Acts 7:55 kjv
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Acts 7:55 nkjv
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
Acts 7:55 niv
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Acts 7:55 esv
But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
Acts 7:55 nlt
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand.
Acts 7 55 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 7:54 | When they heard this, they were enraged and gnashed their teeth at him. | Immediate context |
| Luke 21:15 | For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to stand against or contradict. | Promise of Holy Spirit's speech |
| John 14:26 | But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. | Source of Stephen's vision |
| John 16:13 | When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. | Role of the Spirit |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. | Christ's glory |
| John 1:18 | No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's right hand, he has made him known. | Jesus' unique position |
| Romans 8:34 | who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. | Jesus' intercessory role |
| Hebrews 1:3 | He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his powerful word. | Christ's divine nature |
| Hebrews 12:2 | looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of God. | Jesus' seated position |
| Rev 1:9 | I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. | Suffering for Christ |
| Rev 4:2 | At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. | Heavenly visions |
| Rev 7:9-10 | After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" | Heavenly worship |
| Deut 18:18 | I will raise up for them a prophet from among their own people, like you, and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. | Prophecy of a coming prophet |
| Isa 6:1 | In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. | Isaiah's heavenly vision |
| Ps 110:1 | The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool." | Messianic prophecy |
| Acts 2:33 | Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are now seeing and hearing. | Jesus' exaltation |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. | Jesus' exalted position |
| Rev 19:11-16 | Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True... | Vision of Christ in glory |
| 1 Cor 15:24-25 | Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. | Christ's reign |
| Matt 3:16 | And Jesus, when he was baptized, immediately went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him. | Heaven opened to Jesus |
Acts 7 verses
Acts 7 55 Meaning
Stephen, being filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed intently into heaven. He saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, a divine revelation granting him spiritual vision during his stoning.
Acts 7 55 Context
The verse occurs during the trial and stoning of Stephen, one of the first deacons of the early church. He has just delivered a powerful sermon, recounting the history of Israel and accusing the Jewish leaders of rejecting and killing the prophets, and finally killing the "Righteous One" (Jesus). This accusation incites them to extreme anger. Amidst this persecution, Stephen's spiritual vision opens, allowing him to see a glimpse of the heavenly realm. This vision serves as both vindication for Stephen and a powerful testament to Jesus' exalted position at the Father's right hand, continuing His intercessory work.
Acts 7 55 Word analysis
- And he: "Kai autos" (Greek). Refers to Stephen, continuing the narrative action.
- being full: "pleres" (Greek). Implies being completely filled, permeated by the Holy Spirit.
- of the Holy Spirit: "tou pneumatos tou hagiou" (Greek). The third person of the Trinity, the source of spiritual power and revelation.
- he looked: "eblen" (Greek). A focused, intense gaze, not a casual glance.
- stedfastly: "atenizō" (Greek). To look with intense concentration or devotion, to fix one's eyes upon.
- into heaven: "eis ton ouranon" (Greek). The celestial realm, the dwelling place of God.
- and saw: "kai eiden" (Greek). A direct perception, a divine unveiling of spiritual reality.
- the glory of God: "ten doxan tou theou" (Greek). The manifest presence, radiance, and majesty of God.
- and Jesus: "kai Iesoun" (Greek). The specific person of Jesus Christ, central to Stephen's vision.
- standing: "hestota" (Greek). Indicates a posture of readiness, perhaps in an active role, as opposed to sitting.
- on the right hand of God: "ek dexia tou theou" (Greek). A position of highest honor, authority, and power. This echoes Old Testament imagery of God's right hand as a source of strength and vindication.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "being full of the Holy Spirit, he looked stedfastly into heaven": This phrase highlights the active empowerment of the Holy Spirit as the direct cause of Stephen's extraordinary vision. It is not his own will or ability, but the Spirit's filling that enables this divine sight.
- "and saw the glory of God": The "glory of God" is often associated with God's visible presence and majestic manifestation, as seen in the Old Testament (e.g., Isaiah 6:1). Here, it encompasses the full divine splendor.
- "and Jesus standing on the right hand of God": This is a pivotal depiction. Jesus is not merely seated (as commonly depicted from Ps 110:1 and Heb 12:2) but is seen "standing." This posture might suggest Jesus' active intercession, welcoming Stephen into His presence, or a depiction of His kingly authority in readiness to act. It underscores His humanity and divinity, sharing in the divine throne-room.
Acts 7 55 Bonus section
The description of Jesus "standing" at the right hand of God is unique in the New Testament, differing from the more common portrayal of Him being "seated" (Ps 110:1; Acts 2:33; Heb 1:3; Heb 12:2). Some scholars suggest this "standing" posture in Acts 7:55 could represent Jesus in a judicial or welcoming capacity for Stephen, the first martyr, an active readiness to receive him, or an affirmation of Stephen's witness. It emphasizes Christ's present activity and personal involvement in the affairs of His church and His faithful servants on earth. This moment mirrors Stephen's prayer "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" showing immediate access to Christ in glory.
Acts 7 55 Commentary
Stephen, facing death, experiences a miraculous vision granted by the Holy Spirit. This isn't merely seeing; it's a divinely enabled perception of heaven's reality. He witnesses the splendor of God and Jesus Christ in a place of supreme honor and authority at God's right hand. This vision confirms Stephen's message, vindicates Jesus, and provides him with supernatural strength and peace in his final moments, knowing he is about to be received by Christ. The detail of Jesus "standing" can be interpreted as an act of welcoming and endorsement.