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Stephen Put to Death

54 Now when [a]they heard this [accusation and understood its implication], they were cut to the heart, and they began grinding their teeth [in rage] at him. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit and led by Him, gazed into heaven and saw the glory [the great splendor and majesty] of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Look! I see the heavens opened up [in welcome] and [b]the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they shouted with loud voices, and covered their ears and together rushed at him [considering him guilty of blasphemy]. 58 Then they drove him out of the city and began stoning him; and the witnesses placed their outer robes at the feet of a young man named [c]Saul.(A) 59 They continued stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit!” 60 Then falling on his knees [in worship], he cried out loudly, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them [do not charge them]!” When he had said this, he fell asleep [in death].

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 7:54 This would include the members of the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) and those witnessing the proceedings.
  2. Acts 7:56 The vision acknowledged Stephen’s right standing with God.
  3. Acts 7:58 At this time Saul (later known as the apostle Paul) was an active and devoted Pharisee.

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)

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