What names did Stephen use for the Jewish religious leaders?
Stephen called the Jewish religious leaders betrayers and murderers. He charged them with slaying the prophets and being the betrayers and murderers of the Just One, the Messiah. This was a direct accusation of guilt against Israel's leaders in the passage.
Les explains that Stephen was speaking to the religious leaders of Israel in Acts 7. He reminded them that their fathers had persecuted and killed the prophets, and that they themselves had now become the betrayers and murderers of the Just One, the Messiah. Les points out that Stephen used these strong terms—betrayers and murderers—to describe their guilt. He notes that this was not kind language, but it accurately reflected what Israel had done in killing their Messiah. Les also connects this to the parable of the vineyard, where the servants were killed and finally the son was killed, illustrating the pattern of rejection.