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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/6-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/44_Act_06_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 6:15 - The Arrest of Stephen" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel." /><script 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/6-14.htm" title="Acts 6:14">◄</a> Acts 6:15 <a href="/acts/7-1.htm" title="Acts 7:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/6.htm">New International Version</a> All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. <a href="/nlt/acts/6.htm">New Living Translation</a> At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s. <a href="/esv/acts/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. <a href="/bsb/acts/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. <a href="/blb/acts/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having looked intently on him, all sitting in the Council saw his face as the face of an angel. <a href="/kjv/acts/6.htm">King James Bible</a> And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. <a href="/nkjv/acts/6.htm">New King James Version</a> And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel. <a href="/nasb_/acts/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And all who were sitting in the Council stared at him, and they saw his face, which was like the face of an angel. <a href="/nasb/acts/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel. <a href="/nasb77/acts/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw his face like the face of an angel. <a href="/lsb/acts/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face like the face of an angel. <a href="/amp/acts/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then all those who were sitting in the Council, stared [intently] at him, and they saw that Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel. <a href="/csb/acts/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel. <a href="/hcsb/acts/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel.&#8221 <a href="/asv/acts/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. <a href="/cev/acts/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then all the council members stared at Stephen. They saw that his face looked like the face of an angel. <a href="/erv/acts/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. <a href="/gwt/acts/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Everyone who sat in the council stared at him and saw that his face looked like an angel's face. <a href="/gnt/acts/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> All those sitting in the Council fixed their eyes on Stephen and saw that his face looked like the face of an angel. <a href="/isv/acts/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then everyone who was seated in the Council glared at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel. <a href="/msb/acts/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. <a href="/net/acts/6.htm">NET Bible</a> All who were sitting in the council looked intently at Stephen and saw his face was like the face of an angel. <a href="/nheb/acts/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel. <a href="/wbt/acts/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. <a href="/wey/acts/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> At once the eyes of all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin were fastened on him, and they saw his face looking just like the face of an angel. <a href="/web/acts/6.htm">World English Bible</a> All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and gazing at him, all those sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face as it were the face of a messenger. <a href="/blb/acts/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having looked intently on him, all sitting in the Council saw his face as the face of an angel. <a href="/ylt/acts/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and gazing at him, all those sitting in the sanhedrim saw his face as it were the face of a messenger. <a href="/slt/acts/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And all they sitting in the council, having looked intently upon him, saw his face as the face of a messenger.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel. <a href="/cpdv/acts/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And all those who were sitting in the council, gazing at him, saw his face, as if it had become the face of an Angel. <a href="/nabre/acts/6.htm">New American Bible</a> All those who sat in the Sanhedrin looked intently at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then all who were seated at the council looked at him and saw that his face was like the face of an angel. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And all of them who were sitting in the assembly stared at him, and they saw his face as the face of an Angel. <div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And all that sat in the Sanhedrin, looking earnestly upon him, saw his face that it was like the face of an angel. <a href="/godbey/acts/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And all sitting in the council, having fixed their eyes on him, saw his face as the face of an angel. <a href="/haweis/acts/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And fixing their eyes upon him, all who sat in the sanhedrim, beheld his face as the face of an angel.<CM> <a href="/mace/acts/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw an air of majesty in his aspect. <a href="/wey/acts/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> At once the eyes of all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin were fastened on him, and they saw his face looking just like the face of an angel. <a href="/worrell/acts/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And all those who were sitting in the Sanhedrin, gazing intently at him, saw his face as it were an angel's face. <a href="/worsley/acts/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> (And all that were sitting in the council, looking stedfastly at him, saw his face like the face of an angel.) <a href="/parallel/acts/6-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=1757" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/6.htm">The Arrest of Stephen</a> …14For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.” 15<a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantes (Adj-NMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">All</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who</a> <a href="/greek/2516.htm" title="2516: kathezomenoi (V-PPM/P-NMP) -- To be sitting, sit down, be seated. From kata and the base of hedraios; to sit down.">were sitting</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4892.htm" title="4892: synedriō (N-DNS) -- A council, tribunal; the Sanhedrin, the meeting place of the Sanhedrin. ">Sanhedrin</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/816.htm" title="816: atenisantes (V-APA-NMP) -- To direct my gaze, look steadily. From a compound of a and teino; to gaze intently.">looked intently</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">at</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Stephen,</a> <a href="/greek/3708.htm" title="3708: eidon (V-AIA-3P) -- Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.">and they saw that</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4383.htm" title="4383: prosōpon (N-ANS) -- From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person.">face</a> <a href="/greek/5616.htm" title="5616: hōsei (Adv) -- As if, as it were, like; with numbers: about. From hos and ei; as if.">was like</a> <a href="/greek/4383.htm" title="4383: prosōpon (N-ANS) -- From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person.">the face</a> <a href="/greek/32.htm" title="32: angelou (N-GMS) -- From aggello; a messenger; especially an angel; by implication, a pastor.">of an angel.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/34-29.htm">Exodus 34:29-35</a> And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD. / Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him. / But Moses called out to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke to them. ... <a href="/matthew/17-2.htm">Matthew 17:2</a> There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">2 Corinthians 3:7</a> Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, <a href="/daniel/12-3.htm">Daniel 12:3</a> Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. <a href="/luke/9-29.htm">Luke 9:29</a> And as He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became radiantly white. <a href="/revelation/1-16.htm">Revelation 1:16</a> He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:1</a> Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-18.htm">2 Corinthians 3:18</a> And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. <a href="/matthew/28-3.htm">Matthew 28:3</a> His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. <a href="/judges/13-6.htm">Judges 13:6</a> So the woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me. His appearance was like the angel of God, exceedingly awesome. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name. <a href="/1_samuel/1-18.htm">1 Samuel 1:18</a> “May your maidservant find favor with you,” said Hannah. Then she went on her way, and she began to eat, and her face was no longer downcast. <a href="/psalms/34-5.htm">Psalm 34:5</a> Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed. <a href="/isaiah/60-5.htm">Isaiah 60:5</a> Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy, because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you. <a href="/acts/7-55.htm">Acts 7:55-56</a> But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. / “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” <a href="/2_kings/4-31.htm">2 Kings 4:31</a> Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.saw.<a href="/exodus/34-29.htm">Exodus 34:29-35</a> And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him… <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:1</a> Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.<a href="/matthew/13-43.htm">Matthew 13:43</a> Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/5-19.htm">Angel</a> <a href="/acts/6-12.htm">Council</a> <a href="/acts/4-19.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/acts/3-13.htm">Face</a> <a href="/john/19-19.htm">Fastened</a> <a href="/acts/3-4.htm">Fastening</a> <a href="/john/1-42.htm">Fixedly</a> <a href="/acts/3-4.htm">Fixing</a> <a href="/acts/3-12.htm">Gaze</a> <a href="/acts/1-11.htm">Gazing</a> <a href="/acts/1-10.htm">Intently</a> <a href="/acts/5-19.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/acts/5-8.htm">Once</a> <a href="/acts/6-12.htm">Sanhedrim</a> <a href="/acts/6-12.htm">Sanhedrin</a> <a href="/acts/3-10.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/acts/2-2.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/acts/6-4.htm">Steadfastly</a> <a href="/acts/6-4.htm">Stedfastly</a> <a href="/acts/6-12.htm">Stephen</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/7-30.htm">Angel</a> <a href="/acts/17-33.htm">Council</a> <a href="/acts/7-32.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/acts/7-45.htm">Face</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Fastened</a> <a href="/acts/10-4.htm">Fastening</a> <a href="/luke/22-56.htm">Fixedly</a> <a href="/acts/10-4.htm">Fixing</a> <a href="/acts/7-32.htm">Gaze</a> <a href="/romans/8-19.htm">Gazing</a> <a href="/acts/7-55.htm">Intently</a> <a href="/acts/7-35.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/acts/9-18.htm">Once</a> <a href="/acts/23-1.htm">Sanhedrim</a> <a href="/acts/22-30.htm">Sanhedrin</a> <a href="/acts/8-28.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/acts/8-28.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/acts/7-55.htm">Steadfastly</a> <a href="/acts/7-55.htm">Stedfastly</a> <a href="/acts/7-2.htm">Stephen</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 6</div>1. <a href="/acts/6-1.htm">The apostles, desirous to have the poor cared for, </a> 2. <a href="/acts/6-2.htm">as also careful themselves to dispense the word of God, the food of the soul,</a> 3. <a href="/acts/6-3.htm">recommend,</a> 5. <a href="/acts/6-5.htm">and with the church's consent ordain seven chosen men to the office of deaconship.</a> 7. <a href="/acts/6-7.htm">The word of God prevails,</a> 8. <a href="/acts/6-8.htm">Stephen, full of faith and the Holy Spirit, confuting those with whom he disputed, </a> 12. <a href="/acts/6-12.htm">is brought before the council, </a> 13. <a href="/acts/6-13.htm">and falsely accused of blasphemy against the law and the temple.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin The Sanhedrin was the supreme religious council in Jerusalem, composed of chief priests, elders, and scribes. It held significant authority over Jewish religious and civil matters. This setting underscores the gravity of the situation, as Stephen is brought before the highest Jewish authority, similar to Jesus' trial (<a href="/matthew/26-59.htm">Matthew 26:59-66</a>). The Sanhedrin's role in maintaining religious orthodoxy and their opposition to the early Christian movement is crucial to understanding the tension in this scene.looked intently at Stephen The phrase suggests a focused and scrutinizing gaze, indicating the seriousness with which the Sanhedrin regarded Stephen's testimony. This intense observation reflects their suspicion and the high stakes of the accusations against him. It also mirrors the scrutiny Jesus faced during His trial, highlighting the continuity of opposition faced by His followers.and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel This description suggests a divine or supernatural radiance, reminiscent of Moses' face shining after speaking with God (<a href="/exodus/34-29.htm">Exodus 34:29-35</a>). It implies that Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, as mentioned earlier in <a href="/acts/6-5.htm">Acts 6:5</a>, and that his countenance reflected God's presence and approval. This angelic appearance serves as a divine testimony to Stephen's righteousness and the truth of his message, contrasting with the hostility of the Sanhedrin. It also prefigures Stephen's role as a martyr, echoing the glory and innocence of Christ in His suffering.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/stephen.htm">Stephen</a> One of the seven deacons chosen to serve the early church, known for his faith and the power of the Holy Spirit working through him. He is the central figure in this passage, standing before the Sanhedrin. 2. <a href="/topical/s/sanhedrin.htm">Sanhedrin</a> The Jewish ruling council, composed of religious leaders such as the Pharisees and Sadducees. They were responsible for religious and some civil matters in Jerusalem. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_event.htm">The Event</a> Stephen is brought before the Sanhedrin on charges of blasphemy. As he stands before them, his face appears like that of an angel, indicating divine presence and approval.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_presence_in_persecution.htm">Divine Presence in Persecution</a> Stephen's angelic appearance signifies God's presence with him even in the face of persecution. Believers can take comfort that God is with them during trials. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_glory.htm">Reflecting God's Glory</a> Just as Stephen's face shone with divine radiance, Christians are called to reflect God's glory in their lives, showing His presence to the world. <a href="/topical/c/courage_in_witnessing.htm">Courage in Witnessing</a> Stephen's boldness before the Sanhedrin serves as an example of courage in sharing the Gospel, regardless of opposition or consequences. <a href="/topical/h/heavenly_perspective.htm">Heavenly Perspective</a> The description of Stephen's face encourages believers to maintain a heavenly perspective, focusing on God's eternal purposes rather than earthly challenges.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 6</a> <a href="/q/what's_shinar's_role_in_the_bible.htm">Did Stephen have the face of an angel?</a> <a href="/q/what_events_shaped_stephen's_life.htm">What key events shaped Stephen's life journey?</a> <a href="/q/did_stephen_have_the_face_of_an_angel.htm">Did Stephen have the face of an angel?</a> <a href="/q/why_was_stephen_stoned_in_the_bible.htm">Why was Stephen stoned according to the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) Looking stedfastly on him.--St Luke's characteristic word. (See Note on <a href="/acts/1-10.htm" title="And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;">Acts 1:10</a>.)Saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.--We can scarcely be wrong in tracing this description to the impression made at the time on St. Paul, and reported by him to St. Luke. It must be interpreted by the account given of angels as appearing in the form of "young men" (<a href="/mark/16-5.htm" title="And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.">Mark 16:5</a>), and so throws some light upon St. Stephen's age, as being, probably, about the same standing as St. Paul, and implies that his face was lighted up as by the radiance of a divine brightness. The phrase seems to have been more or less proverbial. In the expanded version of the Book of Esther, which appears in the LXX., she says to the King, as in reverential awe, "I saw thee, O my lord, as an angel of God" (<a href="/esther/5-2.htm" title="And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.">Esther 5:2</a>). In <a href="/2_samuel/14-17.htm" title="Then your handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD your God will be with you.">2Samuel 14:17</a>, the words refer to the wisdom of David rather than to anything visible and outward. Here the impression left by St. Luke's narrative is that the face of St. Stephen was illumined at once with the glow of an ardent zeal and the serenity of a higher wisdom.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - Fastening their eyes for looking steadfastly, A.V. (see above, <a href="/acts/3-4.htm">Acts 3:4</a>). The council would naturally all look at him, in expectation of his answer to the evidence just delivered against him. In his face, illuminated with a Divine radiance, they had an answer which they would have done well to listen to (for the brightness of an angel's face, comp. <a href="/matthew/28-3.htm">Matthew 28:3</a>; <a href="/daniel/10-6.htm">Daniel 10:6</a>; <a href="/revelation/10-1.htm">Revelation 10:1</a>, etc.). <a href="/commentaries/acts/6-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>All πάντες (pantes) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. who οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. were sitting καθεζόμενοι (kathezomenoi) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2516.htm">Strong's 2516: </a> To be sitting, sit down, be seated. From kata and the base of hedraios; to sit down. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Sanhedrin συνεδρίῳ (synedriō) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4892.htm">Strong's 4892: </a> A council, tribunal; the Sanhedrin, the meeting place of the Sanhedrin. looked intently ἀτενίσαντες (atenisantes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_816.htm">Strong's 816: </a> To direct my gaze, look steadily. From a compound of a and teino; to gaze intently. at εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. [Stephen], αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. [and] they saw that εἶδον (eidon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3708.htm">Strong's 3708: </a> Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. face πρόσωπον (prosōpon) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4383.htm">Strong's 4383: </a> From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person. [was] like ὡσεὶ (hōsei) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5616.htm">Strong's 5616: </a> As if, as it were, like; with numbers: about. From hos and ei; as if. [the] face πρόσωπον (prosōpon) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4383.htm">Strong's 4383: </a> From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person. of an angel. ἀγγέλου (angelou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_32.htm">Strong's 32: </a> From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/6-15.htm">Acts 6:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/6-15.htm">Acts 6:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/6-15.htm">Acts 6:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/6-15.htm">Acts 6:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/6-15.htm">Acts 6:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/6-15.htm">Acts 6:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/6-15.htm">Acts 6:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/6-15.htm">Acts 6:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/6-15.htm">Acts 6:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/6-15.htm">Acts 6:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/6-15.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 6:15 All who sat in the council fastening (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/6-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 6:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 6:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/7-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 7:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 7:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>