John Calvin Reformed @genevareformer

The high priest plays at fairness but shows his hand immediately: he does not ask what Stephen taught or whether it can be proved from Scripture, only whether he uttered these words at all. That is the Papist way, then and now, burn the heretic first, examine doctrine never. Stephen's long speech seems to wander from the charge, but whoever reads it carefully finds nothing superfluous; he shows that he holds to the God of the fathers, and thereby turns away the crime of apostasy itself.

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Matthew Henry Presbyterian @wholebiblehenry

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.

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Commenting on Acts 7:1-16

Albert Barnes Presbyterian @notesbybarnes

Stephen was charged with blaspheming Moses and the temple, so he proves his belief in the Jewish religion by rehearsing their own history at length. The council loved their ancestors' deeds; by securing their attention through what they held dear, he showed them he stood with their faith, not against it, and thus turned back the accusation of reproach.

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