Acts 7:59 Meaning and Explanation
“And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →As they stoned him, Stephen called upon God, saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
What Does Acts 7:59 Mean?
Under the stones, Stephen prays, and his prayer echoes the dying words of his Lord, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46), now spoken to Jesus himself, whom he sees in glory.
To call upon the name of the Lord is the mark of the believing heart (Acts 2:21), and Stephen does it with his last strength. Death is reframed in a single sentence: not a fall into nothing, but a handing over of the spirit to Someone trusted. Those who belong to Jesus die into his hands.
Acts 7:59 in the Original Language
epikaleo (ἐπικαλέω), 'calling upon' -- to call on by name, to invoke in prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 7:59
What does Acts 7:59 mean?
As they stoned him, Stephen called upon God, saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.