Person
Stephen
Mentioned in 7 verses, first in Acts 6:5. The verses below are the ones linked to this person (the Theographic dataset, with our sourced corrections).
In the Bible
All 7 verses, in Bible order. Text from the Berean Standard Bible; verse numbers follow the KJV.
Acts
- Acts 6:5
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, as well as Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
- Acts 6:8
Now Stephen, who was full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
- Acts 6:9
But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They began to argue with Stephen,
- Acts 7:59
While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
- Acts 8:2
God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.
- Acts 11:19
Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews.
- Acts 22:20
And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’
Events
Events the dataset lists Stephen as taking part in. Dates follow its Ussher–Jones reckoning (one of several traditional counts), not established history.
- c. AD 30Seven chosen to serve
- c. AD 30Stephen is seized
- c. AD 30Stephen addresses the council
- c. AD 31Stephen is stoned
- c. AD 31Saul persecutes the church
Dictionary
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), as attached to this record by Theographic. The entry is for the name and can describe more than one person who bore it. Easton wrote in 1897, and some of his views are now debated.
Read Easton’s entry
One of the seven deacons, who became a preacher of the gospel. He was the first Christian martyr. His personal character and history are recorded in [Acts 6](/acts#Acts.6). “He fell asleep” with a prayer for his persecutors on his lips (7:60). Devout men carried him to his grave (8:2).
It was at the feet of the young Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus, that those who stoned him laid their clothes (comp. Deut. 17:5-7) before they began their cruel work. The scene which Saul then witnessed and the words he heard appear to have made a deep and lasting impression on his mind (Acts 22:19, 20).
The speech of Stephen before the Jewish ruler is the first apology for the universalism of the gospel as a message to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. It is the longest speech contained in the Acts, a place of prominence being given to it as a defence.