Acts 7:48-50 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Howbeit Αλλα, but, or yet; we are not to imagine that God permitted a temple to be built even then for his own sake: for it was acknowledged, at the same time, by Solomon himself, that the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands Be they ever so rich, splendid, and majestic. As saith the prophet Namely, Isaiah, chap. Isaiah 66:1, where, speaking in the name of God, he says, Heaven is my throne, and earth my footstool; and how then should my presence be confined to any particular place? What house will ye build me Suitable for me; saith the Lord: or, what is the place of my rest? Have I need of rest? What need have I of a house? either to rest in, or wherein to show my glory? Hath not my hand made all these things? Whatever splendour any temples may have, did not I form the materials with which they are built, and endow the workmen, that fashioned them, with all their art and genius? Do not imagine, then, that you can confer any obligation upon me by such structures as these, or any act of homage which you can render to me in them, nor think that you can charm me to continue my abode there, or to be a constant guard to you, merely because you have such edifices among you.