrust. This phrase underscores the deep reverence for Mosaic law among the Jews. Stephen's message, however, was not about abolishing the law but about its fulfillment in Christ. Theologically, this highlights the continuity and fulfillment of God's plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, with Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God's will.

(14) This Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place.--The accusation rested in part on the words of John 2:19, partly on the prediction of Matthew 24:2, which Stephen must have known, and may well have reproduced. It would seem to the accusers a natural inference that He who had uttered the prediction should be the chief agent in its fulfilment.

And shall change the customs.--The words seem to have been used in a half-technical sense as including the whole complex system of the Mosaic law, its ritual, its symbolism, its laws and rules of life, circumcision, the Sabbath, the distinction of clean and unclean meats (Acts 15:1; Acts 21:21; Acts 26:3; Acts 28:17). . . .

Verse 14. - Unto us for us, A.V. We have heard him say, etc. These false witnesses, like those who distorted our Lord's words (Matthew 26:61; John 2:19), doubtless based their accusation upon some semblance of truth. If Stephen had said anything like what Jesus said to the woman of Samaria (John 4:21) or to his disciples (Mark 13:2), or what the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews wrote (8. 13), or what St. Paul wrote to the Colossians (Colossians 2:16, 17), his words might easily be misrepresented by false witnesses, whose purpose it was to swear away his life. This Jesus of Nazareth. The phrase is most contemptuous. This (οῦτος), so often rendered in the A.V. "this fellow" (Matthew 26:61, 71; John 9:29, etc.), is of itself an opprobrious expression (comp. Acts 7:40), and the ὁ Ναζωραῖος, the Nazarene, is intended to be still more so.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

we have heard
ἀκηκόαμεν (akēkoamen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

him
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

say
λέγοντος (legontos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

of
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Nazareth
Ναζωραῖος (Nazōraios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3480: A Nazarene, an inhabitant of Nazareth. From Nazareth; a Nazoraean, i.e. Inhabitant of Nazareth; by extension, a Christian.

will destroy
καταλύσει (katalysei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2647: From kata and luo; to loosen down, i.e. to demolish; specially to halt for the night.

this
τοῦτον (touton)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

place
τόπον (topon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5117: Apparently a primary word; a spot, i.e. Location; figuratively, condition, opportunity; specially, a scabbard.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

change
ἀλλάξει (allaxei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 236: To change, alter, exchange, transform. From allos; to make different.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

customs
ἔθη (ethē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1485: A custom, habit; an institute, rite. From etho; a usage.

that
(ha)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

Moses
Μωϋσῆς (Mōusēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3475: Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.

handed down
παρέδωκεν (paredōken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3860: From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit.

to us.”
ἡμῖν (hēmin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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Acts 6:13
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