1
Ἐν δὲ ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις πληθυνόντων τῶν μαθητῶν ἐγένετο γογγυσμὸς τῶν Ἑλληνιστῶν πρὸς τοὺς Ἑβραίους, ὅτι παρεθεωροῦντο ἐν τῇ διακονίᾳ τῇ καθημερινῇ αἱ χῆραι αὐτῶν.
Now in those days, as the disciples were increasing, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
The temporal phrase Ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ταύταις ('in those days') opens a new episode. The genitive absolute πληθυνόντων τῶν μαθητῶν provides the circumstance of growth against which the internal tension is introduced. The complaint (γογγυσμός) signals the first significant crack in the young community.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
Ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)
δέnowcontinuative/transitional particle
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of time (temporal frame)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the plural in a temporal phrase marks a period of time.
ταύταιςtheseDativedemonstrative adjective (attributive)
πληθυνόντωνincreasingPres Act Ptcp Gen Pl M · πληθύνωgenitive absolute (circumstantial — temporal/causal)→ progressive present (ongoing growth)πληθύνω: 'to multiply, increase'; an Actian growth-summary verb; cf. vv.7; 7:17; 9:31; 12:24.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (gen. abs. subject)
μαθητῶνdisciplesGenitivegenitive subject of absoluteμαθητής: 'disciple, learner'; Luke's preferred designation for the Jerusalem community in Acts.
ἐγένετοaroseAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential)→ constative aorist (event as whole)γίνομαι: 'to become, arise, happen'; ἐγένετο + noun = 'there arose X.'
γογγυσμὸςcomplaintNominativenominative subjectγογγυσμός: 'grumbling, complaint'; a word with LXX overtones of wilderness murmuring (Exod 16); its use here is deliberate — the community re-enacts Israel's pattern.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἙλληνιστῶνHellenistsGenitivesubjective genitive (source of complaint)Ἑλληνιστής: 'Hellenist'; a NT hapax in plural here and 9:29; 11:20; refers to Greek-speaking Jewish Christians whose primary language was Greek (LXX, not Hebrew/Aramaic scripture).
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (opposition/direction)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἙβραίουςHebrewsAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςἙβραῖος: 'Hebrew'; here Aramaic-speaking Jewish Christians; the contrast between Hellenist and Hebrew is linguistic and cultural within the messianic community.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
παρεθεωροῦντοwere being overlookedImpf Pass Indic 3 Pl · παραθεωρέωmain verb of ὅτι clause (passive)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing neglect)παραθεωρέω: 'to overlook, neglect'; NT hapax; the passive implies systemic neglect rather than a single incident; the imperfect marks it as a continuing problem.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
διακονίᾳdistribution / serviceDativedative of sphere (domain of action)διακονία: 'service, ministry, distribution'; the cognate of διακονεῖν (v.2) and διάκονος; here the concrete act of distributing food, but the word carries the full weight of ministry.
τῇtheDativearticle
καθημερινῇdailyDativeattributive adjectiveκαθημερινός: 'daily'; NT hapax; describes the regular distribution, presumably of food at communal meals or food assistance.
αἱtheNominativearticle
χῆραιwidowsNominativenominative subject (of passive)χήρα: 'widow'; widows were among the most vulnerable in antiquity; the early church's table care for them echoes Deut 14:29; 24:19–21 and the prophetic tradition.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive
2
προσκαλεσάμενοι δὲ οἱ δώδεκα τὸ πλῆθος τῶν μαθητῶν εἶπαν· Οὐκ ἀρεστόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς καταλείψαντας τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ διακονεῖν τραπέζαις·
And the Twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should leave the word of God to serve tables.'
The Twelve respond to the complaint with a corporate summons and a principled declaration. The negative οὐκ ἀρεστόν ('it is not pleasing/right') expresses the theological priority: the apostolic calling is the ministry of the word (v.4), not the administration of relief, though the latter is equally necessary and is entrusted to others.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
προσκαλεσάμενοιhaving summonedAor Mid Ptcp Nom Pl M · προσκαλέωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist (single act)προσκαλέω: 'to call to oneself, summon'; middle voice = summoning to one's presence; frequent in Acts for official calling.
δέandcontinuative particle
οἱtheNominativearticle
δώδεκαtwelveNominativenominative subjectδώδεκα: 'twelve'; the apostolic college; Acts uses the title absolutely, as here, after Matthias restores the number.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πλῆθοςfull numberAccusativeaccusative direct objectπλῆθος: 'multitude, full number, assembly'; Luke's term for the gathered community (also 4:32; 15:12); here the entire Jerusalem church is convened.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
μαθητῶνdisciplesGenitivepartitive/descriptive genitiveμαθητής: 'disciple'; the gathered Jerusalem community.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aorist
Οὐκnotnegation
ἀρεστόνright / pleasingNominativepredicate adjectiveἀρεστός: 'pleasing, acceptable'; before God (cf. 1 John 3:22) or in the moral sense 'fitting'; the Twelve frame their priority as a matter of fittingness, not inconvenience.
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ gnomic present
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
καταλείψανταςhaving left / abandoningAor Act Ptcp Acc Pl M · καταλείπωaccusative participial modifier (predicate of ἡμᾶς)→ constative aoristκαταλείπω: 'to leave behind, forsake'; the force is abandonment: the Twelve's calling is the word, and to abandon it would be wrong.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λόγονwordAccusativeaccusative direct object of καταλείψανταςλόγος: 'word'; shorthand in Acts for the proclaimed gospel (τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ); cf. v.7 'the word of God increased.'
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source/authorθεός: 'God'; the word's divine origin and authority.
διακονεῖνto servePres Act Inf · διακονέωepexegetical infinitive (elaborating ἀρεστόν)→ progressive present (ongoing serving)διακονέω: 'to serve, minister, wait on tables'; cognate with διακονία (v.1) and the later institution of the διάκονος (deacon); serving tables is a genuine ministry, though not the apostles' specific calling.
τραπέζαιςtablesDativedative of reference (serving with respect to tables)τράπεζα: 'table'; the daily distribution of food; some propose a secondary meaning of financial accounting tables, but the primary sense is the communal food service.
3
ἐπισκέψασθε δέ, ἀδελφοί, ἄνδρας ἐξ ὑμῶν μαρτυρουμένους ἑπτά, πλήρεις πνεύματος καὶ σοφίας, οὓς καταστήσομεν ἐπὶ τῆς χρείας ταύτης·
Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this task.
The Twelve issue a community directive using the imperative ἐπισκέψασθε ('select, look out for'). The criteria — attestation by the community, fullness of the Spirit, and wisdom — reflect the qualifications later systematized for elders in the Pastoral Epistles. The relative clause οὓς καταστήσομεν indicates apostolic appointment over congregational election.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἐπισκέψασθεselect / look outAor Mid Imper 2 Pl · ἐπισκέπτομαιmain verb (imperative directive)→ constative aorist imperative (decisive action)ἐπισκέπτομαι: 'to look upon, select, visit'; the sense here is to seek out and select; cf. 15:36 (visit brethren); the word will echo in Stephen's later citation of Moses as the one who 'visited' Israel (7:23).
δέthereforetransitional particle (mild inference)
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the standard NT address for fellow believers, here from the Twelve to the congregation.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative direct objectἀνήρ: 'man' (male); the selection is explicitly of ἄνδρες, though Luke's usage sometimes generalizes; the subsequent list is all male.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source/origin)
ὑμῶνamong youGenitivepartitive genitive (source of selection)
μαρτυρουμένουςof good repute / attestedPres Pass Ptcp Acc Pl M · μαρτυρέωattributive participle (qualifying ἄνδρας)→ progressive present (ongoing attestation)μαρτυρέω: 'to bear witness, attest'; passive = 'witnessed to, spoken well of'; the community's attestation is the first criterion; cf. 10:22; 22:12 (Cornelius, Ananias).
ἑπτάsevenAccusativeaccusative numeral (modifying ἄνδρας)ἑπτά: 'seven'; the number mirrors the seven elders of Israel (Num 11:16–25 LXX) and anticipates the later institution of seven deacons in church tradition.
πλήρειςfullAccusativeaccusative predicate adjective (second criterion)πλήρης: 'full'; the criterion of fullness of Spirit appears also of Stephen (v.5, 8) and Philip (implied); cf. 11:24 (Barnabas 'full of the Holy Spirit').
πνεύματοςof the SpiritGenitivegenitive of contentπνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit; fullness of the Spirit is an Actian marker of leadership and empowerment.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
σοφίαςwisdomGenitivegenitive of content (coordinate with πνεύματος)σοφία: 'wisdom'; practical and spiritual discernment; the pair Spirit + wisdom echoes Deut 34:9 (Joshua) and Isa 11:2; in v.10 Stephen's opponents 'could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.'
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative direct object of καταστήσομεν)
καταστήσομενwe will appointFut Act Indic 1 Pl · καθίστημιmain verb of relative clause (apostolic appointment)→ predictive futureκαθίστημι: 'to appoint, put in charge'; the apostles appoint, the congregation selects — a combined authority structure.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitive (authority over)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
χρείαςtask / needGenitivegenitive of reference (the need in question)χρεία: 'need, necessity, task'; the word is deliberately general — the Seven are appointed 'over this need,' not given a specific title, though tradition calls them the first deacons.
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (attributive)
4
ἡμεῖς δὲ τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ τῇ διακονίᾳ τοῦ λόγου προσκαρτερήσομεν.
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
The emphatic ἡμεῖς ('we ourselves') marks the contrast with the Seven: the Twelve reserve themselves for the two defining activities, prayer and word-ministry. The chiasm with v.2 frames the apostolic calling: not tables but prayer and word. Both διακονίαι (vv.1, 4) are genuine service; the distinction is of calling, not dignity.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἡμεῖςweNominativeemphatic nominative subject (contrastive)
δέbutcontrastive particle
τῇtoDativearticle (dative of reference)
προσευχῇprayerDativedative of reference / object of προσκαρτερήσομενπροσευχή: 'prayer'; the first activity the apostles reserve; prayer and proclamation are the twin poles of apostolic ministry in Acts (1:14; 2:42; 3:1; 4:31).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
τῇto theDativearticle
διακονίᾳministryDativedative of reference (coordinate with προσευχῇ)διακονία: 'ministry, service'; here the word-ministry that the Twelve will not abandon (v.2); the repetition of the root (vv.1, 2, 4) underscores that all genuine service is διακονία.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
λόγουwordGenitiveobjective genitive (ministry consisting in the word)λόγος: 'word'; τοῦ λόγου contrasts with τραπέζαις (v.2) — both are service but the apostolic vocation is the spoken word.
προσκαρτερήσομενwe will devote ourselvesFut Act Indic 1 Pl · προσκαρτερέωmain verb (resolve/commitment)→ predictive future (firm intention)προσκαρτερέω: 'to be steadfast in, persist in, devote oneself to'; a strong compound; used in Acts 1:14; 2:42, 46 of the community's devoted prayer and teaching.
5
καὶ ἤρεσεν ὁ λόγος ἐνώπιον παντὸς τοῦ πλήθους, καὶ ἐξελέξαντο Στέφανον, ἄνδρα πλήρη πίστεως καὶ πνεύματος ἁγίου, καὶ Φίλιππον καὶ Πρόχορον καὶ Νικάνορα καὶ Τίμωνα καὶ Παρμενᾶν καὶ Νικόλαον προσήλυτον Ἀντιοχέα·
And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.
The congregation's unanimous approval (παντὸς τοῦ πλήθους) underscores the community's shared authority in selection. Stephen heads the list and receives special commendation (πλήρη πίστεως καὶ πνεύματος ἁγίου), marking him as the central figure of the chapters to follow. Nicolaus is the only one identified as a proselyte (a Gentile convert to Judaism who then became a believer), hinting at the mission to Gentiles that Acts will unfold.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandcontinuative conjunction
ἤρεσενpleasedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀρέσκωmain verb→ constative aoristἀρέσκω: 'to please'; cognate with ἀρεστόν (v.2); the congregation's pleasure echoes back the apostolic judgment that the proposal was 'fitting.'
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςword / proposalNominativenominative subjectλόγος: 'word, proposal'; here the Twelve's speech (vv.2–4); the double sense of λόγος (God's word and human speech) is at play throughout the chapter.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)ἐνώπιον: 'before, in the sight of'; a Septuagintal locution frequent in Luke-Acts.
παντὸςall / wholeGenitiveadjective modifying πλήθους
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
πλήθουςgathering / multitudeGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιονπλῆθος: 'multitude, assembly'; the whole Jerusalem congregation, as in v.2.
καὶandcontinuative conjunction
ἐξελέξαντοthey choseAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐκλέγωmain verb (congregational selection)→ constative aoristἐκλέγω: 'to choose, select'; middle voice = 'chose for themselves'; the congregation does the choosing while the apostles do the appointing (v.6); cf. the election of Matthias (1:24).
ΣτέφανονStephenAccusativeaccusative direct object (first of seven)Στέφανος: 'Stephen'; Greek name meaning 'crown'; the first martyr of the church; his name and Greek background suggest he was a Hellenist, which is fitting as one appointed to address the Hellenist complaint.
ἄνδραa manAccusativeaccusative apposition to Στέφανον
πλήρηfullAccusativepredicate adjective in appositionπλήρης: 'full'; the criteria of v.3 (πλήρεις πνεύματος καὶ σοφίας) are now applied personally to Stephen with an added term — faith.
πίστεωςfaithGenitivegenitive of contentπίστις: 'faith, faithfulness'; beyond the criterion of v.3 (Spirit + wisdom), Stephen is additionally full of faith — possibly the faith as a body of belief or personal reliance on God; cf. v.8 'full of grace and power.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
πνεύματοςof the SpiritGenitivegenitive of content (coordinate)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit; Stephen exemplifies the standard (vv.3, 10) and will demonstrate it in his speech and death (7:55).
ἁγίουHolyGenitiveattributive adjective
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list)
ΦίλιππονPhilipAccusativeaccusative direct object (second of seven)Φίλιππος: 'Philip'; the evangelizer of Samaria and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8); his later activity confirms the Hellenist/mission focus of the Seven.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list)
ΠρόχορονProchorusAccusativeaccusative direct object (third of seven)Πρόχορος: 'Prochorus'; Greek name; tradition (Eusebius) identifies him as later bishop of Nicomedia and companion of John.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list)
ΝικάνοραNicanorAccusativeaccusative direct object (fourth of seven)Νικάνωρ: 'Nicanor'; Greek name ('conqueror'); otherwise unknown in the NT.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list)
ΤίμωναTimonAccusativeaccusative direct object (fifth of seven)Τίμων: 'Timon'; Greek name; no other NT reference.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list)
ΠαρμενᾶνParmenasAccusativeaccusative direct object (sixth of seven)Παρμενᾶς: 'Parmenas'; Greek name; otherwise unknown.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list)
ΝικόλαονNicolausAccusativeaccusative direct object (seventh of seven)Νικόλαος: 'Nicolaus'; the only Gentile convert (proselyte) among the Seven; his Antiochene origin anticipates the Antioch church that will become the Gentile mission base (11:19–26).
προσήλυτονa proselyteAccusativeaccusative apposition to Νικόλαονπροσήλυτος: 'proselyte, convert to Judaism'; a Gentile who had fully converted to Judaism; the only person in the Seven's list given a religious status designation.
Ἀντιοχέαof AntiochAccusativeaccusative apposition (city of origin)Ἀντιοχεύς: 'Antiochene, from Antioch'; the only geographical origin given for any of the Seven; Antioch will become central to Paul's mission (11:19–30; 13:1–3; 14:26–28; 15:35–41).
6
οὓς ἔστησαν ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀποστόλων, καὶ προσευξάμενοι ἐπέθηκαν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας.
These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
Asyndeton marks the decisive action that closes the selection narrative: the Seven are presented and commissioned. The two actions — prayer and laying on of hands — constitute the apostolic appointment promised in v.3. The laying on of hands (ἐπίθεσις τῶν χειρῶν) is the standard commissioning gesture in Acts (13:3; 28:8) and the Pastoral tradition.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
οὓςthese / whomAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative, resumptive — direct object)
ἔστησανthey set / presentedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (presentation before apostles)→ constative aoristἵστημι: 'to stand, set, present'; the transitive aorist = 'set before,' a formal act of presentation.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀποστόλωνapostlesGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιονἀπόστολος: 'apostle, sent one'; the Twelve, who now officiate at the commissioning.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
προσευξάμενοιhaving prayedAor Mid Ptcp Nom Pl M · προσεύχομαιattendant circumstance participle→ constative aoristπροσεύχομαι: 'to pray'; the commissioning is grounded in prayer, as promised by the Twelve in v.4 (τῇ προσευχῇ ... προσκαρτερήσομεν).
ἐπέθηκανthey laidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (laying on of hands)→ constative aoristἐπιτίθημι: 'to place upon, lay on'; the laying on of hands (ἐπίθεσις χειρῶν) is the act of commissioning, endowing, and blessing; cf. 8:17 (Spirit); 13:3 (Paul and Barnabas sent out); 1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6.
αὐτοῖςon themDativedative of recipient (indirect object)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative direct objectχείρ: 'hand'; τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν (implied) — the gesture of laying hands symbolizes transmission of authority and blessing in both Jewish and Christian practice.
7
Καὶ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ ηὔξανεν, καὶ ἐπληθύνετο ὁ ἀριθμὸς τῶν μαθητῶν ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ σφόδρα, πολύς τε ὄχλος τῶν ἱερέων ὑπήκουον τῇ πίστει.
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great company of the priests became obedient to the faith.
An Actian growth-summary verse (cf. 2:47; 4:4; 5:14; 9:31; 12:24; 19:20) that closes the first movement and validates the appointment of the Seven. Three co-ordinate statements escalate: (1) the word increases; (2) the disciple count multiplies greatly; (3) even a large company of priests is added — the last being the most striking social and religious expansion.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Καὶandcontinuative conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
λόγοςwordNominativenominative subjectλόγος: 'word'; ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ is the proclaimed gospel; Luke personifies it as the active subject of growth — it 'increases' as if alive; cf. 12:24 (ηὔξανεν).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source/author
ηὔξανενcontinued to increaseImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · αὐξάνωmain verb (summary growth)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing, continuous increase)αὐξάνω: 'to grow, increase'; the imperfect vividly depicts the word's continuous growth; cf. 12:24 (exact parallel: ηὔξανεν καὶ ἐπληθύνετο).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
ἐπληθύνετοmultipliedImpf Pass Indic 3 Sg · πληθύνωmain verb (numerical growth)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing multiplication)πληθύνω: 'to multiply, increase in number'; the imperfect passive (divine passive?) — God is implicitly multiplying the disciples; the root echoes the Genesis creation mandate (Gen 1:28 LXX).
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀριθμὸςnumberNominativenominative subjectἀριθμός: 'number, count'; Luke uses numerical/growth language throughout Acts to document the church's expansion.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
μαθητῶνdisciplesGenitivepartitive genitive
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)
ἸερουσαλὴμJerusalemDativedative of locationἸερουσαλήμ: Jerusalem; the indeclinable Semitic form (as opposed to the Hellenized Ἱεροσόλυμα); the growth is still centred in Jerusalem before the scattering of 8:1.
σφόδραgreatlyadverb (intensifier)σφόδρα: 'greatly, exceedingly'; LXX-coloured intensifier used by Luke (also Luke 18:23; Acts 27:18).
πολύςgreat / largeNominativepredicate adjective / attributive (with τε clause)πολύς: 'many, great'; the third element escalates to a socially remarkable group: priests.
τεandconnective particle (adding third element)τε: lighter connective than καί; often used in Luke-Acts for close linkage of items in a series.
ὄχλοςcompany / crowdNominativenominative subject (third clause)ὄχλος: 'crowd, company'; πολὺς ὄχλος = 'a large crowd/company.'
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἱερέωνpriestsGenitivepartitive genitiveἱερεύς: 'priest'; the mention of priests becoming obedient to the faith is striking: the priestly establishment had opposed the apostles (4:1; 5:17), yet now many priests join; this likely refers to lower-tier priests, not the high-priestly aristocracy.
ὑπήκουονwere becoming obedientImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ὑπακούωmain verb (third clause)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing obedience/conversion)ὑπακούω: 'to obey, submit to'; ὑπακούω + dative = 'to give heed to, become obedient to'; the imperfect captures the ongoing stream of conversions.
τῇtheDativearticle
πίστειfaithDativedative of object (obedient to the faith)πίστις: 'faith'; here used absolutely as the body of Christian belief ('the faith'), anticipating the later Pauline and Pastoral usage; the first occurrence of this absolute sense in Acts.
8
Στέφανος δὲ πλήρης χάριτος καὶ δυνάμεως ἐποίει τέρατα καὶ σημεῖα μεγάλα ἐν τῷ λαῷ.
And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.
The narrative narrows to Stephen, the first-named of the Seven. His description ('full of grace and power') updates and extends his introduction in v.5 ('full of faith and the Holy Spirit'). The imperfect ἐποίει captures an ongoing ministry of signs and wonders — the same charismatic pattern as the apostles (2:43; 5:12), now extending through the Seven.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ΣτέφανοςStephenNominativenominative subjectΣτέφανος: 'Stephen'; the pivot character of Acts 6–7; the only one of the Seven to receive detailed narrative.
δέandcontinuative/transitional particle
πλήρηςfullNominativepredicate adjective / nominative appositionπλήρης: 'full'; Stephen's character is repeatedly described with this adjective: v.3 (implied); v.5 (faith + Spirit); v.8 (grace + power); 7:55 (Spirit + glory at death).
χάριτοςgraceGenitivegenitive of contentχάρις: 'grace, favor'; here divine favor expressed in charismatic gifting; cf. Luke 2:40 of Jesus ('full of wisdom and the grace of God').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
δυνάμεωςpowerGenitivegenitive of content (coordinate)δύναμις: 'power, might'; the power that produces signs and wonders; the Acts 1:8 promise of power fulfilled through the Spirit-filled community.
ἐποίειwas doingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb→ progressive imperfect (ongoing miraculous ministry)ποιέω: 'to do, perform'; the imperfect marks Stephen's ongoing work of signs and wonders.
τέραταwondersAccusativeaccusative direct object (first of pair)τέρας: 'wonder, portent'; always paired with σημεῖον in Acts (2:19, 22, 43; 4:30; 5:12; 6:8; 7:36; 14:3); the word order τέρατα καὶ σημεῖα is unusual (normally σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα); possibly emphasizing the awe-inspiring character of the deeds.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
σημεῖαsignsAccusativeaccusative direct object (second of pair)σημεῖον: 'sign'; a miracle that points beyond itself to God's acting presence; the pair σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα echoes the Exodus tradition (Exod 7:3 LXX) and the apostolic validation formula.
μεγάλαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying both τέρατα and σημεῖα)μέγας: 'great, large'; intensifies both nouns — these are not ordinary miracles but spectacular ones.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere/location)
τῷtheDativearticle
λαῷpeopleDativedative of sphere (among the people)λαός: 'people'; here the Jewish population of Jerusalem, who receive Stephen's ministry positively at this stage; the λαός is distinguished from their leaders (4:1–2; 5:26).
9
ἀνέστησαν δέ τινες τῶν ἐκ τῆς συναγωγῆς τῆς λεγομένης Λιβερτίνων καὶ Κυρηναίων καὶ Ἀλεξανδρέων καὶ τῶν ἀπὸ Κιλικίας καὶ Ἀσίας συζητοῦντες τῷ Στεφάνῳ·
But some of those who belonged to the synagogue called the Freedmen, that is Cyrenians and Alexandrians and those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.
The opposition comes from a specific diaspora synagogue whose members, being Greek-speaking Hellenistic Jews, engage Stephen — himself a Hellenist — on his own cultural ground. The exact grouping is disputed textually and historically: whether one, two, or five synagogues are implied, and whether 'Freedmen' (Λιβερτῖνοι) refers to descendants of freedmen or to specific communities from Libertum (Africa). The majority view sees one synagogue ('of the Freedmen') with members drawn from several regions.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἀνέστησανrose upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀνίστημιmain verb (opposition arising)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι: 'to rise, stand up'; ἀνέστησαν often introduces opposition or confrontation in Acts (also v.7 of priests; 15:5).
δέbutcontrastive particle
τινεςsomeNominativenominative subject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone, certain ones'; the indefiniteness gives way to specificity in the genitival list.
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantival, partitive genitive with τινες)
ἐκfrom / belonging topreposition + genitive (membership/origin)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
συναγωγῆςsynagogueGenitivegenitive object of ἐκσυναγωγή: 'synagogue, assembly'; the institution of Jewish communal worship and reading; multiple synagogues existed in Jerusalem; this one is named by its membership.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (in apposition phrase)
λεγομένηςcalledPres Pass Ptcp Gen Sg F · λέγωattributive participle (identifying the synagogue)→ progressive presentλέγω: 'to say, call, name'; λεγομένης = 'the one called'; a standard identifier for names that need explanation.
ΛιβερτίνωνFreedmenGenitivegenitive of identification (naming the synagogue)Λιβερτῖνος: a Latin loanword (libertinus, 'freedman'); refers to Jews who had been enslaved (perhaps during Pompey's 63 BC campaign) and subsequently freed, and their descendants; their synagogue in Jerusalem is attested in extra-biblical sources.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (listing regional groups)
ΚυρηναίωνCyreniansGenitivegenitive (coordinate, members of synagogue)Κυρηναῖος: 'Cyrenian, from Cyrene'; North Africa (modern Libya); a significant Jewish diaspora community; cf. Simon of Cyrene (Luke 23:26); Lucius of Cyrene (Acts 13:1).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
ἈλεξανδρέωνAlexandriansGenitivegenitive (coordinate, members of synagogue)Ἀλεξανδρεύς: 'Alexandrian, from Alexandria'; Egypt's capital, home to a large and influential Jewish community and Philo's allegorical tradition.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantival, coordinate with regional genitives)
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (origin)
ΚιλικίαςCiliciaGenitivegenitive object of ἀπόΚιλικία: Cilicia; SE Asia Minor; Paul's home province (Tarsus in Cilicia); it is often noted that Paul himself, a Cilician, may have debated Stephen here — a dramatic irony Luke may intend.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
ἈσίαςAsiaGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (coordinate)Ἀσία: 'Asia'; the Roman province of Asia (western Anatolia, modern Turkey); Ephesus its capital; Asia Minor Jews will figure in Paul's later trials (21:27).
συζητοῦντεςdisputingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · συζητέωattendant circumstance participle→ progressive present (ongoing debate)συζητέω: 'to dispute, debate, discuss'; cf. Mark 9:10, 14; Luke 24:15; the compound suggests vigorous exchange; the opponents engage Stephen in open synagogue debate.
τῷwithDativearticle (dative of association)
ΣτεφάνῳStephenDativedative of association (debating with)
10
καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυον ἀντιστῆναι τῇ σοφίᾳ καὶ τῷ πνεύματι ᾧ ἐλάλει.
But they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
The result of the debate: the opponents cannot answer Stephen. The double standard of v.3 (Spirit and wisdom) is now vindicated — they fail precisely on the two criteria the Twelve required. The imperfects ἴσχυον and ἐλάλει mark the ongoing and decisive nature of the defeat. This failure to counter him scripturally leads to the false-witness strategy of v.11.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandcontinuative conjunction
οὐκnotnegation
ἴσχυονwere ableImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἰσχύωmain verb (inability — negated)→ progressive imperfect (persistent inability)ἰσχύω: 'to be strong, able, capable'; the imperfect conveys that at no point in the debate could they overcome him.
ἀντιστῆναιto withstandAor Act Inf · ἀνθίστημιcomplementary infinitive→ constative aorist infinitiveἀνθίστημι: 'to withstand, resist, stand against'; the compound ἀντί- ('against') + ἵστημι ('to stand') = 'to take a stand against, resist'; cf. 2 Tim 3:8 (Jannes and Jambres); Jas 4:7.
τῇtheDativearticle (dative of reference)
σοφίᾳwisdomDativedative of reference (what they could not withstand)σοφία: 'wisdom'; the criterion demanded in v.3 now demonstrated as impregnable; the opponents are defeated on precisely the ground they sought to contest.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
τῷtheDativearticle
πνεύματιSpiritDativedative of reference (coordinate with σοφίᾳ)πνεῦμα: 'Spirit'; the Holy Spirit speaking through Stephen, vindicating Jesus' promise in Luke 21:15 ('I will give you a mouth and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict').
ᾧwith whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of instrument — referring to πνεύματι)
ἐλάλειhe was speakingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb of relative clause→ progressive imperfect (ongoing Spirit-empowered speech)λαλέω: 'to speak'; the Spirit is the instrument/sphere of Stephen's speech; cf. Matt 10:20 ('it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you').
11
τότε ὑπέβαλον ἄνδρας λέγοντας ὅτι Ἀκηκόαμεν αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος ῥήματα βλάσφημα εἰς Μωϋσῆν καὶ τὸν θεόν.
Then they secretly induced men to say, 'We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.'
Having failed in open debate (v.10), the opponents shift to subornation. τότε ('then') marks the causal link: the resort to false witnesses is a direct consequence of intellectual defeat. The verb ὑπέβαλον ('secretly induced') signals the malicious and covert nature of the move. The charge mirrors the accusations at Jesus' trial (Mark 14:57–59) and anticipates the formal charge in vv.13–14.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
τότεthentemporal adverb (consequence marker)τότε: 'then, at that time'; a strong temporal connector indicating that what follows is a direct result of the preceding defeat.
ὑπέβαλονthey secretly inducedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὑποβάλλωmain verb (subornation)→ constative aoristὑποβάλλω: 'to put under, secretly instigate, suborn'; NT hapax; the prefix ὑπό- ('under') suggests covert manipulation; 'to suborn (witnesses)' is a technical legal term.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative direct objectἀνήρ: 'man'; the witnesses are unnamed, underscoring their instrumental use.
λέγονταςsayingPres Act Ptcp Acc Pl M · λέγωattributive/appositional participle (what the men were induced to say)→ progressive present
ὅτιthatrecitative ὅτι (introducing direct speech)
Ἀκηκόαμενwe have heardPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb of direct speech→ intensive perfect (standing testimony: 'we stand as having heard')ἀκούω: 'to hear'; the perfect tense gives the false claim the force of settled eyewitness testimony: 'we have heard and can testify.'
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive of the person heard (with participle λαλοῦντος)
λαλοῦντοςspeakingPres Act Ptcp Gen Sg M · λαλέωgenitive participial construction (indirect object of ἀκούω + gen.)→ progressive presentλαλέω: 'to speak'; λαλοῦντος completes the ἀκούω + gen. construction: 'we heard him speaking.'
ῥήματαwordsAccusativeaccusative direct objectῥῆμα: 'word, utterance'; the specific words spoken (as opposed to λόγος, the message as a whole); the charge is about specific utterances.
βλάσφημαblasphemousAccusativeattributive adjectiveβλάσφημος: 'blasphemous, slanderous'; the adjective condemns the words as an assault on the divine honor of Moses and God; the charge of blasphemy was a capital offence (Lev 24:16).
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (direction of offense)
ΜωϋσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςΜωϋσῆς: Moses; as giver of the Torah, blasphemy against Moses = blasphemy against the law; Moses features prominently in Stephen's defence speech (7:20–44).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεόνGodAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (coordinate)θεός: 'God'; the double charge mirrors Lev 24:10–16 where blasphemy of the Name is capital; the pairing Moses + God brackets Torah and temple as the two focal points of the accusation.
12
συνεκίνησάν τε τὸν λαὸν καὶ τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους καὶ τοὺς γραμματεῖς, καὶ ἐπιστάντες συνήρπασαν αὐτὸν καὶ ἤγαγον εἰς τὸ συνέδριον,
And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council.
The opposition widens from the synagogue members to the whole Jerusalem establishment. The three groups — λαόν, πρεσβύτεροι, γραμματεῖς — mirror the Sanhedrin's constituent parts and echo the Passion narrative's coalition against Jesus (Luke 22:66; 23:10). The sequence συνεκίνησαν ... ἐπιστάντες ... συνήρπασαν ... ἤγαγον narrates a swift escalation from stirring to arrest to arraignment.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
συνεκίνησάνstirred upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συγκινέωmain verb (incitement)→ constative aoristσυγκινέω: 'to stir up together, agitate'; NT hapax; the compound suggests a general mobilization of emotion; agitating the λαός reverses the apostles' earlier popularity with the λαός (2:47; 5:26).
τεandconnective particle (close linkage)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λαὸνpeopleAccusativeaccusative direct object (first of three)λαός: 'people'; the λαός are first stirred — a significant shift, since earlier the λαός supported the apostles.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
πρεσβυτέρουςeldersAccusativeaccusative direct object (second of three)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the Jewish lay elders who sit on the Sanhedrin alongside the priests and scribes.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
γραμματεῖςscribesAccusativeaccusative direct object (third of three)γραμματεύς: 'scribe, expert in the law'; professional Torah-interpreters; together with the λαός and πρεσβύτεροι they form the coalition that brings Stephen to the Sanhedrin.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
ἐπιστάντεςcoming uponAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · ἐφίστημιattendant circumstance participle→ constative aoristἐφίστημι: 'to come upon, stand over, appear suddenly'; the participle suggests a sudden or unexpected confrontation; the compound ἐπί- implies approach from above or with authority.
συνήρπασανseizedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συναρπάζωmain verb (arrest)→ constative aoristσυναρπάζω: 'to seize violently, snatch up'; cf. 19:29; 27:15; conveys the violence of the arrest; echoes the arrest of Jesus (Luke 22:54).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
ἤγαγονbroughtAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἄγωmain verb (arraignment)→ constative aoristἄγω: 'to lead, bring'; formal leading before a tribunal; the same verb used of Jesus being led before Pilate.
εἰςinto / beforepreposition + accusative (direction/destination)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
συνέδριονcouncil / SanhedrinAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)συνέδριον: 'council, Sanhedrin'; the supreme Jewish council of 71 members in Jerusalem, with authority over capital religious offences; the same body that condemned Jesus (Luke 22:66).
13
ἔστησάν τε μάρτυρας ψευδεῖς λέγοντας· Ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος οὐ παύεται λαλῶν ῥήματα κατὰ τοῦ τόπου τοῦ ἁγίου τούτου καὶ τοῦ νόμου·
And they set up false witnesses who said, 'This man never stops speaking words against this holy place and the law.'
The false witnesses now give their testimony before the Sanhedrin. The language closely echoes the false witnesses at Jesus' trial (Mark 14:57–58; Matt 26:59–61). The present tense 'does not cease' (οὐ παύεται λαλῶν) makes the charge a continuous pattern rather than a single incident — more serious and harder to refute. Two targets emerge: the temple ('this holy place') and the law.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἔστησάνthey set up / presentedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (presenting witnesses)→ constative aoristἵστημι: 'to set, present, establish'; the technical sense of presenting witnesses in a legal hearing; cf. v.6 (presenting the Seven before the apostles).
τεandconnective particle
μάρτυραςwitnessesAccusativeaccusative direct objectμάρτυς: 'witness, martyr'; the legal term; here those who give testimony; the irony is that Stephen himself will become a 'witness' in the fullest sense — a martyr.
ψευδεῖςfalseAccusativeattributive adjectiveψευδής: 'false, lying'; Luke's editorial label marks these as false witnesses, echoing the ninth commandment (Exod 20:16) and the Passion parallels.
λέγονταςsayingPres Act Ptcp Acc Pl M · λέγωattributive participle (content of testimony)→ progressive present
ὉthisNominativearticle (with demonstrative force)
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativenominative subjectἄνθρωπος: 'man, person'; ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος is contemptuous — 'this fellow' rather than 'this man'; the same dismissive phrase used of Jesus (Mark 14:71; Luke 23:4).
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (contemptuous subject identification)
οὐnotnegation
παύεταιceasesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · παύωmain verb of direct speech→ progressive present (ongoing: 'keeps on not stopping')παύω: 'to stop, cease'; middle = 'to cease of oneself'; οὐ παύεται ('does not cease') makes the offence habitual and ongoing, not occasional — maximizing the legal charge.
λαλῶνspeakingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · λαλέωsupplementary participle with παύεται→ progressive presentλαλέω: 'to speak'; supplementary with παύεται: 'does not cease speaking.'
ῥήματαwordsAccusativeaccusative direct object of λαλῶνῥῆμα: 'word, utterance'; specific verbal claims, as in v.11.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (opposition / against)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive object of κατάτόπος: 'place'; ὁ τόπος ὁ ἅγιος = the temple; a standard Septuagintal designation for the Jerusalem sanctuary; cf. 21:28 (later accusation against Paul using the same language).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἁγίουholyGenitiveattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy'; the temple as holy place — the center of Israel's worship and national identity.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (postpositive attributive)
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
νόμουlawGenitivegenitive object of κατά (coordinate with τόπου)νόμος: 'law, Torah'; the Mosaic law; the two pillars of Jewish identity — temple and Torah — are now the double target of the charge; Stephen's speech (ch. 7) addresses both.
14
ἀκηκόαμεν γὰρ αὐτοῦ λέγοντος ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ὁ Ναζωραῖος οὗτος καταλύσει τὸν τόπον τοῦτον καὶ ἀλλάξει τὰ ἔθη ἃ παρέδωκεν ἡμῖν Μωϋσῆς.
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.
γάρ introduces the evidential grounding for the charge of v.13: the witnesses quote a specific saying attributed to Stephen. The saying closely echoes Jesus' prediction of the temple's destruction (Mark 13:2; 14:58; John 2:19). The future tenses καταλύσει and ἀλλάξει frame the charge as prophetic claim, not past act, suggesting Stephen has proclaimed Jesus' coming transformation of both temple and Torah. Whether he actually said this verbatim, or something close to it, is not resolved — only the false framing is condemned.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἀκηκόαμενwe have heardPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (eyewitness claim)→ intensive perfect (standing testimony)ἀκούω: 'to hear'; repeating the claim of v.11 with the perfect; the legal strategy is consistent testimony.
γάρforcausal/explanatory conjunction
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive with ἀκούω + participle
λέγοντοςsayingPres Act Ptcp Gen Sg M · λέγωgenitive participial complement of ἀκούω→ progressive present
ὅτιthatrecitative ὅτι (introducing the quoted saying)
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativenominative subjectἸησοῦς: 'Jesus'; the personal name; in the witnesses' mouth, the name implies the one condemned and crucified by the Sanhedrin — a provocative subject.
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΝαζωραῖοςNazarene / of NazarethNominativeappositional nominativeΝαζωραῖος: 'Nazarene, of Nazareth'; a standard identification of Jesus used in Acts (2:22; 3:6; 4:10; 26:9); adding it reinforces the identification with the crucified one.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (emphatic, possibly contemptuous)
καταλύσειwill destroyFut Act Indic 3 Sg · καταλύωmain verb of the quoted saying→ predictive futureκαταλύω: 'to destroy, tear down, dissolve'; the temple-destruction logion: cf. Mark 13:2 (οὐ μὴ ἀφεθῇ λίθος ἐπὶ λίθον); Mark 14:58 (καταλύσω τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον); the word recurs in Stephen's mouth in Acts 6–7 only in the accusation, suggesting distortion of a genuine saying.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative direct objectτόπος: 'place'; the temple, as in v.13.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective
καὶandcoordinate conjunction
ἀλλάξειwill changeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀλλάσσωmain verb (second claim — coordinate)→ predictive futureἀλλάσσω: 'to change, alter, exchange'; NT rare; the claim that Jesus will 'change the customs of Moses' goes beyond temple destruction to Torah itself — a radical claim that Stephen's speech addresses by reinterpreting Israel's history.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔθηcustomsAccusativeaccusative direct objectἔθος: 'custom, practice, usage'; the Mosaic customs (food, purity, circumcision, festivals); cf. 15:1; 21:21; 26:3; 28:17; the term is deliberately broad, maximizing the charge's scope.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative direct object of παρέδωκεν)
παρέδωκενdelivered / handed downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb of relative clause→ constative aorist (foundational past act)παραδίδωμι: 'to hand over, deliver, transmit'; the verb of tradition-transmission; παρέδωκεν ἡμῖν Μωϋσῆς = 'Moses handed down to us' — the accusation invokes the sacred chain of tradition that Stephen is alleged to threaten.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative indirect object
ΜωϋσῆςMosesNominativenominative subject of relative clauseΜωϋσῆς: Moses; as the mediator of the covenant traditions; the accusation centers the identity of Judaism in Moses, and Stephen's speech will reinterpret Moses as witness to Jesus.
15
καὶ ἀτενίσαντες εἰς αὐτὸν ἅπαντες οἱ καθεζόμενοι ἐν τῷ συνεδρίῳ εἶδον τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ πρόσωπον ἀγγέλου.
And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
The chapter closes with a visual epiphany: the entire Sanhedrin — his accusers — gazes at Stephen and sees angelic glory on his face. The simile ὡσεὶ πρόσωπον ἀγγέλου anticipates 7:55–56 (Stephen sees the glory of God) and echoes Moses' shining face (Exod 34:29–35 LXX). This is not testimony in Stephen's defense but narrative commentary: God vindicates the accused before he speaks. The angelic face is an ironic judgment on the charge of blasphemy: the one charged with dishonoring God bears the face of heaven.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcontinuative conjunction
ἀτενίσαντεςgazing intentlyAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · ἀτενίζωattendant circumstance participle→ constative aoristἀτενίζω: 'to gaze intently, fix one's eyes on'; a distinctive Lukan verb (also 1:10; 3:4, 12; 7:55; 10:4; 11:6; 13:9; 14:9); the compound ἀτενής ('strained') suggests focused, sustained gaze.
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (direction of gaze)
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς
ἅπαντεςallNominativenominative subject (intensive all)ἅπας: 'all, whole'; the emphatic form of πᾶς; 'every single one' in the Sanhedrin — no exception to the vision; their unanimous seeing is the counterpart to the congregation's unanimous approval (v.5: παντὸς τοῦ πλήθους).
οἱthose whoNominativearticle (substantival with participle)
καθεζόμενοιsitting / seatedPres Mid Ptcp Nom Pl M · καθέζομαιattributive participle (describing those who saw)→ progressive presentκαθέζομαι: 'to sit, take a seat'; the seated members of the Sanhedrin in session — emphasizing the formality of the legal setting when the heavenly vision intrudes.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)
τῷtheDativearticle
συνεδρίῳcouncil / SanhedrinDativedative of locationσυνέδριον: 'council, Sanhedrin'; the supreme body of Jewish authority; sitting in formal session as they gaze at Stephen.
εἶδονsawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω: 'to see, perceive'; the aorist conveys a single decisive visual perception: they looked and saw angelic glory.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative direct objectπρόσωπον: 'face, countenance'; the face as the locus of divine or heavenly radiance; cf. Moses' shining face (Exod 34:29–35); Jesus' face at the Transfiguration (Luke 9:29); Stephen's face at death (7:55).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
ὡσεὶlike / as ifcomparative particleὡσεί: 'as if, like'; introduces the simile; cf. Luke 3:22 (the Spirit descended ὡσεὶ περιστεράν, like a dove); the particle marks resemblance, not identity.
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative in comparative clauseπρόσωπον: 'face'; the repeated word (τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡσεὶ πρόσωπον) creates a direct comparison: Stephen's face is like an angel's face.
ἀγγέλουof an angelGenitivegenitive of description / relationshipἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; angelic faces in Second Temple Judaism are associated with heavenly radiance and God's presence (cf. 1 En. 106:5–6; T. Abr. 16:6; Apoc. Zeph. 6:11); the irony is total: the man accused of blaspheming God wears the face of heaven.