Acts 7:56
New International Version
“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

New Living Translation
And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

English Standard Version
And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Berean Literal Bible
and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens having been opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

King James Bible
And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

New King James Version
and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

New American Standard Bible
and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

NASB 1995
and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

NASB 1977
and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Legacy Standard Bible
and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Amplified Bible
and he said, “Look! I see the heavens opened up [in welcome] and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

Christian Standard Bible
He said, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

American Standard Version
and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.

Contemporary English Version
Then Stephen said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!"

English Revised Version
and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Stephen said, "Look, I see heaven opened and the Son of Man in the position of authority that God has given him!"

Good News Translation
"Look!" he said. "I see heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at the right side of God!"

International Standard Version
He said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"

Majority Standard Bible
?Look,? he said, ?I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.?

NET Bible
"Look!" he said. "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"

New Heart English Bible
And he said, "Look, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

Webster's Bible Translation
And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Weymouth New Testament
"I can see Heaven wide open," he said, "and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand."

World English Bible
and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens having been opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.”

Berean Literal Bible
and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens having been opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

Young's Literal Translation
and he said, 'Lo, I see the heavens having been opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one accord ran violently upon him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.”

New American Bible
and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

New Revised Standard Version
“Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said, Behold I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he said, “Behold, I see the Heavens opening and The Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and he said: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.

Godbey New Testament
and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Haweis New Testament
and he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.

Mace New Testament
and he said, there I see the heavens open, and the son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Weymouth New Testament
"I can see Heaven wide open," he said, "and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand."

Worrell New Testament
and he said, "Behold I see Heaven opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!"

Worsley New Testament
and he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Stoning of Stephen
55But 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. 56“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57At this they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him.…

Cross References
Daniel 7:13-14
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.

Matthew 26:64
“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “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.”

Mark 14:62
“I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Revelation 1:7
Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.

Psalm 110:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’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.

Colossians 3:1
Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Ephesians 1:20-21
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.

Romans 8:34
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—and He is interceding for us.

1 Peter 3:22
who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.

Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.

John 1:51
Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Revelation 5:6
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.

Luke 22:69
But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

Philippians 2:9-11
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.


Treasury of Scripture

And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

I see.

Acts 10:11,16
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: …

Ezekiel 1:1
Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

Matthew 3:16
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:

the Son.

Daniel 7:13,14
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one 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…

Matthew 16:27,28
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…

Matthew 25:31
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:

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Acts 7
1. Stephen, permitted to answer to the accusation of blasphemy,
2. shows that Abraham worshipped God rightly, and how God chose the fathers,
20. before Moses was born, and before the tabernacle and temple were built;
37. that Moses himself witnessed of Christ;
44. and that all outward ceremonies were ordained to last but for a time;
51. reprehending their rebellion, and murdering of Christ, whom the prophets foretold.
54. Whereupon they stone Stephen to death,
59. who commends his soul to Jesus, and humbly prays for them.














Look, he said
The word "Look" is a call to attention, an imperative that demands immediate focus. In the Greek, the word is "ἰδού" (idou), which is often used in Scripture to draw attention to something significant or divine. Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, is urging his audience to witness a revelation of profound importance. This moment is not just a personal vision but a divine unveiling meant to affirm the truth of his testimony.

I see heaven open
The phrase "I see heaven open" signifies a divine revelation. The Greek word for "open" is "ἀνεῳγμένην" (aneōgmenēn), suggesting an ongoing state of openness. This imagery of an open heaven is reminiscent of other biblical accounts where God reveals His glory and purposes, such as Jacob's ladder (Genesis 28:12) and Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:16). It symbolizes access to divine mysteries and the presence of God, affirming that Stephen is in communion with the divine realm even as he faces earthly persecution.

and the Son of Man
The title "Son of Man" is deeply rooted in Jewish eschatology and is used by Jesus to refer to Himself, drawing from Daniel 7:13-14. In Greek, it is "ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου" (ho huios tou anthrōpou). This title emphasizes both the humanity and the exalted role of Jesus as the Messiah. Stephen's vision of Jesus as the "Son of Man" is a powerful declaration of Jesus' divine authority and fulfillment of messianic prophecy, reinforcing His identity as the Savior and Judge.

standing at the right hand of God
The image of Jesus "standing at the right hand of God" is rich with theological significance. In Greek, "standing" is "ἑστῶτα" (hestōta), which contrasts with the more common depiction of Jesus sitting at God's right hand, as seen in Hebrews 1:3. The act of standing may indicate Jesus' active role as an advocate or His readiness to receive Stephen into glory. The "right hand of God" is a position of power and honor, affirming Jesus' divine authority and His role as the mediator between God and humanity. This vision provides Stephen with assurance and strength, knowing that his faithfulness is recognized and honored by Christ Himself.

(56) Behold, I see the heavens opened.--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. (See Note on Matthew 3:16.)

And the Son of man.--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 Matthew 8:20.) 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 (Matthew 26:64). It was from their point of view a repetition of what they had then condemned as blasphemy. In Revelation 1:14 we have possibly another instance.

Standing on the right hand of God.--Our Lord's own language (Matthew 26:64), and that of the Church following it (e.g., Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 8:1), has commonly spoken of Him as sitting 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. . . .

Verse 56. - The Son of man. Our Lord's usual designation of himself (see Matthew 8:10; Matthew 26:64; etc.; and also Daniel 7:13), but nowhere but here spoken of Jesus by any other.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Look,”
Ἰδοὺ (Idou)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

he said,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“I see
θεωρῶ (theōrō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2334: From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge).

heaven
οὐρανοὺς (ouranous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

open
διηνοιγμένους (diēnoigmenous)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1272: To open fully. From dia and anoigo; to open thoroughly, literally or figuratively.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Son
Υἱὸν (Huion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of Man
ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

standing
ἑστῶτα (hestōta)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2476: A prolonged form of a primary stao stah'-o; to stand, used in various applications.

at
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the right [hand]
δεξιῶν (dexiōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1188: On the right hand, right hand, right. From dechomai; the right side or hand.

of God.”
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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Acts 7:55
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