Acts 7:55
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Original Language Analysis
ὑπάρχων
he being
G5225
ὑπάρχων
he being
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
1 of 19
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
πνεύματος
Ghost
G4151
πνεύματος
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
4 of 19
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ἁγίου
of the Holy
G40
ἁγίου
of the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
5 of 19
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανὸν
heaven
G3772
οὐρανὸν
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
9 of 19
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
εἶδεν
and saw
G1492
εἶδεν
and saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
10 of 19
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
δόξαν
the glory
G1391
δόξαν
the glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
11 of 19
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
14 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἑστῶτα
standing
G2476
ἑστῶτα
standing
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
15 of 19
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
ἐκ
on
G1537
ἐκ
on
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
16 of 19
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
δεξιῶν
the right hand
G1188
δεξιῶν
the right hand
Strong's:
G1188
Word #:
17 of 19
the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)
Cross References
Mark 16:19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.Hebrews 1:3Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;Acts 6:10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.Acts 6:5And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.Hebrews 8:1Now 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;Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.Acts 6:8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.John 12:41These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
Historical Context
Moments before his stoning (AD 33-34), Stephen received this vision encouraging him unto death. His claim to see 'the Son of man' (v. 56) echoed Jesus' words at his trial (Matthew 26:64), enraging the Sanhedrin who viewed it as blasphemy.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Christ's standing position suggest about His response to martyred saints?
- How does Spirit-fullness enable believers to endure extreme persecution?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Stephen's vision of Jesus 'standing on the right hand of God' uniquely shows Christ standing rather than seated (as elsewhere in Scripture), suggesting active reception of his martyred witness. Being 'full of the Holy Ghost' enabled this spiritual sight, showing Spirit-empowered perception beyond physical reality. This vision vindicated Stephen's testimony about Jesus' exaltation.