Abraham and Joseph
Acts 7:1–16FocusPromise beyond settled possession
Connection to the wholeStephen begins with God's dealings before Israel possessed the land, establishing a history of promise, movement, and deliverance.
interpretation Acts 7:60
KJVAnd 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.
Read it in context
Stephen's witness unto death
Start reading at Acts 7:54 (Acts 7:54 to Acts 7:60).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The council's violent response and Stephen's final testimony bring the speech to its climax and introduce Saul into the narrative.
- 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
- 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,
- 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
- 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
- 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
- 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
- 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the traditional author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3; Colossians 4:14. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Acts 7:1–7:60): Stephen addresses the high priest and council, recounting Israel's history; his hearers turn against him, and Saul is present at his killing. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus, the same named recipient as Luke's Gospel, with the account also serving the wider Christian readership. Biblical references: Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Stephen's witness unto death. Read Acts 7:54 through Acts 7:60 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The council's violent response and Stephen's final testimony bring the speech to its climax and introduce Saul into the narrative. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? Acts begins after Jesus' resurrection and follows the witness through Pentecost, expansion among peoples, and Paul's arrival in Rome. It does not give a final publication date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The movement extends from Jerusalem through Judea and Samaria toward wider regions and Rome, as announced in Acts 1:8. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Stephen's witness unto death (Acts 7:54 to Acts 7:60). Start reading at Acts 7:54. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The risen Jesus commissions the witnesses, and their preaching centers on Him. The accounts include repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and reception of the Holy Ghost; keep the details and order stated for each event. See Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Compare conversion accounts carefully, preserving what each one actually narrates. Do not invent an omitted detail or flatten every episode into an identical sequence. interpretation
Cited: Acts 7:54, Acts 7:60, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:44, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 19:6
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens by referring to the author's former treatise to Theophilus, tying it to Luke, and shifts into first-person plural in the travel accounts.
Acts 1:1Acts 16:10
Early traditionEarly testimony names Luke.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- he kneeled Acts 9:40 Acts 20:36 Acts 21:5 Ezra 9:5 Dan 6:10 Luke 22:41
- Lord Matt 5:44 Luke 6:28 Luke 23:34 Rom 12:14-21
- he fell Acts 13:36 1 Cor 11:30 1 Cor 15:6,18,20,51 1 Thess 4:13-14 1 Thess 5:10
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Acts
About 30 years
- AD 30 or 33Approximate beginning · Acts 1
The risen Jesus instructs His apostles
Acts begins after Jesus’ resurrection and describes His ascension. - About AD 62Approximate ending · Acts 28
Paul teaches while confined in Rome
The account closes with Paul receiving visitors and teaching during two full years in his rented lodging.
The narrative moves from Jerusalem to Rome over roughly three decades. Chapters do not represent equal amounts of time.
View historical notes and sources
Using a beginning in AD 30 or 33 and an ending around AD 62 gives approximately 29–32 years. These are reconstructed dates for the events, not a date for the writing of Acts. The book does not explicitly total its elapsed years.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Acts 7
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth. Stephen's speech answers the accusations and council setting introduced in Acts 6.
Moses and Israel's resistance
Acts 7:17–43FocusThe rejected deliverer
Connection to the wholeThe account of Moses emphasizes God's appointment alongside repeated resistance, developing the pattern behind Stephen's answer to his accusers.
interpretation The dwelling place and the charge
Acts 7:44–53FocusResistance to the Holy Ghost
Connection to the wholeStephen moves from the tabernacle and temple to a direct accusation that his hearers continue the rejection of God's messengers.
interpretation FocusVision, rejection, and forgiveness
Connection to the wholeThe council's violent response and Stephen's final testimony bring the speech to its climax and introduce Saul into the narrative.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Acts
Acts addresses Theophilus as a continuation of the earlier account and follows the witnesses empowered by the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:8 supplies an important geographical frame: Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.
The promised power and the Jerusalem church
Acts 1:1–2:47FocusWitness begins
Connection to the wholeJesus' promise, the coming of the Holy Ghost, Peter's preaching, and the hearers' response establish the beginning of the church's witness.
interpretation FocusBoldness, order, and rejection
Connection to the wholePublic testimony and growth are accompanied by internal needs and increasing opposition, culminating in Stephen's death.
interpretation The witness moves outward
Acts 8:1–12:25FocusSamaria, Saul, and Gentile hearers
Connection to the wholePersecution scatters believers; new fields open, Saul is called, and the reception of Gentiles becomes a matter publicly explained to the church.
interpretation Mission and the Gentile question
Acts 13:1–15:35FocusChurches established and the council
Connection to the wholeThe first missionary journey and the Jerusalem deliberation address the place of Gentile believers without making circumcision the entrance requirement.
interpretation Further journeys and growing churches
Acts 15:36–21:16FocusStrengthening and expanding witness
Connection to the wholePaul and his companions travel through new regions and revisit churches, moving toward the journey to Jerusalem despite coming danger.
interpretation Arrest, hearings, and Rome
Acts 21:17–28:31FocusTestimony through imprisonment
Connection to the wholePaul's custody becomes a setting for witness before authorities and brings him to Rome, where the account closes with continued proclamation.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.