Stephen's Speech

¹The high priest asked Stephen, “Are they telling the truth about you?”

²Stephen answered:[#Gn 12.1.]

⁴⁹“Heaven is my throne,[#Is 66.1,2.]

and the earth

is my footstool.

What kind of house

will you build for me?

In what place will I rest?

⁵⁰I have made everything.”

Stephen Is Stoned to Death

⁵⁴When the council members heard Stephen's speech, they were angry and furious.

⁵⁵But Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked toward heaven, where he saw our glorious God and Jesus standing at his right side.[#3 Macc 6.6.; #7.55 The “right side” is the place of honor and power. “Standing” may mean that Jesus is welcoming Stephen (see verse 59).]

⁵⁶Then Stephen said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!”

⁵⁷The council members shouted and covered their ears. At once they all attacked Stephen

⁵⁸and dragged him out of the city. Then they started throwing stones at him. The men who had brought charges against him put their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.[#7.58 Better known as Paul, who became a famous follower of Jesus.]

⁵⁹As Stephen was being stoned to death, he called out, “Lord Jesus, please welcome me!”

⁶⁰He knelt down and shouted, “Lord, don't blame them for what they have done.” Then he died.