Acts 22:20 kjv
And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
Acts 22:20 nkjv
And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.'
Acts 22:20 niv
And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.'
Acts 22:20 esv
And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.'
Acts 22:20 nlt
And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.'
Acts 22 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 22:20 | when your witness Stephen...said, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. | Acts 7:55-56 |
| John 1:51 | "I tell you the truth, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." | Jesus' promise of divine access |
| Psalm 110:1 | "The Lord says to my lord: 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" | Messianic prophecy |
| Mark 14:62 | "You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the mighty one and coming on the clouds of heaven." | Jesus' self-declaration |
| Matthew 26:64 | Jesus replied, "You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." | Jesus' self-declaration |
| Luke 22:69 | "But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the throne of God." | Jesus' self-declaration |
| Revelation 1:7 | "Look, he is coming with the clouds," and "every eye will see him, even those who pierced him"; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. | Christ's glorious return |
| Daniel 7:13 | "In my vision at night I saw one like a son of man coming with the clouds of the sky. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence." | Prophecy of the Son of Man |
| Acts 6:8 | Now Stephen, full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. | Stephen's ministry beginnings |
| Acts 6:10 | But they could not stand against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. | Stephen's wisdom |
| Acts 6:12-14 | They stirred up the people to turn against Stephen...[accusing him of blasphemy]. | Accusations against Stephen |
| Acts 7:2-53 | Stephen's defense, recounting Israel's history and God's dealings with them. | Stephen's speech |
| Acts 7:54 | When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. | Sanhedrin's reaction |
| Romans 8:34 | Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is interceding for us. | Christ's intercession |
| Hebrews 1:3 | The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. | Christ's exaltation |
| Hebrews 9:24 | For Christ did not enter a holy place made with human hands that just copies of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. | Christ's heavenly ministry |
| Philippians 2:9 | Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name... | Christ's exaltation |
| 1 Peter 3:22 | "... who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." | Christ's exaltation |
| Revelation 5:12-13 | "They sang in a loud voice: 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!'" | Heavenly worship of Christ |
| Revelation 19:11-16 | Jesus depicted riding a white horse, arrayed in a robe dipped in blood, and having a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. | Christ's triumphant return |
| Isaiah 6:1 | "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple." | Isaiah's vision of God |
| Ezekiel 1:26-28 | Ezekiel's vision of a throne and a figure like a human upon it. | Prophet's vision of God |
Acts 22 verses
Acts 22 20 Meaning
This verse records Stephen's testimony before the Sanhedrin, specifically addressing his martyrdom. He recounts his experience of seeing the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and his declaration of this vision. The phrase "I see the heavens opened" signifies a direct divine revelation. "And the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" emphasizes Jesus' exalted position of authority and honor after His ascension. Stephen's subsequent statement was his ultimate proclamation of his faith in Jesus' divine identity and exaltation, which led to his accusation of blasphemy and his stoning.
Acts 22 20 Context
The immediate context of Acts 22:20 is Stephen's defense before the Sanhedrin. Following a lengthy historical review of Israel's relationship with God, from Abraham to the present, Stephen boldly confronts his accusers for their resistance to the Holy Spirit, paralleling their actions with those of their ancestors. He explicitly identifies the Messiah, Jesus, as the Righteous One they betrayed and murdered. This direct accusation, particularly the climactic vision he shares, so enrages the council that they react with extreme violence, leading to Stephen's stoning. The chapter emphasizes the divine affirmation of Stephen's testimony, despite human persecution. Historically, this event marks a pivotal moment, representing the first major Christian martyrdom and signaling a widening of the gospel's reach beyond Jewish adherence, initiating the persecution that would scatter believers and spread the church.
Acts 22 20 Word Analysis
- when: Connects this statement to the ongoing action of Stephen's trial.
- your witness: Refers to Stephen, highlighting him as a testimony for God to them (the Sanhedrin).
- Stephen: The first martyr of the Christian church, known for his faith, wisdom, and powerful testimony.
- said: Indicates direct speech.
- I: Stephen's personal affirmation.
- see: Implies direct perception, a vision.
- the heavens opened: Signifies divine access, a break in the ordinary physical reality to reveal the spiritual realm. This echoes Old Testament prophetic visions (e.g., Isaiah 6:1, Ezekiel 1:1).
- and: Connects two elements of the vision.
- the Son of Man: A title Jesus frequently used for Himself, referencing Daniel 7:13-14, and denoting His humanity and divine authority.
- standing: Implies active participation, not passive rest. In many ancient Near Eastern contexts, standing before a ruler signified importance and readiness to act or speak. This is in contrast to the typical depiction of seated authority.
- at the right hand of God: Symbolizes supreme honor, authority, power, and closeness to God. It’s the place of highest favor and endorsement.
Words-group analysis
- "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.": This phrase represents Stephen’s ultimate spiritual insight. He sees the celestial reality of Christ's present exaltation and vindication, contrasting with the Sanhedrin’s condemnation of Jesus. The "Son of Man" title points to Jesus as the divinely appointed sovereign, fulfilling prophecies and holding supreme authority.
Acts 22 20 Bonus Section
Stephen's testimony in Acts 22:20 mirrors and expands upon Jesus' own words and actions concerning His heavenly status. His experience is a testament to the reality of the spiritual realm and the power of a Spirit-filled witness, even in the face of deadly opposition. His vision aligns with the New Testament emphasis on Christ's enthronement and ongoing work of intercession (Romans 8:34) and serves as a prophetic glimpse of His future glorious return. Stephen’s martyrdom is seen not as a defeat, but as a witness to the reality of heaven and the supreme authority of Christ, empowering subsequent generations of believers to stand firm in their faith.
Acts 22 20 Commentary
Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, recounts his divine vision to the Sanhedrin. He states he saw the heavens opened and Jesus Christ, identified as the Son of Man, standing at the right hand of God. This was not just a static image, but a dynamic affirmation of Jesus' exalted status, vindication, and readiness to act. Stephen's proclamation was a direct accusation that they had rejected and killed God's appointed Messiah, thus placing themselves against divine authority. Their furious reaction and violent actions of stoning him demonstrated their rejection of this divine truth, but Stephen’s vision confirmed his faithfulness and the ultimate victory of Christ, whose glorified state he was privileged to witness. This highlights the power of truth and the profound consequences of both receiving and rejecting it.