Discovery BoxActs 5:37 
Context5:37 After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census, 1 and incited people to follow him in revolt. 2 He too was killed, and all who followed him were scattered.
Acts 6:1
Context6:1 Now in those 3 days, when the disciples were growing in number, 4 a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews 5 against the native Hebraic Jews, 6 because their widows 7 were being overlooked 8 in the daily distribution of food. 9
1 tn Or “registration.”
2 tn The verb ἀφίστημι (afisthmi) as a transitive means “cause to revolt” as used in Josephus, Ant. 8.7.5 (8.198), 20.5.2 (20.102); see BDAG 157 s.v. 1.
3 tn Grk “these.” The translation uses “those” for stylistic reasons.
4 tn Grk “were multiplying.”
5 tn Grk “the Hellenists,” but this descriptive term is largely unknown to the modern English reader. The translation “Greek-speaking Jews” attempts to convey something of who these were, but it was more than a matter of language spoken; it involved a degree of adoption of Greek culture as well.
sn The Greek-speaking Jews were the Hellenists, Jews who to a greater or lesser extent had adopted Greek thought, customs, and lifestyle, as well as the Greek language. The city of Alexandria in Egypt was a focal point for them, but they were scattered throughout the Roman Empire.
6 tn Grk “against the Hebrews,” but as with “Hellenists” this needs further explanation for the modern reader.
7 sn The care of widows is a major biblical theme: Deut 10:18; 16:11, 14; 24:17, 19-21; 26:12-13; 27:19; Isa 1:17-23; Jer 7:6; Mal 3:5.
8 tn Or “neglected.”
9 tn Grk “in the daily serving.”
sn The daily distribution of food. The early church saw it as a responsibility to meet the basic needs of people in their group.
