Acts 7:56

Translations

Modern

“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Traditional

And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Literal

…and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens having been opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Latin

Included in Acts 7:55

Original

Greek

English

“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Notes

Acts 7:55–56

standing at the right hand of God: Usually, the Bible describes Jesus as seated in heaven at God’s right side (2:33–34; 5:31; Luke 20:42; 22:69; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 13; 10:12). One possible explanation has been proposed by some church fathers that Jesus was welcoming Stephen to heaven with honor as the first New Testament martyr. Stephen was loyal in confessing his Lord on earth. Now his Lord honored his promise to confess his loyal servant in heaven. Jesus was standing as a witness to defend him (Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8).
Son of Man standing: Compare Daniel 7:13–14. The Jewish leaders understood that Stephen was speaking of Jesus as the divine Son of Man (Acts 7:57). This title speaks of Jesus’s power and authority (compare Revelation 1:12–15).

Theme notes and profiles

Jewish Leaders Simon Peter Stephen The Jewish High Council The Son of Man Encounters with Jesus Fearing People Persecution The Ascension of Jesus The Exodus as History The Holy Spirit’s Presence The Righteous Suffer The Son of Man

Events

Stephen is stonedc. AD 31

Related verses

Matthew 26:64–65
“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Acts 10:11
He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
Revelation 11:19
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
Matthew 3:16
As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.
Revelation 19:11
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.
Revelation 4:1
After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.”
Daniel 7:13–14
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
Acts 10:16
This happened three times, and all at once the sheet was taken back up into heaven.
Matthew 8:20
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
John 1:51
Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Matthew 16:27–28
For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
Mark 1:10
As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.

Glossary

Apocalypse of James Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Courts and Trials Exaltation of Christ Hellenism Jerusalem Council Jesus Christ, Teachings of Paul the Apostle Persecution Peter, the Apostle Son of Man Stephen Stoning

Topics

Anger: Jews, Against Stephen Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Government: Constitutes Heaven: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Homicide: Felonious: Sanhedrin Jesus, the Christ: Exaltation of Jesus, the Christ: Humanity of Revenge by the Chief Priests Select Readings: Stephen's Defense Stephen: Stoned The Excellency and Glory of Christ in his Exaltation Vision of Stephen of Christ

Acts 7:56

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