The Meaning of Acts 7:52 Explained

Acts 7:52

KJV: Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

YLT: which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed those who declared before about the coming of the Righteous One, of whom now ye betrayers and murderers have become,

Darby: Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain those who announced beforehand concerning the coming of the Just One, of whom ye have now become deliverers up and murderers!

ASV: Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Which  of the prophets  have  not  your  fathers  persecuted?  and  they have slain  them which  shewed before  of  the coming  of the Just One;  of whom  ye  have been  now  the betrayers  and  murderers: 

What does Acts 7:52 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The Sanhedrin members were behaving just as their forefathers had. Note that Stephen had previously associated himself with "our fathers" ( Acts 7:2; Acts 7:11-12; Acts 7:15; Acts 7:19; Acts 7:39; Acts 7:44-45), but now he disassociated himself from the Sanhedrin by referring to "your fathers." "Our fathers" were the trusting and obeying patriarchs, but "your fathers" were the unresponsive apostates. The Jews" ill treatment of their prophets was well known and self-admitted (cf. 2 Chronicles 36:15-16; Nehemiah 9:26; Jeremiah 2:30). They had consistently resisted God"s messengers to them, even killing the heralds of God"s Righteous One (cf. Acts 3:14; 1 Kings 19:10; 1 Kings 19:14; Nehemiah 9:26; Jeremiah 26:20-24; Luke 6:23; Luke 11:49; Luke 13:34; 1 Thessalonians 2:15; Hebrews 11:36-38). Stephen said the Sanhedrin members were responsible for the betrayal and murder of that one, Jesus.

Context Summary

Acts 7:47-60 - A Martyr's Glorious Death
Words like these could not be forgiven. The growing irritation of the audience seems to have extorted those burning remonstrances, and to have hastened the final scene. But the storm that burst around Christ's faithful confessor and first martyr could not disturb his serenity. His heart was fixed, trusting in God, Psalms 108:1. The peace of God garrisoned his heart and mind. At the moment when his foes were fiercest, the presence of Jesus, who had risen from sitting to standing, in order to encourage and welcome him, was most vital. It will always be even so. You will never know the completeness of Christ's comradeship till you have weathered a storm in His company.
They were particular not to violate the sanctity of the Temple, but not so in respect to the pure temple of the young martyr's body. The dying Stephen did not forget the Lord's prayer for those who crucified Him, and he followed his Master's steps in this also. Amid the murderous flight of stones, he slept as a tired child on his mother's breast; and from that hour his patience, gentleness, and strength became as pricking goads in the heart of Saul of Tarsus. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 7

1  Stephen, permitted to answer to the accusation of blasphemy,
2  shows that Abraham worshipped God rightly, and how God chose the fathers,
20  before Moses was born, and before the tabernacle and temple were built;
37  that Moses himself witnessed of Christ;
44  and that all outward ceremonies were ordained to last but for a time;
51  reprehending their rebellion, and murdering of Christ, whom the prophets foretold
54  Whereupon they stone Stephen to death,
59  who commends his soul to Jesus, and humbly prays for them

Greek Commentary for Acts 7:52

Which of the prophets [τινα των προπητων]
Jesus (Luke 11:47; Matthew 23:29-37) had charged them with this very thing. Cf. 2 Chronicles 36:16. [source]
Which shewed before [προκαταγγειλαντας]
The very prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah their fathers killed. The coming (της ελευσεως — tēs eleuseōs). Not in ancient Greek or lxx and only here in the N.T. (in a few late writers). Betrayers Just like Judas Iscariot. He hurled this old biting word at them. In the N.T. only here and Luke 6:16; 2 Timothy 3:4. It cut like a knife. It is blunter than Peter in Acts 3:13. Murderers (πονεις — phoneis). The climax with this sharp word used of Barabbas (Acts 3:14). [source]
The coming [της ελευσεως]
Not in ancient Greek or lxx and only here in the N.T. (in a few late writers). [source]
Betrayers [προδοται]
Just like Judas Iscariot. He hurled this old biting word at them. In the N.T. only here and Luke 6:16; 2 Timothy 3:4. It cut like a knife. It is blunter than Peter in Acts 3:13. Murderers (πονεις — phoneis). The climax with this sharp word used of Barabbas (Acts 3:14). [source]
Murderers [πονεις]
The climax with this sharp word used of Barabbas (Acts 3:14). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 7:52

John 13:11 ( παραδίδοται ) [παραδίδοται]
See on Matthew 4:12, and compare προδότης , betrayer, Luke 6:16; Acts 7:52; 2 Timothy 3:4. [source]
Acts 22:14 The God of our fathers - Just One []
A conciliatory touch in Paul's speech, mentioning both God and Christ by their Jewish names. Compare Acts 3:14; Acts 7:52. [source]
Acts 28:25 They departed [ειποντος του Παυλου ρημα εν]
Imperfect middle (direct) indicative, “They loosed themselves from Paul.” Graphic close. After that Paul had spoken one word (καλως — eipontos tou Paulou rhēma hen). Genitive absolute. One last word (like a preacher) after the all day exposition. Well Cf. Matthew 14:7; Mark 7:6, Mark 7:9 (irony). Here strong indignation in the very position of the word (Page). To your fathers (ημων — pros tous pateras humōn). So Aleph A B instead of hēmōn (our) like Stephen in Acts 7:52 whose words Paul had heard. By mentioning the Holy Spirit Paul shows (Knowling) that they are resisting God (Acts 7:52). [source]
Acts 28:25 Well [προς τους πατερας υμων]
Cf. Matthew 14:7; Mark 7:6, Mark 7:9 (irony). Here strong indignation in the very position of the word (Page). To your fathers (ημων — pros tous pateras humōn). So Aleph A B instead of hēmōn (our) like Stephen in Acts 7:52 whose words Paul had heard. By mentioning the Holy Spirit Paul shows (Knowling) that they are resisting God (Acts 7:52). [source]
Acts 28:25 To your fathers [ημων]
So Aleph A B instead of hēmōn (our) like Stephen in Acts 7:52 whose words Paul had heard. By mentioning the Holy Spirit Paul shows (Knowling) that they are resisting God (Acts 7:52). [source]
Acts 3:18 Foreshewed [προκατηγγειλεν]
First aorist active indicative of προκαταγγελλω — prokataggellō late compound to announce fully beforehand. Only twice in the N.T. in the critical text (Acts 3:18; Acts 7:52). [source]
Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed [δικαιοσύνη γὰρ Θεοῦ ἐν ἀυτῷ ἀποκαλύπτεται]
Rev., more correctly, therein is revealed a righteousness of God. The absence of the article denotes that a peculiar kind of righteousness is meant. This statement contains the subject of the epistle: Righteousness is by faith. The subject is not stated formally nor independently, but as a proof that the Gospel is a power, etc. This word δικαιοσύνη righteousnessand its kindred words δίκαιος righteousand δικαιόω tomake righteous, play so important a part in this epistle that it is desirable to fix their meaning as accurately as possible. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Classical Usage. In the Greek classics there appears an eternal, divine, unwritten principle of right, dwelling in the human consciousness, shaping both the physical and the moral ordering of the world, and personified as Themis ( Θέμις ). This word is used as a common noun in the phrase θέμις ἐστὶ itis right (fundamentally and eternally), like the Latin fas est. Thus Homer, of Penelope mourning for Ulysses, θέμις ἐστὶ γυναικός itis the sacred obligation of the wife (founded in her natural relation to her husband, ordained of heaven) to mourn (“Odyssey,” 14,130). So Antigone appeals to the unwritten law against the barbarity of refusing burial to her brother.“Nor did I deem thy edicts strong enough,That thou, a mortal man, shouldst overpass The unwritten laws of God that know not change.”Sophocles, “Antigone,” 453-455.See, also, “Odyssey,” 14,91; Aristophanes, “Clouds,” 140; “Antigone,” 880. This divine ordering requires that men should be shown or pointed to that which is according to it - a definite circle of duties and obligations which constitute right ( δίκη ). Thus what is δίκαιος righteousis properly the expression of the eternal Themis. While δίκη and θέμις are not to be distinguished as human and divine, δίκη has a more distinctively human, personal character, and comes into sharper definition. It introduces the distinction between absolute right and power. It imposes the recognition of a moral principle over against an absolutely constraining natural force. The conception of δίκη is strongly moral. Δίκαιος is right; δικαιοσύνη is rightness as characterizing the entire being of man. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
There is a religious background to the pagan conception. In the Homeric poems morality stands in a relation, loose and undeveloped indeed, but none the less real, to religion. This appears in the use of the oath in compacts; in the fear of the wrath of heaven for omission of sacrifices; in regarding refusal of hospitality as an offense against Zeus, the patron of strangers and suppliants. Certain tribes which are fierce and uncivilized are nevertheless described as δίκαιοι righteous“The characteristic stand-point of the Homeric ethics is that the spheres of law, of morals, and of religion are by no means separate, but lie side by side in undeveloped unity.” (Nagelsbach). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
In later Greek literature this conception advances, in some instances, far toward the christian ideal; as in the fourth book of Plato's “Laws,” where he asserts that God holds in His hand the beginning, middle, and end of all things; that justice always follows Him, and punishes those who fall short of His laws. Those who would be dear to God must be like Him. Without holiness no man is accepted of God. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Nevertheless, however clearly the religious background and sanction of morality may be recognized, it is apparent that the basis of right is found, very largely, in established social usage. The word ethics points first to what is established by custom. While with Mr. Grote we must admit the peculiar emphasis on the individual in the Homeric poems, we cannot help observing a certain influence of social sentiment on morals. While there are cases like the suitors, Paris and Helen, where public opinion imposes no moral check, there are others where the force of public opinion is clearly visible, such as Penelope and Nausicaa. The Homeric view of homicide reveals no relation between moral sentiment and divine enactment. Murder is a breach of social law, a private and civil wrong, entailing no loss of character. Its penalty is a satisfaction to the feelings of friends, or a compensation for lost services. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Later, we find this social aspect of morality even more strongly emphasized. “The city becomes the central and paramount source of obligation. The great, impersonal authority called 'the Laws' stands out separately, both as guide and sanction, distinct from religious duty or private sympathy” (Grote). Socrates is charged with impiety because he does not believe in the gods of the state, and Socrates himself agrees that that man does right who obeys what the citizens have agreed should be done, and who refrains from what they forbid. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The social basis of righteousness also appears in the frequent contrast between δίκη and βία , right and force. A violation of right is that which forces its way over the social sanction. The social conception of δίκαιος is not lost, even when the idea is so apprehended as to border on the christian love of one's neighbor. There is a wrong toward the gods, but every wrong is not in itself such. The inner, personal relation to deity, the absolute and constraining appeal of divine character and law to conscience, the view of duty as one's right, and of personal right as something to be surrendered to the paramount claim of love - all these elements which distinguish the christian conception of righteousness - are thus in sharp contrast with a righteousness dictated by social claims which limit the individual desire or preference, but which leave untouched the tenacity of personal right, and place obligation behind legitimacy. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
It is desirable that the classical usage of these terms should be understood, in order to throw into sharper relief the Biblical usage, according to which God is the absolute and final standard of right, and every wrong is a sin against God (Psalm 51:4). Each man stands in direct and primary relation to the holy God as He is by the law of His own nature. Righteousness is union with God in character. To the Greek mind of the legendary age such a conception is both strange and essentially impossible, since the Greek divinity is only the Greek man exaggerated in his virtues and vices alike. According to the christian ideal, righteousness is character, and the norm of character is likeness to God. This idea includes all the social aspects of right. Love and duty toward God involve love and duty to the neighbor. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Here must be noted a peculiar usage of δίκαιος righteousand δικαιοσύνη righteousnessin the Septuagint. They are at times interchanged with ἐλεημοσύνη mercyand ἔλεος kindnessThe Hebrew chesed kindness, though usually rendered by ἔλεος , is nine times translated by δικαιοσύνη righteousnessand once by δίκαιος righteousThe Hebrew tsedakah usually rendered by δικαιοσύνη , is nine times translated by ἐλεημοσύνη mercyand three times by ἔλεος kindnessCompare the Heb. and Sept. at Deuteronomy 6:25; Deuteronomy 24:13(15); Genesis 19:19; Genesis 24:27. This usage throws light on the reading δικαιοσύνην , Rev., righteousness (kindness? ), instead of ἐλεημοσύνην mercyA.V., alms, Matthew 6:1. Mr. Hatch (“Essays in Biblical Greek”) says that the meaning kindness is so clear in this passage that scribes, who were unaware of its existence, altered the text. He also thinks that this meaning gives a better sense than any other to Matthew 1:19“Joseph, being a kindly ( δίκαιος , A.V., just ) man.”-DIVIDER-
1. In the New Testament δίκαιος is used both of God and of Christ. Of God, 1 John 1:9; John 17:25; Revelation 16:5; Romans 3:26. Of Christ, 1 John 2:1; 1 John 3:7; Acts 3:14; Acts 7:52; Acts 22:14. In these passages the word characterizes God and Christ either in their essential quality or in their action; either as righteous according to the eternal norm of divine holiness (John 17:25; 1 John 3:7; Romans 3:26), or as holiness passes into righteous dealing with men (1 John 1:9). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
2. Δίκαιος is used of men, denoting their normal relation to the will and judgment of God. Hence it means virtuous, upright, pure in life, correct in thinking and feeling. It stands opposed to ἀνομία lawlessness ἁμαρτία sin ἀκαθαρσία impuritya contrast wanting in classical usage, where the conception of sin is vague. See Romans 6:13, Romans 6:16, Romans 6:18, Romans 6:20; Romans 8:10; 2 Corinthians 6:7, 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:9; Ephesians 6:14; Philemon 1:11; James 3:18. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Where δικαιοσύνη righteousnessis joined with ὁσιότης holiness(Luke 1:75; Ephesians 4:24), it denotes right conduct toward men, as holiness denotes piety toward God. It appears in the wider sense of answering to the demands of God in general, Matthew 13:17; Matthew 10:41; Matthew 23:29; Acts 10:22, Acts 10:35; and in the narrower sense of perfectly answering the divine demands, guiltless. So of Christ, Acts 3:14; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:1. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
3. It is found in the classical sense of it is right, Philemon 1:7, or that which is right, Colossians 4:1. This, however, is included within the Christian conception. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Δικαιοσύνη righteousnessis therefore that which fulfills the claims of δίκη right“It is the state commanded by God and standing the test of His judgment; the character and acts of a man approved of Him, in virtue of which the man corresponds with Him and His will as His ideal and standard” (Cremer). -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
The medium of this righteousness is faith. Faith is said to be counted or reckoned for righteousness; i.e., righteousness is ascribed to it or recognized in it. Romans 4:3, Romans 4:6, Romans 4:9, Romans 4:22; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
In this verse the righteousness revealed in the Gospel is described as a righteousness of God. This does not mean righteousness as an attribute of God, as in Romans 3:5; but righteousness as bestowed on man by God. The state of the justified man is due to God. The righteousness which becomes his is that which God declares to be righteousness and ascribes to him. Righteousness thus expresses the relation of being right into which God puts the man who believes. See further, on justified, Romans 2:13.Is revealed ( ἀποκαλύπτεται )Emphasizing the peculiar sense in which “righteousness” is used here. Righteousness as an attribute of God was revealed before the Gospel. Righteousness in this sense is a matter of special revelation through the Gospel. The present tense describes the Gospel in its continuous proclamation: is being revealed.From faith to faith ( ἐκ πίστεως εἰς πίστιν )Rev., by faith unto faith. According to the A.V. the idea is that of progress in faith itself; either from Old to New Testament faith, or, in the individual, from a lower to a higher degree of faith; and this idea, I think, must be held here, although it is true that it is introduced secondarily, since Paul is dealing principally with the truth that righteousness is by faith. We may rightly say that the revealed righteousness of God is unto faith, in the sense of with a view to produce faith; but we may also say that faith is a progressive principle; that the aim of God's justifying righteousness is life, and that the just lives by his faith (Galatians 2:20), and enters into “more abundant” life with the development of his faith. Compare 2 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 6:19; and the phrase, justification of life, Romans 5:18.sa40 [source]

Galatians 3:19 It was added because of transgressions [των παραβασεων χαριν προσετετη]
First aorist passive of προστιτημι — prostithēmi old verb to add to. It is only in apparent contradiction to Galatians 3:15., because in Paul‘s mind the law is no part of the covenant, but a thing apart “in no way modifying its provisions” (Burton). Χαριν — Charin is the adverbial accusative of χαρις — charis which was used as a preposition with the genitive as early as Homer, in favour of, for the sake of. Except in 1 John 3:12 it is post-positive in the N.T. as in ancient Greek. It may be causal (Luke 7:47; 1 John 3:12) or telic (Titus 1:5, Titus 1:11; Judges 1:16). It is probably also telic here, not in order to create transgressions, but rather “to make transgressions palpable” (Ellicott), “thereby pronouncing them to be from that time forward transgressions of the law” (Rendall). Παραβασις — Parabasis from παραβαινω — parabainō is in this sense a late word (Plutarch on), originally a slight deviation, then a wilful disregarding of known regulations or prohibitions as in Romans 2:23. Till the seed should come (αχρις αν ελτηι το σπερμα — achris an elthēi to sperma). Future time with αχρις αν — achris an and aorist subjunctive (usual construction). Christ he means by το σπερμα — to sperma as in Galatians 3:16. The promise hath been made Probably impersonal perfect passive rather than middle of επαγγελλομαι — epaggellomai as in 2 Maccabees 4:27. Ordained through angels (διαταγεις δι αγγελων — diatageis di' aggelōn). Second aorist passive participle of διατασσω — diatassō (see note on Matthew 11:1). About angels and the giving of the law see Deuteronomy 33:2 (lxx); Acts 7:38, Acts 7:52; Hebrews 2:2; Josephus (Ant. XV. 5. 3). By the hand of a mediator Εν χειρι — En cheiri is a manifest Aramaism or Hebraism and only here in the N.T. It is common in the lxx. Μεσιτης — Mesitēs from μεσος — mesos is middle or midst, is a late word (Polybius, Diodorus, Philo, Josephus) and common in the papyri in legal transactions for arbiter, surety, etc. Here of Moses, but also of Christ (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). [source]
Galatians 3:19 Ordained through angels [διαταγεις δι αγγελων]
Second aorist passive participle of διατασσω — diatassō (see note on Matthew 11:1). About angels and the giving of the law see Deuteronomy 33:2 (lxx); Acts 7:38, Acts 7:52; Hebrews 2:2; Josephus (Ant. XV. 5. 3). [source]
Galatians 3:19 The promise hath been made [επηγγελται]
Probably impersonal perfect passive rather than middle of επαγγελλομαι — epaggellomai as in 2 Maccabees 4:27. Ordained through angels (διαταγεις δι αγγελων — diatageis di' aggelōn). Second aorist passive participle of διατασσω — diatassō (see note on Matthew 11:1). About angels and the giving of the law see Deuteronomy 33:2 (lxx); Acts 7:38, Acts 7:52; Hebrews 2:2; Josephus (Ant. XV. 5. 3). By the hand of a mediator Εν χειρι — En cheiri is a manifest Aramaism or Hebraism and only here in the N.T. It is common in the lxx. Μεσιτης — Mesitēs from μεσος — mesos is middle or midst, is a late word (Polybius, Diodorus, Philo, Josephus) and common in the papyri in legal transactions for arbiter, surety, etc. Here of Moses, but also of Christ (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). [source]
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors [προδόται]
Or betrayers. Only here, Luke 6:16; Acts 7:52. [source]
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors [προδοται]
Old word (from προδιδωμι — prodidōmi), in N.T. only here, Luke 6:16; Acts 7:52. [source]
James 5:6 Ye have killed the righteous one [επονευσατε τον δικαιον]
First aorist active indicative of πονευω — phoneuō (James 2:11; James 4:2). “The righteous one” Stephen (Acts 7:52) directly accuses the Sanhedrin with being betrayers and murderers It is possible to treat this as a question. Present middle indicative of αντιτασσω — antitassō for which see James 4:6. Without a question the unresisting end of the victim (τον δικαιον — ton dikaion) is pictured. With a question (ουκ — ouk expecting an affirmative answer) God or Lord is the subject, with the final judgment in view. There is no way to decide definitely. [source]
1 John 2:29 Righteous [δίκαιος]
Used by John both of God and of Christ. Of God, 1 John 1:9; John 17:25; Revelation 16:5; of Christ, 1 John 2:1; 1 John 3:7. Compare Acts 3:14; Acts 7:52; Acts 22:14. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 7:52 mean?

Which of the prophets not did persecute the fathers of you And they killed those having foretold about the coming of the Righteous One of whom now you betrayers murderers have become
τίνα τῶν προφητῶν οὐκ ἐδίωξαν οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν καὶ ἀπέκτειναν τοὺς προκαταγγείλαντας περὶ τῆς ἐλεύσεως τοῦ Δικαίου οὗ νῦν ὑμεῖς προδόται φονεῖς ἐγένεσθε

τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
προφητῶν  prophets 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: προφήτης  
Sense: in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things.
ἐδίωξαν  did  persecute 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: διώκω  
Sense: to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away.
πατέρες  fathers 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: προπάτωρ 
Sense: generator or male ancestor.
ὑμῶν  of  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἀπέκτειναν  they  killed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἀποκτείνω 
Sense: to kill in any way whatever.
τοὺς  those 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
προκαταγγείλαντας  having  foretold 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: προκαταγγέλλω  
Sense: to announce beforehand (that a thing will be).
περὶ  about 
Parse: Preposition
Root: περί 
Sense: about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near.
ἐλεύσεως  coming 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἔλευσις  
Sense: a coming, advent.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Δικαίου  Righteous  One 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: δίκαιος  
Sense: righteous, observing divine laws.
οὗ  of  whom 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
νῦν  now 
Parse: Adverb
Root: νῦν  
Sense: at this time, the present, now.
προδόται  betrayers 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: προδότης  
Sense: a betrayer, traitor.
φονεῖς  murderers 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: φονεύς  
Sense: a murderer, a homicide.
ἐγένεσθε  have  become 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 2nd Person Plural
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.