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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 7:48 However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/7-48.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/44_Act_07_48.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 7:48 - Stephen's Address to the Sanhedrin" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. 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As the prophet says: <a href="/nlt/acts/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says, <a href="/esv/acts/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, <a href="/bsb/acts/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: <a href="/blb/acts/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Yet the Most High does not dwell in hand-made houses. As the prophet says: <a href="/kjv/acts/7.htm">King James Bible</a> Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, <a href="/nkjv/acts/7.htm">New King James Version</a> “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: <a href="/nasb_/acts/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says: <a href="/nasb/acts/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says: <a href="/nasb77/acts/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says: <a href="/lsb/acts/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands, as the prophet says: <a href="/amp/acts/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> However, the Most High [the One infinitely exalted above humanity] does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet [Isaiah] says, <a href="/csb/acts/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> but the Most High does not dwell in sanctuaries made with hands, as the prophet says: <a href="/hcsb/acts/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> However, the Most High does not dwell in sanctuaries made with hands, as the prophet says: <a href="/asv/acts/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet, <a href="/cev/acts/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But the Most High God doesn't live in houses made by humans. It is just as the prophet said, when he spoke for the Lord, <a href="/erv/acts/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet, <a href="/gwt/acts/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "However, the Most High doesn't live in a house built by humans, as the prophet says: <a href="/gnt/acts/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> "But the Most High God does not live in houses built by human hands; as the prophet says, <a href="/isv/acts/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> However, the Most High does not live in buildings made by human hands. As the prophet says, <a href="/msb/acts/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made by human hands. As the prophet says: <a href="/net/acts/7.htm">NET Bible</a> Yet the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands, as the prophet says, <a href="/nheb/acts/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says, <a href="/wbt/acts/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Yet, the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands, as saith the prophet, <a href="/wey/acts/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Yet the Most High does not dwell in buildings erected by men's hands. But, as the Prophet declares, <a href="/web/acts/7.htm">World English Bible</a> However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> But the Most High does not dwell in sanctuaries made with hands, according as the prophet says: <a href="/blb/acts/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Yet the Most High does not dwell in hand-made houses. As the prophet says: <a href="/ylt/acts/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'But the Most High in sanctuaries made with hands doth not dwell, according as the prophet saith: <a href="/slt/acts/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But the Highest dwells not in temples made by hands; as says the prophet,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Yet the most High dwelleth not in houses made by hands, as the prophet saith: <a href="/cpdv/acts/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Yet the Most High does not live in houses built by hands, just as he said through the prophet: <a href="/nabre/acts/7.htm">New American Bible</a> Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: <a href="/nrsvce/acts/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with human hands; as the prophet says,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Yet the Most High did not dwell in temples made with hands for, as the prophet had said, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And The Exalted One does not dwell in the product of hands as The Prophet says:<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Yet the Most High dwells not in temples made with hands, as says the prophet: <a href="/godbey/acts/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But the Most High dwelleth not in houses built with hands, as the prophet says, <a href="/haweis/acts/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Though the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as the prophet saith, <a href="/mace/acts/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a> altho' the most high does not dwell in temples made with hands; as the prophet said, "heaven is my throne, <a href="/wey/acts/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Yet the Most High does not dwell in buildings erected by men's hands. But, as the Prophet declares, <a href="/worrell/acts/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Yet the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as says the prophet, <a href="/worsley/acts/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Though the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands, as the prophet saith, <a href="/parallel/acts/7-48.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=2222" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/7.htm">Stephen's Address to the Sanhedrin</a> …47But it was Solomon who built the house for Him. 48<a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: All’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">However,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5310.htm" title="5310: Hypsistos (Adj-NMS-S) -- Highest, most high, the heights. Superlative from the base of hupsos; highest, i.e. the Supreme, or the heavens.">Most High</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouch (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">does not</a> <a href="/greek/2730.htm" title="2730: katoikei (V-PIA-3S) -- To dwell in, settle in, be established in (permanently), inhabit. From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside.">dwell</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/5499.htm" title="5499: cheiropoiētois (Adj-DMP) -- Done or made with hands, artificial. From cheir and a derivative of poieo; manufactured, i.e. Of human construction.">houses made by human hands.</a> <a href="/greek/2531.htm" title="2531: kathōs (Adv) -- According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.">As</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4396.htm" title="4396: prophētēs (N-NMS) -- From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet.">prophet</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">says:</a> 49‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/66-1.htm">Isaiah 66:1-2</a> This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word. <a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27</a> But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. <a href="/matthew/5-34.htm">Matthew 5:34-35</a> But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. <a href="/john/4-21.htm">John 4:21-24</a> “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. / But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. ... <a href="/2_chronicles/6-18.htm">2 Chronicles 6:18</a> But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. <a href="/psalms/11-4.htm">Psalm 11:4</a> The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men. <a href="/isaiah/57-15.htm">Isaiah 57:15</a> For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite. <a href="/jeremiah/23-24.htm">Jeremiah 23:24</a> “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD. <a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24</a> The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. <a href="/hebrews/9-11.htm">Hebrews 9:11</a> But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16</a> Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? <a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19</a> Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; <a href="/revelation/21-22.htm">Revelation 21:22</a> But I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. <a href="/psalms/102-25.htm">Psalm 102:25-27</a> In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on. / But You remain the same, and Your years will never end. <a href="/isaiah/40-22.htm">Isaiah 40:22</a> He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>However, the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as said the prophet,the most High.<a href="/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8</a> When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.<a href="/psalms/7-17.htm">Psalm 7:17</a> I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.<a href="/psalms/46-4.htm">Psalm 46:4</a> There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.dwelleth.<a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24,25</a> God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; … <a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27</a> But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?<a href="/2_chronicles/2-5.htm">2 Chronicles 2:5,6</a> And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods… as.<a href="/isaiah/66-1.htm">Isaiah 66:1,2</a> Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/13-2.htm">Buildings</a> <a href="/acts/2-17.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/acts/7-4.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/john/14-17.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/john/14-17.htm">Dwells</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-18.htm">Erected</a> <a href="/acts/7-41.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/acts/7-1.htm">High</a> <a href="/acts/5-42.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/acts/5-13.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/acts/7-39.htm">However</a> <a href="/acts/5-38.htm">Human</a> <a href="/acts/7-29.htm">Live</a> <a href="/john/14-2.htm">Places</a> <a href="/acts/7-37.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/acts/2-29.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/amos/7-9.htm">Sanctuaries</a> <a href="/joel/3-5.htm">Temples</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Buildings</a> <a href="/acts/13-41.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/acts/13-27.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/romans/7-17.htm">Dwells</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-14.htm">Erected</a> <a href="/acts/8-17.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/acts/8-10.htm">High</a> <a href="/acts/8-3.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/acts/14-20.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/acts/8-2.htm">However</a> <a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Human</a> <a href="/acts/10-35.htm">Live</a> <a href="/acts/16-3.htm">Places</a> <a href="/acts/7-52.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/acts/7-49.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Sanctuaries</a> <a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Temples</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 7</div>1. <a href="/acts/7-1.htm">Stephen, permitted to answer to the accusation of blasphemy,</a> 2. <a href="/acts/7-2.htm">shows that Abraham worshipped God rightly, and how God chose the fathers,</a> 20. <a href="/acts/7-20.htm">before Moses was born, and before the tabernacle and temple were built;</a> 37. <a href="/acts/7-37.htm">that Moses himself witnessed of Christ;</a> 44. <a href="/acts/7-44.htm">and that all outward ceremonies were ordained to last but for a time;</a> 51. <a href="/acts/7-51.htm">reprehending their rebellion, and murdering of Christ, whom the prophets foretold.</a> 54. <a href="/acts/7-54.htm">Whereupon they stone Stephen to death, </a> 59. <a href="/acts/7-59.htm">who commends his soul to Jesus, and humbly prays for them.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. This phrase challenges the Jewish understanding of the temple as the exclusive dwelling place of God. In the Old Testament, the temple in Jerusalem was seen as the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence (<a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27-30</a>). However, Stephen, in his speech, emphasizes that God is not confined to physical structures. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God is omnipresent and transcends human limitations (<a href="/isaiah/66.htm">Isaiah 66:1-2</a>). The phrase also echoes Solomon's acknowledgment during the temple's dedication that even the highest heavens cannot contain God (<a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27</a>). This understanding is crucial for the early Christian community, which is moving away from temple-centric worship to a more spiritual understanding of God's presence, as seen in Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman in <a href="/john/4-21.htm">John 4:21-24</a>.As the prophet says: Stephen refers to the prophet Isaiah, specifically <a href="/isaiah/66.htm">Isaiah 66:1-2</a>, to support his argument. This prophetic reference underscores the continuity between the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. By quoting Isaiah, Stephen aligns himself with the prophetic tradition that critiques empty ritualism and emphasizes a heart-oriented relationship with God. This connection to Isaiah also highlights the prophetic role of Jesus, who fulfills and expands upon the messages of the prophets. The use of prophecy here serves to validate Stephen's message to his Jewish audience, showing that his teachings are rooted in their own scriptures and not a departure from them.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/stephen.htm">Stephen</a> The speaker of this verse, Stephen is one of the first deacons of the early church and the first Christian martyr. He is addressing the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, in his defense speech. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_most_high.htm">The Most High</a> Refers to God, emphasizing His sovereignty and transcendence above all creation. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_sanhedrin.htm">The Sanhedrin</a> The Jewish council to whom Stephen is speaking. They are the religious leaders of the time, responsible for maintaining Jewish law and tradition. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a> The physical structure in Jerusalem where Jews believed God's presence dwelled. Stephen challenges the notion that God is confined to this physical space. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_prophet_isaiah.htm">The Prophet Isaiah</a> Stephen references the prophet Isaiah, who spoke about God's transcendence beyond physical structures (<a href="/isaiah/66.htm">Isaiah 66:1-2</a>).<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_transcendence.htm">God's Transcendence</a> God is not limited by physical structures or human creations. He is omnipresent and sovereign over all creation. <a href="/topical/t/true_worship.htm">True Worship</a> Worship is not confined to a specific place or building. True worship is about a relationship with God, characterized by spirit and truth. <a href="/topical/c/challenge_to_tradition.htm">Challenge to Tradition</a> Stephen challenges the traditional Jewish understanding of God's presence, encouraging believers to seek a deeper, more personal relationship with God. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_church.htm">The Role of the Church</a> While church buildings are important for community and fellowship, they are not the sole place where God resides. Believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit. <a href="/topical/l/living_faith.htm">Living Faith</a> Our faith should not be limited to rituals or locations but should be a living, active relationship with God that permeates every aspect of our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 7</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_cowboy_church.htm">What defines a cowboy church?</a> <a href="/q/does_isaiah_12_6_conflict_with_god's_omnipresence.htm">Isaiah 12:6: Does calling on the name of the Lord in Zion conflict with other biblical passages that suggest God’s presence is not confined to a single geographic location?</a> <a href="/q/why_need_precious_materials_for_god's_temple.htm">Why would an omnipotent God require precious materials for a temple, as implied in 1 Chronicles 29? </a> <a href="/q/how_can_a_temple_contain_god.htm">In 2 Chronicles 2:4, how can a temple truly contain God if other passages assert He cannot be confined? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(48) Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples.--The sequel shows the impression which these words made on the hearers. Stephen had risen to the truth which, though it had been proclaimed before, had been practically dormant. It broke down the thought of any exclusive holiness in the Temple, and therefore placed its downfall among the chances and changes which might be involved in God's chastisement of the people, and His education of mankind. The inference which we have seen reason to draw as to the probability of some connection, direct or indirect, between Stephen and the Samaritans (see Notes on <a href="/acts/7-16.htm" title="And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulcher that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.">Acts 7:16</a> and <a href="/acts/6-5.htm" title="And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:">Acts 6:5</a>), suggests the thought that we may trace here something like an echo of the teaching of our Lord in His dialogue with the woman of Samaria (<a href="/context/john/4-21.htm" title="Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.">John 4:21-23</a>). It is a fact of singular interest to note how one who now listened to the words as applied to the Temple of the God of Israel, afterwards embraced them in all their fulness, and used them as his text in asserting the truth they embodied as against the Temples of Zeus and Athene (<a href="/acts/17-24.htm" title="God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands;">Acts 17:24</a>).As saith the prophet.--The truth which Stephen asserted had been uttered in the very dedication prayer of the Temple (<a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm" title="But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built?">1Kings 8:27</a>). The builder of the Temple had himself felt that it was the witness not of a localised but a universal Presence. But he turns to what might seem to his hearers a yet higher authority--to the great prophet (<a href="/context/isaiah/66-1.htm" title="Thus said the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that you build to me? and where is the place of my rest?">Isaiah 66:1-2</a>), who was preeminently the preacher of glad tidings, and who had closed his mission with the utterance of the truth that, whatever glory and greatness might attach to the Temple in Jerusalem, the prayer of him that was "poor and of a contrite spirit" was equally acceptable wherever it might be offered. The words were full of deep meaning in themselves. They were yet more significant as showing that the thoughts of Stephen had been turned to that great close of a great work, and that he must thus have been led to that wider vision of the future when all nations and tongues should be gathered to see the glory of the Eternal; and the work of Israel, especially of those who, like himself, belonged to the Dispersion, should be to declare His glory to the Gentiles, and when they, too, should be accepted as priests and Levites in the true Temple (<a href="/isaiah/66-21.htm" title="And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, said the LORD.">Isaiah 66:21</a>). Here also we may think of him as anticipating the widest and highest teaching of St. Paul. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 48. - Houses (in italics) for temples, A.V. and T.R. The word ναοῖς (here, but not in <a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24</a>) is omitted in the R.T. In <a href="/isaiah/16-12.htm">Isaiah 16:12</a>. LXX. (quoted by Meyer), χειροποίητα (plural) is used without a substantive for the "sanctuary" (מִקְדּושׁ) of Moab. For the sentiment that the infinite God, Creator of heaven and earth, cannot be contained in a house built by the hands of men, see also <a href="/2_chronicles/6-18.htm">2 Chronicles 6:18</a>, as well as the passages above quoted. Stephen justifies himself from the charge of having spoken blasphemous words against the temple by citing <a href="/isaiah/66-1.htm">Isaiah 66:1</a>. <a href="/commentaries/acts/7-48.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>However, Ἀλλ’ (All’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Most High Ὕψιστος (Hypsistos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Superlative <a href="/greek/strongs_5310.htm">Strong's 5310: </a> Highest, most high, the heights. Superlative from the base of hupsos; highest, i.e. the Supreme, or the heavens. {does} not οὐχ (ouch) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. live κατοικεῖ (katoikei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2730.htm">Strong's 2730: </a> To dwell in, settle in, be established in (permanently), inhabit. From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [houses] made by human hands. χειροποιήτοις (cheiropoiētois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5499.htm">Strong's 5499: </a> Done or made with hands, artificial. From cheir and a derivative of poieo; manufactured, i.e. Of human construction. As καθὼς (kathōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2531.htm">Strong's 2531: </a> According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. prophet προφήτης (prophētēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4396.htm">Strong's 4396: </a> From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet. says: λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/7-48.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 7:48 However the Most High doesn't dwell (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/7-47.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 7:47"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 7:47" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/7-49.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 7:49"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 7:49" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>