Devine Scripture

Acts 7:59

What does Acts 7:59 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 7:59 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 7:59 means

As they stoned him, Stephen called on the Lord and said, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. In death, Stephen entrusts himself to Jesus, acknowledging Him as Lord with authority over life and death. This prayer mirrors the trust Jesus displayed in His own death, showing that Stephen’s hope is fully in the risen Christ. To call on Jesus in this way affirms His divinity and present reign, the very truth that enraged his accusers. Stephen’s words are not despair but confidence: the Righteous One he preached now receives him. His final acts confirm the substance of his sermon—Jesus is alive, sovereign, and worthy of ultimate trust.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Stephen, while he was being stoned, made prayer to God, saying, Lord Jesus, take my spirit.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they were stoning Stephen, calling and saying, `Lord Jesus, receive my spirit;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not his sin to their charge: And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they stoned Stephen, praying, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Context

The execution is underway (verse 58), and Stephen prays. Verse 59 records his personal entrustment to Jesus. The final verse (60) will add his intercession for his persecutors and his peaceful falling asleep. These closing prayers parallel themes from Jesus’ own death and demonstrate the transforming power of the gospel in the life of its first martyr. The narrative thus ends with a witness to Jesus’ lordship and grace.

v.58and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

v.59This passage

v.60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 1:2

    unto the church of God which is at Corinth, eventhem that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, calledto besaints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, theirLordand ours:

  • Acts 2:21

    And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

  • Acts 9:14

    and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name.

  • Acts 22:16

    And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.

  • Luke 23:46

    And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost.

  • Romans 10:12

    For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him:

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