When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit.
The high priest speaks with a show of fairness, yet his tone is haughty and his prejudgment plain: if Stephen has spoken such words, he shall be condemned as a blasphemer. But Stephen's answer proves him a man mighty in Scripture, filled with the Holy Ghost not to reveal new secrets, but to bring the Old Testament writings to remembrance and convict his gainsayers.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 7:1-16
But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt,.... Not then growing, or gathering in there, or that was of that year's produce; for the famine was strong in the land of Egypt, as well as in Canaan; but was what had been laid up, and preserved in the seven years of plenty, by the order and care of Joseph; which by some means...
Verse 12. Was corn in Egypt. The word corn here rather denotes wheat. . Our fathers. His ten sons; all his sons except Joseph and Benjamin, . Stephen here refers only to the history, without entering into details. By this general reference he sufficiently showed that he believed what Moses had spoken, and did not intend to show him disrespect.