Devine Scripture

Acts 7:56

What does Acts 7:56 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 7:56 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 7:56 means

Stephen testifies aloud: he sees the heavens opened and the Son of man standing at God’s right hand. The title Son of man links Jesus to divine authority and to His identity as the exalted human representative. Stephen’s words are both confession and comfort—they proclaim Jesus’ vindication and presence. For the council, this is the final offense, as Stephen aligns Jesus with God’s throne. But for faith, it’s the truth that sustains in suffering. The opened heavens signify access and assurance: God receives His servant. Stephen’s vision and confession seal his witness, making clear that his hope rests in the risen, reigning Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, Now I see heaven open, and the Son of man at the right hand of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he said, `Lo, I see the heavens having been opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they, crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears and with one accord ran violently upon him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and said, Lo, I behold the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand ofGod.

Context

Following his vision (verse 55), Stephen now declares it publicly, using the title Son of man and the imagery of Jesus at God’s right hand. This direct testimony provokes the council to a breaking point. Verse 57 will show their loud outcry, stopping their ears, and rushing on him in fury. The narrative now moves rapidly toward execution (verses 58–60), with the mention of a young man named Saul introduced at the stoning.

v.55But 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,

v.56This passage

v.57But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 10:16

    And this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.

  • Revelation 19:11

    And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

  • Matthew 3:16

    And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;

  • Luke 3:21

    Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that, Jesus also having been baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

  • Acts 10:11

    and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth:

  • Matthew 25:31

    But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory:

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