Acts 7:55
What does Acts 7:55 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 7:55 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 7:55 means
Full of the Holy Spirit, Stephen looked steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. In the midst of human fury, God grants Stephen a vision of divine approval. Jesus’ standing, rather than the more common imagery of sitting, suggests active advocacy for His witness. The sight confirms that the Righteous One is exalted, vindicating Stephen’s testimony. It also shows that death is not defeat for Christ’s servants; heaven’s court overrules earth’s verdict. Stephen’s steadfast gaze reflects Spirit-given peace and focus, anchoring him in God’s reality as men prepare to take his life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But he was full of the Holy Spirit, and looking up to heaven, he saw the glory of God and Jesus at the right hand of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and being full of the Holy Spirit, having looked stedfastly to the heaven, he saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said: Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But being full of [the] Holy Spirit, having fixed his eyes on heaven, he saw [the] glory ofGod, and Jesus standing at the right hand ofGod,
Context
In response to the council’s rage (verse 54), God opens heaven to Stephen. Verse 55 describes what he sees; verse 56 records his declaration. This vision is the climax of the chapter’s Christological argument: the Righteous One lives and reigns. The revelation intensifies the crowd’s hostility, leading to their outcry and rush upon Stephen (verse 57), his expulsion from the city, and stoning (verse 58).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
- Ezekiel 11:23
And the glory of Jehovah went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.
- Acts 1:10
And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel;
- Revelation 4:1
After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voiceas of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter.
- Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
- 2 Corinthians 12:2
I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.
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