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Acts 7:56 "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/acts/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Look,&#8221 he said, &#8220I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/acts/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And he told them, &#8220;Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God&#8217;s right hand!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, &#8220;Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220;Look,&#8221; he said, &#8220;I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens having been opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right <i>hand</i> of God."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and said, &#8220;Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and he said, &#8220;Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and he said, &#8220Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and he said, &#8220;Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and he said, &#8220;Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and he said, &#8220;Look! I see the heavens opened up [in welcome] and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said, &#8220;Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! &#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then Stephen said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/7.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />So Stephen said, "Look, I see heaven opened and the Son of Man in the position of authority that God has given him!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Look!" he said. "I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Look,? he said, ?I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Look!" he said. "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he said, "Look, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"I can see Heaven wide open," he said, "and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and said, &#8220;Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!&#8221; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he said, &#8220;Behold, I see the heavens having been opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens having been opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right <i>hand</i> of God."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he said, 'Lo, I see the heavens having been opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one accord ran violently upon him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said, &#8220;Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and he said, &#8220;Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />&#8220;Look,&#8221; he said, &#8220;I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said, Behold I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And he said, &#8220;Behold, I see the Heavens opening and The Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />and he said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />and he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and he said, there I see the heavens open, and the son of man standing on the right hand of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"I can see Heaven wide open," he said, "and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />and he said, "Behold I see Heaven opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />and he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right <i>hand</i> of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/7-56.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=2294" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/7.htm">The Stoning of Stephen</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">55</span>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. <span class="reftext">56</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2400.htm" title="2400: Idou (V-AMA-2S) -- See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!">&#8220;Look,&#8221;</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">he said,</a> <a href="/greek/2334.htm" title="2334: the&#333;r&#333; (V-PIA-1S) -- From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge).">&#8220;I see</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranous (N-AMP) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven</a> <a href="/greek/1272.htm" title="1272: di&#275;noigmenous (V-RPM/P-AMP) -- To open fully. From dia and anoigo; to open thoroughly, literally or figuratively.">open</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- 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/5207.htm" title="5207: Huion (N-AMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">Son</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthr&#333;pou (N-GMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">of Man</a> <a href="/greek/2476.htm" title="2476: hest&#333;ta (V-RPA-AMS) -- A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.">standing</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">at</a> <a href="/greek/1188.htm" title="1188: dexi&#333;n (Adj-GNP) -- On the right hand, right hand, right. From dechomai; the right side or hand.">the right hand</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God.&#8221;</a> </span> <span class="reftext">57</span>At this they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13-14</a></span><br />In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-64.htm">Matthew 26:64</a></span><br />&#8220;You have said it yourself,&#8221; Jesus answered. &#8220;But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-62.htm">Mark 14:62</a></span><br />&#8220;I am,&#8221; said Jesus, &#8220;and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/1-7.htm">Revelation 1:7</a></span><br />Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him&#8212;even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/110-1.htm">Psalm 110:1</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: &#8220;Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm">Hebrews 1:3</a></span><br />The Son is the radiance of God&#8217;s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-1.htm">Colossians 3:1</a></span><br />Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/1-20.htm">Ephesians 1:20-21</a></span><br />which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, / far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-34.htm">Romans 8:34</a></span><br />Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God&#8212;and He is interceding for us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-22.htm">1 Peter 3:22</a></span><br />who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-27.htm">Matthew 16:27</a></span><br />For the Son of Man will come in His Father&#8217;s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-51.htm">John 1:51</a></span><br />Then He declared, &#8220;Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/5-6.htm">Revelation 5:6</a></span><br />Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-69.htm">Luke 22:69</a></span><br />But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-9.htm">Philippians 2:9-11</a></span><br />Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.</p><p class="hdg">I see.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/10-11.htm">Acts 10:11,16</a></b></br> And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: &#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/1-1.htm">Ezekiel 1:1</a></b></br> Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth <i>month</i>, in the fifth <i>day</i> of the month, as I <i>was</i> among the captives by the river of Chebar, <i>that</i> the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-16.htm">Matthew 3:16</a></b></br> And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:</p><p class="hdg">the Son.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13,14</a></b></br> I saw in the night visions, and, behold, <i>one</i> like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/16-27.htm">Matthew 16:27,28</a></b></br> For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31</a></b></br> When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/6-11.htm">God</a> <a href="/acts/7-55.htm">God's</a> <a href="/acts/7-55.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/acts/7-55.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/acts/2-34.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/acts/5-23.htm">Open</a> <a href="/acts/5-23.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/acts/7-55.htm">Right</a> <a href="/acts/7-55.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/john/1-51.htm">Wide</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/9-20.htm">God</a> <a href="/acts/8-4.htm">God's</a> <a href="/acts/9-8.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/acts/9-3.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/acts/10-11.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/acts/8-32.htm">Open</a> <a href="/acts/8-32.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/acts/8-21.htm">Right</a> <a href="/acts/9-7.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/acts/16-27.htm">Wide</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/7-1.htm">Stephen, permitted to answer to the accusation of blasphemy,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/7-2.htm">shows that Abraham worshipped God rightly, and how God chose the fathers,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/7-20.htm">before Moses was born, and before the tabernacle and temple were built;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/7-37.htm">that Moses himself witnessed of Christ;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">44. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/7-44.htm">and that all outward ceremonies were ordained to last but for a time;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">51. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">reprehending their rebellion, and murdering of Christ, whom the prophets foretold.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">54. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/7-54.htm">Whereupon they stone Stephen to death, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">59. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/7-59.htm">who commends his soul to Jesus, and humbly prays for them.</a></span><br></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'; 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he said,</b><br>This phrase captures Stephen's urgent call for attention. In the context of <a href="/acts/7.htm">Acts 7</a>, Stephen is addressing the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. His exclamation is a pivotal moment, as he is filled with the Holy Spirit and is about to witness a divine vision. The urgency in his voice underscores the significance of what he is about to reveal.<p><b>&#8220;I see heaven open&#8221;</b><br>The opening of heaven is a significant biblical motif, symbolizing divine revelation and approval. In the Old Testament, similar visions were granted to prophets like Ezekiel (<a href="/ezekiel/1.htm">Ezekiel 1:1</a>) and Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/6.htm">Isaiah 6:1</a>). This imagery indicates a direct communication from God, affirming Stephen's testimony and his role as a prophet. It also signifies the accessibility of God's presence through Jesus Christ, breaking the barrier between the divine and human realms.<p><b>&#8220;and the Son of Man&#8221;</b><br>The title "Son of Man" is deeply rooted in Jewish apocalyptic literature, particularly in <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13-14</a>, where it describes a messianic figure endowed with authority and glory. Jesus frequently used this title for Himself, emphasizing both His humanity and His divine authority. Stephen's vision confirms Jesus' identity and His exalted position, reinforcing the early Christian belief in Jesus as the Messiah.<p><b>&#8220;standing at the right hand of God.&#8221;</b><br>The right hand of God is a position of power and honor, as seen in <a href="/psalms/110.htm">Psalm 110:1</a>, a messianic psalm frequently quoted in the New Testament (e.g., <a href="/matthew/22-44.htm">Matthew 22:44</a>, <a href="/hebrews/1-13.htm">Hebrews 1:13</a>). Jesus standing, rather than sitting, may indicate His active role as an advocate or intercessor for Stephen, as well as His readiness to receive Stephen into glory. This vision serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' divine authority and His ongoing work in the lives of believers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/stephen.htm">Stephen</a></b><br>A deacon in the early church, known for his faith and filled with the Holy Spirit. He is the first Christian martyr.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/heaven.htm">Heaven</a></b><br>The spiritual realm where God resides, depicted as being opened in Stephen's vision.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/son_of_man.htm">Son of Man</a></b><br>A title Jesus used for Himself, emphasizing His role as the Messiah and His divine authority.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/r/right_hand_of_god.htm">Right Hand of God</a></b><br>A position of power and authority, indicating Jesus' exalted status.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/sanhedrin.htm">Sanhedrin</a></b><br>The Jewish council before whom Stephen was testifying, leading to his martyrdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_vision_of_faith.htm">The Vision of Faith</a></b><br>Stephen's vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God is a powerful testament to the reality of Christ's authority and presence. Believers are encouraged to maintain a heavenly perspective, especially in times of trial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/jesus'_advocacy.htm">Jesus' Advocacy</a></b><br>The image of Jesus standing, rather than sitting, suggests His active role as an advocate for His people. This should reassure believers of His ongoing intercession and support.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_witness.htm">Courage in Witness</a></b><br>Stephen's boldness in proclaiming his vision, even in the face of death, serves as an example for Christians to stand firm in their faith and witness, regardless of opposition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_persecution.htm">The Reality of Persecution</a></b><br>Stephen's martyrdom reminds believers that following Christ may lead to persecution. However, it also assures them of the eternal reward and presence of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">The Fulfillment of Prophecy</a></b><br>Stephen's vision connects to Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, affirming the continuity and reliability of God's Word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where_did_moses_see_the_promised_land.htm">What defines an open heaven?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_polygamy.htm">What are the Courts of Heaven?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_an_open_heaven.htm">What defines an open heaven?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_events_shaped_stephen's_life.htm">What key events shaped Stephen's life journey?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(56) <span class= "bld">Behold, I see the heavens opened.</span>--It is manifest that the vision was given to the inward spiritual eye, and not to that of sense. No priest or scribe saw the glory of the opened heavens, and, therefore, the words which declared that Stephen saw them seemed to them but an aggravation of guilt that was already deep. (<span class= "ital">See</span> Note on <a href="/matthew/3-16.htm" title="And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, see, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting on him:">Matthew 3:16</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">And the Son of</span> <span class= "bld">man.</span>--The words call for notice as the only certain instance outside the Gospels of the use of the name which they record to have been constantly used by our Lord in speaking of Himself. (See Note on <a href="/matthew/8-20.htm" title="And Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has not where to lay his head.">Matthew 8:20</a>.) As the speech of Stephen was delivered at least some years before any Gospel was written, and as the whole character of the speech reported, even in its apparent inconsequence and inaccuracy, is against the theory that it was put by the historian into the martyr's lips, its occurrence here is evidence in favour of the Gospel narrative, as showing that the title, which a few years afterwards, for some reason or other, the disciples ceased to use, was at that earlier date familiar. As uttered by Stephen before the Sanhedrin, it had the special emphasis of reminding them of the words which had been spoken by the Son of Man Himself (<a href="/matthew/26-64.htm" title="Jesus said to him, You have said: nevertheless I say to you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.">Matthew 26:64</a>). It was from their point of view a repetition of what they had then condemned as blasphemy. In <a href="/revelation/1-14.htm" title="His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;">Revelation 1:14</a> we have possibly another instance.<p><span class= "bld">Standing on the right hand of God.</span>--Our Lord's own language (<a href="/matthew/26-64.htm" title="Jesus said to him, You have said: nevertheless I say to you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.">Matthew 26:64</a>), and that of the Church following it (<span class= "ital">e.g., </span><a href="/ephesians/1-20.htm" title="Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,">Ephesians 1:20</a>; <a href="/hebrews/8-1.htm" title="Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;">Hebrews 8:1</a>), has commonly spoken of Him as <span class= "ital">sitting</span> at the right hand of God. It was not, we may believe, without significance that He was manifested to Stephen's gaze as standing in the attitude of one who rises to help and welcome a follower who had shown himself faithful even unto death. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 56.</span> <span class="cmt_word">- The Son of man.</span> Our Lord's usual designation of himself (see <a href="/matthew/8-10.htm">Matthew 8:10</a>; <a href="/matthew/26-64.htm">Matthew 26:64</a>; etc.; and also <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Daniel 7:13</a>), but nowhere but here spoken of Jesus by any other. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/7-56.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">&#8220;Look,&#8221;</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7992;&#948;&#959;&#8058;</span> <span class="translit">(Idou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2400.htm">Strong's 2400: </a> </span><span class="str2">See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he said,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#949;&#7990;&#960;&#949;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(eipen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">&#8220;I see</span><br /><span class="grk">&#952;&#949;&#969;&#961;&#8182;</span> <span class="translit">(the&#333;r&#333;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2334.htm">Strong's 2334: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heaven</span><br /><span class="grk">&#959;&#8016;&#961;&#945;&#957;&#959;&#8058;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(ouranous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">open</span><br /><span class="grk">&#948;&#953;&#951;&#957;&#959;&#953;&#947;&#956;&#941;&#957;&#959;&#965;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(di&#275;noigmenous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1272.htm">Strong's 1272: </a> </span><span class="str2">To open fully. From dia and anoigo; to open thoroughly, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#945;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#8056;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(ton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Son</span><br /><span class="grk">&#933;&#7985;&#8056;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(Huion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Man</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7936;&#957;&#952;&#961;&#974;&#960;&#959;&#965;</span> <span class="translit">(anthr&#333;pou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">standing</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7953;&#963;&#964;&#8182;&#964;&#945;</span> <span class="translit">(hest&#333;ta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2476.htm">Strong's 2476: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7952;&#954;</span> <span class="translit">(ek)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> </span><span class="str2">From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the right [hand]</span><br /><span class="grk">&#948;&#949;&#958;&#953;&#8182;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(dexi&#333;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1188.htm">Strong's 1188: </a> </span><span class="str2">On the right hand, right hand, right. From dechomai; the right side or hand.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God.&#8221;</span><br /><span class="grk">&#920;&#949;&#959;&#8166;</span> <span class="translit">(Theou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/7-56.htm">Acts 7:56 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/7-56.htm">Acts 7:56 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/7-56.htm">Acts 7:56 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/7-56.htm">Acts 7:56 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/7-56.htm">Acts 7:56 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/7-56.htm">Acts 7:56 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/7-56.htm">Acts 7:56 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/7-56.htm">Acts 7:56 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/7-56.htm">Acts 7:56 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/7-56.htm">Acts 7:56 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/7-56.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 7:56 And said Behold I see the heavens (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/7-55.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 7:55"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 7:55" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/7-57.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 7:57"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 7:57" /></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>

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