However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says,
Parallel translations
- KJV Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
- BSB However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
- NKJV “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
- NASB However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:
- NLT However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Most High does not dwell in temples made by human hands, as the prophet declared. God's presence cannot be contained or localized in a building.
Overview
Stephen makes his pivotal point: God is not confined to man-made temples (1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 66:1-2). This answers the charge that he spoke against the temple by affirming a truth Scripture itself teaches. It also points forward to the new covenant reality that God dwells with His people by His Spirit, not in a building of stone.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Acts 17:24–25The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands,
- Isa 66:1–2Yahweh says, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build to me? Where will I rest?
- 1 Kgs 8:27But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house that I have built!
- 2 Chr 2:5–6“The house which I am building will be great; for our God is greater than all gods.
- 2 Chr 6:18“But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house which I have built!
- Ps 91:9Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,
- Ps 91:1He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
- Ps 92:8But you, Yahweh, are on high forever more.
- Dan 4:17The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.
- Dan 4:24–25this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which has come on my lord the king:
- Ps 7:17I will give thanks to Yahweh according to his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High.
- Dan 4:34At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.
- Deut 32:8When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the children of men, he set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel.
- Ps 46:4There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.
- Hos 7:16They return, but not to the Most High. They are like a faulty bow. Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue. This will be their derision in the land of Egypt.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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