The defendant stands before the court in session, tier upon tier of dignified jurists of Israel's highest court. Stephen transfixes those who would be his judge. It's as though they cannot take their eyes off him (compare 1:10; 3:4, 12; 7:55). And no wonder: his face was like the face of an angel! Though this certainly reflects divine approval of his witness (Stott 1990:129) and parallels the effects of Moses' standing in God's presence (Ex 34:29, 35; Marshall 1980:131), Jesus' transfiguration is a better immediate model for what is happening here (Lk 9:29). So full of the Spirit, so full of wisdom, faith, grace, and power is Stephen that the glory of God shines from his face. To a greater or lesser extent, that's the way it is with all those who are full of the Spirit of God (2 Cor 3:18).