Bible Strands
Acts 7:1
Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The high priest addresses Stephen during a formal hearing to verify the specific accusations brought against him. This direct inquiry immediately precedes Stephen’s extended historical defense.
The words — The Greek phrase εἰ ἄρα ταῦτα οὕτως (ei ara tauta houtōs) translates literally to “whether therefore these things so,” functioning as a precise request for factual confirmation rather than a rhetorical challenge.
The thread — Parallel judicial questioning appears when the high priest questions Jesus regarding his disciples and teaching (John 18:19), while temple-related allegations are recorded by false witnesses (Matthew 26:61; Mark 14:58).
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to confront the exact charges before formulating a response, establishing accountability as the necessary foundation for any defense.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
Cross-references
- John 18:19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.
- 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 18:33 Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
- Acts 6:13 where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.