Stephen’s Martyrdom: Standing for God — Acts 7:46-60 Daily Word

Stephen shifts the focus of his sermon from the tabernacle in the wilderness to the Temple of Solomon.

The Jerusalem Temple symbolizes the presence of God dwelling among the people of Israel. David’s great desire had been to build a temple, but God refused him — for that was not David’s calling. Instead, his son Solomon built the temple. Stephen explains why David had sought to build it: [46] who found favor in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. (Acts 7:46, ESV), David asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

David longed to build a place where the Lord would dwell among his people — driven by his desire that the Lord be worshiped by the people forever, and that His boundless grace would rest upon them.

Yet Stephen uses the phrase “made with human hands” to describe the Temple. This expression was used in the Old Testament to describe man-made idols. (Isa 12:12) In this sense, Stephen warns that even the Jerusalem Temple could become a place of idolatry — because the people were content merely with the fact that they had worshiped there. Above all, God is not confined to any temple. Stephen quotes (Isaiah 66:1): “Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?'”

Up to this point, Stephen had used the phrase “our fathers” (7:1, 11), identifying himself as a fellow member of the same people as the Sanhedrin.

Now, however, he shifts to [51] “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. (Acts 7:51, ESV), using the expression “your fathers,” distancing himself from those Jews who reject the gospel. Stephen says to such people: [51] “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. (Acts 7:51, ESV), “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” This language was used in the Old Testament to describe the unrepentant people of God. ¹Exod 33:3-4; 34:9; Deut 9:6; 10:16; Jer 3:3; 6:10

Just as the Israelites of old had resisted the Holy Spirit, the Sanhedrin was now repeating the very same pattern. Stephen therefore spoke directly to the council, calling them wicked men who had continually rejected and killed the prophets. [52] Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, (Acts 7:52, ESV)

Pierced to the heart by Stephen’s sermon, they gnash their teeth at him.

In the midst of this moment, Stephen saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. The fact that Jesus is described as standing portrays the Lord welcoming Stephen while simultaneously interceding for him before God. Stephen is beholding the same vision that appeared at Jesus’ baptism — [56] And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56, ESV), a vision of the heavens opened.

When Stephen declared aloud what he was seeing, everyone in the crowd cried out together and covered their ears. They then dragged him out of the city — the very same action taken by those who sought to kill Jesus, when they drove the Lord outside the city as well. (Luke 4:29)

The reason they did this was to prepare for stoning him to death, based on the command in (Lev 24:14). [13] Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [14] “Bring out of the camp the one who cursed, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. (Lev 24:13-14, ESV)

Those who joined in the killing of Stephen laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. This action closely mirrors the earlier scene in the early church, where believers sold their houses and possessions and laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet. To lay something at someone’s feet signifies handing over full responsibility and authority to that person — making clear that Saul was the central figure behind the stoning of Stephen.

Stephen died just as Jesus did.

Like Jesus, Stephen cried out, “Receive my spirit,” and like Jesus, he also asked that his killers be forgiven.

Stephen was a man who kept his eyes on Jesus. That is why he called out to Jesus. Even as he suffered under the blows of stones, he turned his heart inward in prayer, and rather than harboring hatred toward those who were taking his life, he interceded on their behalf. In the death of Jesus we discover love and forgiveness. Therefore, just as with the death of Stephen, may we too be voices that cry out — never losing love and forgiveness — until the very end.