The First Christian Martyr

54 When they heard these things, they were enraged[a] and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven. He saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.(A) 56 He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (B)

57 They yelled at the top of their voices, covered their ears, and together rushed against him. 58 They dragged him out of the city and began to stone(C) him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.(D) 59 While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” (E) 60 He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice,(F) “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And after saying this, he fell asleep.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 7:54 Or were cut to the quick

54 Once the council members heard these words, they were enraged and began to grind their teeth at Stephen. 55 But Stephen, enabled by the Holy Spirit, stared into heaven and saw God’s majesty and Jesus standing at God’s right side. 56 He exclaimed, “Look! I can see heaven on display and the Human One[a] standing at God’s right side!” 57 At this, they shrieked and covered their ears. Together, they charged at him, 58 threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses placed their coats in the care of a young man named Saul. 59 As they battered him with stones, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, accept my life!” 60 Falling to his knees, he shouted, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” Then he died.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 7:56 Or Son of Man