The Stoning of Stephen

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious(A) and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit,(B) looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.(C) 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open(D) and the Son of Man(E) standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city(F) and began to stone him.(G) Meanwhile, the witnesses(H) laid their coats(I) at the feet of a young man named Saul.(J)

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”(K) 60 Then he fell on his knees(L) and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”(M) When he had said this, he fell asleep.(N)

And Saul(O) approved of their killing him.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered(P) throughout Judea and Samaria.(Q)

Stephen the Martyr

54 (A)When they heard these things they were [a]cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, (B)being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the (C)glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! (D)I see the heavens opened and the (E)Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And (F)the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, (G)receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, (H)“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Saul Persecutes the Church

Now Saul was consenting to his death.

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and (I)they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 7:54 furious

The Stoning of Stephen

54 Now when they heard these things (A)they were enraged, and they (B)ground their teeth at him. 55 But he, (C)full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw (D)the glory of God, and Jesus standing (E)at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see (F)the heavens opened, and (G)the Son of Man standing (H)at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together[a] at him. 58 Then (I)they cast him out of the city and (J)stoned him. And (K)the witnesses laid down their garments (L)at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, (M)he called out, “Lord Jesus, (N)receive my spirit.” 60 And (O)falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, (P)“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, (Q)he fell asleep.

Saul Ravages the Church

And (R)Saul (S)approved of his execution.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and (T)they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 7:57 Or rushed with one mind

54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage.[a] 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.[b]

59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.

Persecution Scatters the Believers

A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.

Footnotes

  1. 7:54 Greek they were grinding their teeth against him.
  2. 7:58 Saul is later called Paul; see 13:9.