Acts 7:52

"“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do."

Key Reflection

This passage describes the people as "stiff-necked" and "uncircumcised in heart and ears," imagery that conveys their stubborn resistance to God’s guidance and teachings, much like their ancestors before them. This spiritual condition reflects a hard-hearted disobedience to the Holy Spirit's prompting, highlighting the persistent nature of rebellion against divine will throughout generations.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 52. Which of the prophets, etc. The interrogative form here is a strong mode of saying that they had persecuted all the prophets. It was the characteristic of the nation to persecute the messengers of God. This is not to be taken as literally and universally true; but it was a general truth; it was the national characteristic. See Notes, Mt 21:33-40; 23:29-35. And they have slain them, etc. That is, they have slain the prophets, whose main message was that the Messiah was to come. It was a great aggravation of their offence, that they put to death the messengers which foretold the greatest blessing that the nation could receive. The Just One. The Messiah. See Barnes "Ac 3:14.

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