Acts 7:51

Ye stiffnecked. The sudden change in the tenor of Stephen’s address doubtless is to be accounted for by the growing excitement of the Sanhedrin, and the resentment aroused by his words (cf. AA 100; Matt. 26:65). Apparently realizing that his end was near, and that no further discussion would affect the issue, Stephen broke forth in a stern rebuke. The adjectives he used had been applied to the sins of ancient Israel:

“stiffnecked” in Ex. 33:3, 5; 34:9, and “uncircumcised” in Lev. 26:41. “Stiffnecked” is applied to stubborn oxen (see on Ex. 32:8). The actual phrase “uncircumcised in heart” had been used by Ezekiel (ch. 44:7) of “strangers.” Now at the very moment when Stephen had been telling them that their veneration of the Temple was excessive and futile, he put them in the class of the Gentiles. No worse insult could have been directed against these furious people.

Always resist the Holy Ghost. An accurate historical summary, for from the days of Moses, whom their fathers had disobeyed, down to the days of Jesus Christ, whom they had crucified, the people of Israel had resisted the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for “resist” (antipipto) implies active, strenuous opposition.