Acts 7:55 - Exposition

Looked up steadfastly ( ἀτενίσας ); see Acts 6:15 ; Acts 3:4 , and note. The glory of God; i.e. the visible glory which surrounds and proclaims God's near presence (see Exodus 24:10 , Exodus 24:16 , Exodus 24:17 ; Isaiah 6:1-3 ; Ezekiel 1:28 ; Revelation 21:14 , Revelation 21:23 , etc.). Jesus standing. Sitting at the right hand of God is the usual attitude ascribed to our Lord in token of his victorious rest, and waiting for the day of judgment. Here he is seen standing, as rising to welcome his faithful martyr, and to place on his head the crown of life Revelation 2:10 ). Whether Stephen saw these glorious things in the flesh or out of the flesh he probably knew not himself.