And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years.
Stephen reminded the Jews how wretchedly their fathers lay in Egypt to humble their proud spirits and teach them modesty, but also to display God's grace, that He had always cared for that nation. The Church belonged to God before ever the temple stood or ceremonies were ordained. Yet this trial cut deep: Abraham was promised Canaan, then told his seed would serve in bondage four hundred years. How could the mind not be torn when God seemed to have forgotten His own word?
AI summary
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
The four hundred years must be reckoned from Isaac's birth, not from the descent into Egypt. Count sixty years from Isaac to Jacob, one hundred thirty from Jacob's entry to the exodus, that gives two hundred ten in Egypt. Add the sojourning in Canaan before, and the total reaches four hundred years. The evil entreating belongs to lands beyond Egypt, though Egypt is chiefly meant.
AI summary