Acts 7:54-56

Acts 7:54 to Acts 8:1 a. Death of Stephen. The speech of Stephen cuts the hearers to the quick. It is not said that they interrupted him; the speech is complete, but their apparent and vehement anger showed him that the last had come; they were no longer masters of themselves. We have no longer a judicial investigation before us but a tumultuous attack. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, sees a vision (Acts 7:55), as is recorded of many martyrs. He sees the glory of God (cf. Acts 7:2) and Jesus standing (? to receive His servant; generally sitting, Mark 14:62; Matthew 26:64; Luke 22:69; Mark 16:19). At this their anger broke out, and they are hurried into a violent and illegal action. The punishment inflicted is that for blasphemy; in decreeing it they forget all forms of law, but in the execution of it they observe the precept of Leviticus 24:14, and hurry the condemned person outside the town. Saul is introduced (Acts 7:58) as sharing the responsibility of the act. In Acts 7:59, the story is narrated over again for the sake of the words of the martyr (cf. Luke 23:34; Luke 23:46), and another account of his death is given, ending with the statement of Saul's complicity.

Acts 7:54. gnashed: Psalms 35:16; Psalms 112:10.

Acts 7:56. Son of man: i.e. Jesus as judge (Mark 14:62).