Definition: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 6:14. It's a really important passage about a powerful moment in early Christianity. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: “For we have heard him say…” : This is the key part. The group of Jewish people (the believers) heard someone – a prophet or leader – saying something very significant about Jesus. “…that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place…” : This suggests that the person who said this was warning about something bad happening in Jerusalem, specifically to the followers of Jesus. They were worried about his actions and potential consequences. “…and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.” : This is where it gets more complex. “Moses delivered us” refers to the original Jewish laws and traditions passed down from their ancestors. The person who made this statement was saying that Jesus would break or alter those old rules. He’s implying that Jesus was going to challenge, overturn, or change what they believed was right and important in Judaism. In a nutshell: The group of believers worried that Jesus was about to disrupt the established traditions and laws of Jewish people. What's the Significance? This verse is often seen as a moment of great anxiety and concern within early Christianity. It highlights: Fear & Doubt: The believers were scared because they didn’t understand what Jesus was going to do. The Importance of Tradition: They recognized that Moses had given them important laws and guidelines, and now Jesus was potentially rejecting or changing those. Important Note: It's a complex passage that has been interpreted in different ways over time. It doesn’t necessarily mean Jesus will destroy the place (Jerusalem). It could be about his actions within Jerusalem itself. --- Would you like me to explain any of these points further? For example, we could: Discuss the context of this verse in Acts 6. Explore what "customs" might mean in this ancient Jewish setting. Talk about how this passage relates to later Christian beliefs and interpretations?