Acts 7:60
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Original Language Analysis
θεὶς
he kneeled down
G5087
θεὶς
he kneeled down
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
1 of 18
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔκραξεν
and cried
G2896
ἔκραξεν
and cried
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
φωνῇ
voice
G5456
φωνῇ
voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
6 of 18
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
μεγάλῃ
with a loud
G3173
μεγάλῃ
with a loud
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
7 of 18
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
8 of 18
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
9 of 18
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
στήσῃς
lay
G2476
στήσῃς
lay
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
10 of 18
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῖς
to their
G846
αὐτοῖς
to their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ταύτην
G3778
ταύτην
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
14 of 18
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
καὶ
charge And
G2532
καὶ
charge And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Matthew 5:44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;Luke 23:34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.1 Corinthians 15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.Acts 20:36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.Acts 9:40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.Luke 6:28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.Acts 21:5And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.Acts 13:36For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:1 Corinthians 15:18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.Luke 22:41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Historical Context
Stephen was stoned circa AD 34-35, becoming Christianity's first martyr (Greek: martys, witness). Among the witnesses holding the executioners' garments was Saul of Tarsus (Acts 7:58). The stoning occurred outside Jerusalem's walls, as Jewish law required. Stephen's martyrdom catalyzed severe persecution that scattered believers, paradoxically spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1-4).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Stephen's example challenge your response to those who oppose or harm you for your faith?
- In what ways might your forgiveness of others serve as a witness that plants seeds for their eventual conversion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Stephen's dying prayer mirrors Christ's crucifixion prayer (Luke 23:34), demonstrating how deeply Jesus' teaching on loving enemies had transformed him. The Greek 'koimaō' (fell asleep) is Luke's euphemism for death, emphasizing Christian hope in resurrection. The phrase 'lay not this sin to their charge' uses accounting language - Stephen asks God not to 'reckon' or 'impute' this sin to his murderers. This radical forgiveness fulfills Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:44) and likely impacted Saul of Tarsus, who witnessed this martyrdom and later became Paul the apostle.