Acts 6:15
What does Acts 6:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 6:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 6:15 means
As Stephen stood before the council, facing these grave accusations, a remarkable event occurred: everyone present who fixed their gaze upon him saw his face transformed, shining like the face of an angel. This divine manifestation served as a visible testament to God's presence and approval upon Stephen, even in the midst of intense persecution. It was a supernatural sign of his innocence and God's favor, reminiscent of Moses' glowing face after encountering God, acting as both a condemnation to his accusers and an encouragement to Stephen himself.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And all those who were in the Sanhedrin, looking at him, saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and gazing at him, all those sitting in the sanhedrim saw his face as it were the face of a messenger.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And all who sat in the council, looking fixedly on him, saw his face as [the] face of an angel.
Context
This verse concludes the chapter with a powerful and miraculous display, occurring as Stephen stands accused before the council based on the charges in verses 13-14. It dramatically portrays God's divine endorsement of Stephen in the face of human malice. This miraculous sign sets a powerful tone for Stephen's defense in the following chapter, elevating the spiritual significance of the impending trial beyond mere legal proceedings.
v.14for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us.
v.15This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 3:7
But if the ministration of death, written, and engraven on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly upon the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which glory was passing away:
- Ecclesiastes 8:1
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
- Exodus 34:29
And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of the testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses knew not that the skin of his face shone by reason of his speaking with him.
- Matthew 17:2
and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.
- Matthew 13:43
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.
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