Acts 6:11 – “Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, ‘We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.’”

Extended Explanation

This verse describes the moment when Stephen’s opponents resorted to lies and manipulation to silence him. Earlier, they had tried to debate him, but they could not stand up against the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke (Acts 6:10). Since they couldn’t defeat him with truth, they turned to false accusations and deception.

They secretly persuaded men to lie about Stephen, accusing him of blasphemy—specifically against Moses and God. In Jewish law, blasphemy was a serious charge, punishable by death (Leviticus 24:16). By making this accusation, Stephen’s enemies were setting him up for an unfair trial, similar to what had happened to Jesus when He was falsely accused before the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:59-61).

This verse highlights a key theme in the Bible: God’s truth is often opposed by lies. When people cannot fight against the truth, they often attack the messenger. Stephen was about to experience what many faithful believers before and after him have faced—persecution for standing up for God’s truth.

Historical Context

At this time, Jerusalem was the religious center of Judaism. The temple was the heart of Jewish worship, and the religious leaders—the Sanhedrin, Pharisees, and Sadducees—had great power over the people. They saw Jesus and His followers as a direct threat to their authority, because the gospel message challenged their traditions and control.

This same group of religious leaders had already arrested Peter and John for preaching about Jesus (Acts 4:1-3) and had beaten the apostles for refusing to stop (Acts 5:40). Now, they were determined to eliminate Stephen because he was boldly preaching that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Law and the true way to salvation.

By accusing Stephen of blasphemy against Moses and God, they were attacking the very foundation of Jewish identity. Moses represented the Law, and God represented their covenant relationship. The religious leaders knew that if they could convince the people that Stephen was insulting both, they could turn the crowd against him and justify his execution.

Theological Implications

1. Truth is often attacked by lies. Just as Stephen was falsely accused, followers of Christ today may face misrepresentation or false accusations.
2. Religious tradition is not the same as true faith. The religious leaders cared more about protecting their system than about listening to the truth.
3. Persecution is a reality for those who stand for Christ. Stephen’s story reminds us that faithfulness to God may come with a cost, but God is always with His people.
4. The enemy will always try to silence God’s people. From the Garden of Eden to Jesus to Stephen, the strategy of the enemy has always included deception and slander. But God’s truth always prevails.

Literary Analysis

Luke, the author of Acts, presents this scene as a direct parallel to Jesus’ trial. The same pattern is seen:

1. Opposition arises because of powerful teaching. (Luke 20:19, Acts 6:10)
2. Religious leaders feel threatened. (Luke 22:2, Acts 6:11)
3. False witnesses are bribed to lie. (Matthew 26:59-61, Acts 6:11)
4. The charge of blasphemy is made. (Matthew 26:65, Acts 6:11)
5. The innocent servant of God is condemned. (Luke 23:20-23, Acts 7:54-60)

Luke is emphasizing that Stephen was following in Jesus’ footsteps. Just as Jesus was rejected by the religious establishment, so too was Stephen. His faithfulness to the gospel led him down the same path as his Savior.

The phrase “secretly persuaded” is also key. It shows that the religious leaders knew they were lying. They didn’t have real evidence, so they had to convince others to spread false accusations. This is a reminder that many attacks against Christianity are not based on facts, but on deception and fear.

Biblical Cross-References

• Exodus 20:16 – “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” (False accusations are a direct violation of God’s Law.)
• Psalm 27:12 – “Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.” (David’s words foreshadow Stephen’s situation.)
• Isaiah 5:20 – “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.” (Those who rejected Stephen were twisting the truth.)
• Matthew 5:11-12 – “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” (Jesus warned that His followers would face false accusations.)
• 1 Peter 3:16 – “Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (Even when falsely accused, believers must remain faithful.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Expect opposition when you stand for truth. Stephen was falsely accused because he was boldly preaching about Jesus. If we follow Christ, we should not be surprised if we face criticism or slander.
2. Stay faithful even when falsely accused. Stephen did not back down. He remained calm, bold, and filled with the Holy Spirit. We must also stand firm when we face unfair treatment.
3. God knows the truth, even when people spread lies. The world may distort the truth, but God sees everything, and He will defend His people.
4. Religious people can sometimes resist God. The men who attacked Stephen were devoted to their religion, but they missed the truth of Jesus. We must be careful not to let traditions or personal pride keep us from hearing God’s voice.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

Even in the midst of deception and injustice, God’s love is evident.

• God strengthens His people in trials. Stephen was not alone—he was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:8).
• God uses persecution for good. Stephen’s death led to the spread of the gospel (Acts 8:1).
• God loves even those who oppose Him. Many who persecuted Christians later came to faith—including Saul (Paul), who may have witnessed Stephen’s trial.

God’s love is not defeated by lies or persecution. He is always in control, even when circumstances seem unfair.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Stephen’s trial mirrors the trial of Jesus:

• Both were falsely accused. (Matthew 26:59-61, Acts 6:11)
• Both were accused of blasphemy. (Matthew 26:65, Acts 6:11)
• Both stood before the Sanhedrin. (Luke 22:66, Acts 6:12)
• Both remained faithful to the truth, even when facing death.

Stephen followed in the footsteps of Christ. His story reminds us that to be a disciple of Jesus means being willing to suffer for His name.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think the religious leaders resorted to false accusations against Stephen?
2. Have you ever faced opposition for your faith? How did you handle it?
3. What does this verse teach us about the cost of following Jesus?
4. How can we stay faithful even when people misrepresent or attack us?
5. What can we learn from Stephen’s response to persecution?

This verse reminds us that faithfulness to Jesus comes at a cost, but God’s truth will always stand. No matter what opposition we face, we can trust that God is in control, and He will give us the strength to remain faithful.