And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
First Election and Ordination of Deacons (6:1-6)
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, х pleethunontoon (G4129)] - 'when the disciples were growing numerous.' Since this took place not long before Stephen's death, at which Saul of Tarsus was present (Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1), it could hardly have occurred earlier than two or three years after the great day of Pentecost.
There arose a murmuring of the Grecians, х Helleenistoon (G1675)] - not Greeks, but Greek-speaking Jews, who for the most part were born in foreign countries;
Against the Hebrews - those Jews, born in Palestine, whose mother-tongue was Hebrew (more strictly Syro-Chaldaic or Aramaic), and who regarded the "Grecians" as an inferior class of Jews;
Because their widows were neglected, х paretheoorounto (G3865)] - or 'overlooked.' The imperfect tense conveys the idea of 'getting overlooked,' by those whom the apostles employed to distribute the liberality of the Christian community, and who, it would appear, were of the 'Hebrew' class, as being probably the most numerous. The complaint was, in all likelihood, well founded, though we cannot suspect the distributors of intentional partiality. It was really (as Olshausen remarks) lust an emulation of love, each party wishing to have their own door cared for in the best manner.
In the daily ministration - the daily distribution either of alms or of food; probably the latter (see the note at Acts 6:2).