Acts 7:54-60
54 Now when they heard this, they were infuriated, and they began gnashing their teeth at him.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;
56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
57 But they shouted with loud voices, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one mind.
58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”
60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.
The Death of Stephen (1)
The context
Stephen is a person who changes the course of the narrative of the Acts of the Apostles. The false witnesses accused Stephen of blaspheming the four foundations of Judaism. In response, Stephen delivered the longest message in the Acts of the Apostles. His defense enraged the members of the Sanhedrin, resulting in Stephen being stoned to death. After Stephen’s death, the focus of the narrative shifts from Peter to Paul.
The death of Stephen
“Now when they heard this, they were infuriated, and they began gnashing their teeth at him.” (1) “They” refers to the members of the Sanhedrin and the crowd present. Trials at the Sanhedrin were public. (2) Let’s examine the intensity of the members’ anger by comparing translations. (a) “Infuriated” (NASB2020). (b) “Cut to the heart” (ASV). (c) “Furious” (NIV). (d) “Enraged” (ESV). In Greek, it is a verb “diaprio.” In Acts 5:33, it is also translated as “infuriated” (in response to Peter’s message). “They were cut to the heart” (ASV) indicate that Stephen’s message “cut them to the core” or “pierced their hearts.” (3) “They began gnashing their teeth at him.” This imagery can be likened to a ravenous wolf facing its prey. Unlike the previous occasion, there was no calm mediator like Gamaliel this time. Stephen must have been prepared for his imminent death. “But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said…” (1) Stephen was under the control of the Holy Spirit. Instead of looking at the enraged crowd, he gazed into heaven. He was granted the vision of the Shekinah Glory and Jesus. (2) “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (a) His words not only conveyed what he saw but also echoed Jesus’ final words at the Sanhedrin trial. (b) Luke 22:69 records Jesus saying, “But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” (see also Matt. 26:64 and Mark 14:62). This statement led to Jesus being accused of blasphemy. (c) Stephen’s declaration of seeing the “Son of Man standing at the right hand of God” also sealed his accusation of blasphemy. In any situation, a person filled with the Holy Spirit looks to God. When facing trials, let us lift our eyes to heaven with the eyes of faith.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, in times of trial, I will lift my eyes to heaven with faith. Please help me to do Your will. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.