“Then said the high priest, Are these things so?”
Then the high priest asked, 'Are these charges true?' - the high priest's formal question initiates Stephen's defense, allowing him to respond to the accusations. The charge concerns the temple and the law; Stephen's response will be a sweeping recitation of biblical history that reframes both institutions within God's larger purposes. The question 'Are these charges true?' opens space for a theological argument.
Church Fathers on Acts 7:1
said the high-priest, Are these things so? Acts 7:1 Observe, the question is put with mildness, that he may effect some great mischief. For this reason Stephen too begins his speech in a tone of gentleness, and says, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran. Acts 7:2 Immediately at the outset he overthrows their conceit, and makes it appear by what he says, that the temple…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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