Acts 7:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As Joseph becomes ruler where he was sold, so Christ manifests power in death. This was not merely a sign of honor, but the consequence of His own power.

But let us return to what was said before: “And he made him ruler over Egypt and over all his house.”

In these events also the justice of Gamaliel’s word is revealed: “If it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it” (Acts 5:39).

When you see how the persecuted become the cause of salvation for their persecutors, marvel at the wisdom and understanding of God.

If the former had not been persecuted, the latter would not have been saved.

Famine came, and they did not perish. Not only did they not perish, but they were saved by the very man whom they had wanted to destroy.

A royal decree went forth and did not wipe them out. Rather, they multiplied even more when the king who knew them had died.

They wanted to destroy their Deliverer, and did not succeed in this.

Do you see how, through the very thing by which the devil strove to make God’s promise vain, it was fulfilled all the more?

So also He makes the one sold into slavery a ruler in the very place where he was regarded as a slave. As Joseph becomes ruler where he was sold, so Christ manifests power in death.

The basis for this charge was that, in disputing with the Jews, Stephen had expressed the thought that the Law of Moses was abolished in the New Testament. This included all its many ordinances and institutions, not excluding the Jerusalem temple.

That temple was now no longer the only place of true worship (Jn 4:21 and following).

Stephen now briefly recounts the history of God’s divine economy for the salvation of Israel. By the mere presentation of this history, he defends himself against the charge of blasphemy.

Through it he makes clear what God he confesses and how he confesses Him. For this purpose, among other things, at the beginning of his speech he calls God “the God of glory” (v. 2).

By this he shows with what reverence he treats this holy Name. Then, by pointing in the history of Israel to the world-governing right hand of God, he confesses still more clearly the whole majesty of God.

Archdeacon Stephen spoke many words in exaltation of the patriarch Joseph, honored by all. Could one not excuse and justify him for not keeping silent about the other patriarchs?

He said of them only four words: that the patriarchs, out of envy, sold Joseph.

“Knowing no guilt in their brother, they treated him so badly, and this at the very time when he had come to them with food for them.”

But Christ, prefigured by him, offered Himself as food to the faithful, giving His most pure Body and holy Blood for the common salvation of mankind.

He cried to Israel: “I am the living bread. He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn 6:51, 54).

They murmured against Him both for this and because He promised them a spring of water flowing into eternal life (see Jn 6:51, 54, 61).

The expression “God was with him,” that is, with Joseph, shows his special divine election, which his brothers envied. They were displeased even that he saw significant dreams (see Gen. 37).

In the interpretation of dreams Joseph manifested this divine election even before the Egyptians. They, however, attributed it to ordinary wisdom, which, in their view, he displayed in many other things also.

They did not understand that this wisdom was from above (see Gen. 40-41).