Acts 7:48

Acts 7:48 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
• New International Version (NIV)“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
• English Standard Version (ESV)Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,
• New King James Version (NKJV)“However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

Context of Acts 7:48

46who won God’s favor. David asked that he might provide a permanent place for the family of Jacob. 47But Solomon was the one who built a house for God. “However, the Most High doesn’t live in a house built by humans, as the prophet says: 49‘The Lord says, “Heaven is my throne. The earth is my footstool. What kind of house are you going to build for me? Where will I rest? 50Didn’t I make all these things?” ’

Acts 7:48 word by word

ἀλλ᾽ οὐχ ὁ ὕψιστος ἐν χειροποιήτοις κατοικεῖ, καθὼς ὁ προφήτης λέγει·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Howbeitἀλλάalla · butG235
• the most Highὕψιστοςhupsistos · HighestG5310
• dwellethκατοικέωkatoikeō · to dwellG2730
• notοὐou · noG3756
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• templesναόςnaos · templeG3485
• made with handsχειροποίητοςcheiropoiētos · hand-madeG5499
• asκαθώςkathōs · as/just asG2531
• saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• the prophetπροφήτηςprophētēs · prophetG4396

Cross-references for Acts 7:48

• Deuteronomy 32:8When the Most High gave nations their land, when he divided the descendants of Adam, he set up borders for the tribes corresponding to the number of the sons of Israel.
• Psalms 7:17I will give thanks to the Lord for his righteousness. I will make music to praise the name of the Lord Most High.
• Psalms 46:4There is a river whose streams bring joy to the city of God, the holy place where the Most High lives.
• Psalms 91:1Whoever lives under the shelter of the Most High will remain in the shadow of the Almighty.
• Psalms 92:8But you, O Lord, are highly honored forever.
• Daniel 4:17The guardians have announced this decision. The holy ones have announced this so that every living creature will know that the Most High has power over human kingdoms. He gives them to whomever he wishes. He can place the lowest of people in charge of them.’ ”
• Hosea 7:16They don’t return to the Most High. They are like a defective bow. Their officials will die in battle because they curse. The people in Egypt will ridicule them for this.
• Acts 17:24The God who made the universe and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn’t live in shrines made by humans,
• 1 Kings 8:27“Does God really live on earth? If heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot hold you, then how can this temple that I have built?
• 2 Chronicles 2:5The temple I am building will be great because our God is greater than all other gods.
• 2 Chronicles 6:18“Does God really live on earth with people? If heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot hold you, then how can this temple that I have built?
• Isaiah 66:1This is what the Lord says: Heaven is my throne. The earth is my footstool. Where can you build a house or resting place for me?

Commentaries on Acts 7:48

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 48The Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands - Here St. Stephen evidently refers to Solomon's speech, 1 Kings 8:27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house that I have builded? Both Solomon and St. Stephen mean that the majesty of God could not be contained, not even in the whole vortex of nature; much less in any temple which human hands could erect. As…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 48Howbeit - But. Stephen was charged with speaking against the temple. He had now shown that he had due veneration for it, by his declaring that it had been built by the command of God. But he “now” adds that God does not need such a temple. Heaven is his throne; the universe his dwelling-place; and “therefore” this temple might be destroyed. A new, glorious truth was to be revealed to mankind, that God was not “confined” in his worship to any age, or…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 42-50Verses 42-50 Stephen upbraids the Jews with the idolatry of their fathers, to which God gave them up as a punishment for their early forsaking him. It was no dishonour, but an honour to God, that the tabernacle gave way to the temple; so it is now, that the earthly temple gives way to the spiritual one; and so it will be when, at last, the spiritual shall give way to the eternal one. The whole world is God's temple, in which he is every where present, and…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 48-50One charge against Stephen was that he spoke against the temple (see 6:14). The leading priests and scribes managed the temple's business and wanted to protect their interests (see Luke 19:45–48). This is why these leaders were concerned about the temple, even though God said that the Most High does not live in temples made by human hands.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 42-5042-50. gave them up--judicially. as ... written in the book of the prophets--the twelve minor prophets, reckoned as one: the passage is from Am 5:25. have ye offered to me ... sacrifices?--The answer is, Yes, but as if ye did it not; for "neither did ye offer to Me only, nor always, nor with a perfect and willing heart" [Bengel].Read the comment

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In the dictionaries

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Commentaries on Acts 7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings