Devine Scripture

Acts 7:60

What does Acts 7:60 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 7:60 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 7:60 means

Kneeling, Stephen cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge, and then fell asleep. His final act is intercession, echoing the mercy of his Master. Even in death, he reflects Jesus’ heart, praying for forgiveness for his killers. To fall asleep is a gentle expression of dying, filled with hope of resurrection. Stephen’s martyrdom becomes both a seal on his testimony and a model of Christlike endurance. His prayers reveal that the gospel he proclaimed had shaped him deeply—trusting Jesus with his spirit and loving enemies to the end. Heaven witnesses, and the church remembers its first martyr with honor.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And going down on his knees, he said in a loud voice, Lord, do not make them responsible for this sin. And when he had said this, he went to his rest.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having bowed the knees, he cried with a loud voice, `Lord, mayest thou not lay to them this sin;' and this having said, he fell asleep.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Not available in this translation

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And kneeling down, he cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And having said this, he fell asleep.

Context

The chapter concludes with Stephen’s Christlike prayers and death. Having been rejected by the Sanhedrin, he is received by the Lord he saw standing at God’s right hand. The mention of Saul at the stoning (verse 58) foreshadows the next developments in Acts. Stephen’s speech and death form a hinge in the narrative—confirming Jesus’ exaltation, exposing Israel’s resistance, and catalyzing a wider spread of the gospel as persecution intensifies in the chapters ahead.

v.59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

v.60This passage

Cross references

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

  • Acts 13:36

    For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

  • Ezra 9:5

    And at the evening oblation I arose up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe rent; and I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto Jehovah my God;

  • 1 Corinthians 15:51

    Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,

  • 1 Corinthians 11:30

    For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.

  • Luke 6:28

    bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you.

  • Matthew 5:44

    but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;

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