Acts 6:15

And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

And {G2532} all {G537} that sat {G2516} in {G1722} the council {G4892}, looking stedfastly {G816} on {G1519} him {G846}, saw {G1492} his {G846} face {G4383} as it had been {G5616} the face {G4383} of an angel {G32}.

Everyone sitting in the Sanhedrin stared at Stephen and saw that his face looked like the face of an angel.

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Context

This verse describes a pivotal moment during the trial of Stephen, one of the seven men chosen in Acts 6:5 to serve the early Christian community. Stephen, described as "full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," was performing great wonders and signs. However, he faced fierce opposition from members of various synagogues who could not withstand his wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke. Consequently, they suborned false witnesses to accuse him of blasphemy against Moses, God, the temple, and the law.

Acts 6:15 captures the scene as Stephen stands before the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial council, a setting reminiscent of Jesus' own trial before this same body. It sets the stage for Stephen's powerful sermon and subsequent martyrdom.

Key Themes

  • Divine Endorsement and Presence: Stephen's face appearing "as it had been the face of an angel" is a clear sign of God's presence, favor, and approval upon him. It signifies that Stephen was speaking and acting under divine inspiration, even amidst grave accusations.
  • Innocence and Purity: The angelic appearance contrasts sharply with the false accusations leveled against him. It visually communicates Stephen's innocence and the purity of his motives, reflecting the truth of God's Spirit within him.
  • A Glimpse of Glory: This radiant countenance foreshadows the greater glory Stephen would soon witness and participate in, as described in Acts 7:55, where he sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at His right hand. It's a testament to the spiritual reality accompanying a faithful servant of God.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the word "stedfastly," which means to look intently, fixedly, or with unwavering focus. This emphasizes the profound and captivating nature of what the council members witnessed.

The phrase "as it had been the face of an angel" is a powerful simile. In biblical contexts, angels are often associated with divine glory, purity, and being messengers of God. This description implies Stephen's face was supernaturally illuminated, perhaps glowing with a divine radiance. It brings to mind the description of Moses' face shining after he had been with God on Mount Sinai, a visible sign of God's glory reflected in a human being.

Practical Application

Stephen's experience offers profound encouragement for believers today:

  • God's Presence in Adversity: This verse reminds us that even when facing false accusations, persecution, or intense scrutiny, God's presence can be tangibly felt and even visibly manifested through His servants.
  • Inner Peace Amidst Turmoil: Stephen's calm, radiant appearance suggests an inner peace and confidence that stemmed from his unwavering faith and connection with God, despite the hostile environment of his trial.
  • Boldness in Witness: Stephen's example inspires us to stand firm in our faith and witness for Christ, trusting that God will uphold us and even use us to display His glory when we face opposition for His name's sake. Our character and God's presence can speak volumes, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 13:43

    Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:1

    ¶ Who [is] as the wise [man]? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

  • Matthew 17:2

    And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:18

    But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.

  • Exodus 34:29

    And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

  • Exodus 34:35

    And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:7

    But if the ministration of death, written [and] engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which [glory] was to be done away:

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