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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 fourthmonth, in the fifthday of the month, as Iwas 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:

“I see heaven open”
The opening of heaven is a significant biblical motif, symbolizing divine revelation and approval. In the Old Testament, similar visions were granted to prophets like Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:1) and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1). This imagery indicates a direct communication from God, affirming Stephen's testimony and his role as a prophet. It also signifies the accessibility of God's presence through Jesus Christ, breaking the barrier between the divine and human realms.

“and the Son of Man”
The title "Son of Man" is deeply rooted in Jewish apocalyptic literature, particularly inDaniel 7:13-14, where it describes a messianic figure endowed with authority and glory. Jesus frequently used this title for Himself, emphasizing both His humanity and His divine authority. Stephen's vision confirms Jesus' identity and His exalted position, reinforcing the early Christian belief in Jesus as the Messiah.

“standing at the right hand of God.”
The right hand of God is a position of power and honor, as seen inPsalm 110:1, a messianic psalm frequently quoted in the New Testament (e.g.,Matthew 22:44,Hebrews 1:13). Jesus standing, rather than sitting, may indicate His active role as an advocate or intercessor for Stephen, as well as His readiness to receive Stephen into glory. This vision serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' divine authority and His ongoing work in the lives of believers.

- Stephen’s urgent exclamation invites his hostile audience to pause and consider divine reality breaking into their moment.

- Similar calls to attention appear throughout Scripture when heaven’s perspective is unveiled (e.g.,Isaiah 6:1;Revelation 4:1).

- The word communicates immediacy—God is not distant; He is actively revealing truth right now.

- Stephen, “full of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 7:55), speaks with Spirit-given boldness, just as Jesus promised inLuke 12:11-12.

- His words echo the prophetic pattern: ordinary believers become mouthpieces for God when the Spirit empowers (Jeremiah 1:7;Acts 2:17-18).

- By vocalizing the vision, Stephen testifies to the reliability of supernatural revelation, reinforcing that Scripture records real, historical events.

- Heaven opening signifies God granting direct revelation, as at Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3:21-22) and at Jacob’s ladder (Genesis 28:12-17).

- The barrier between the earthly and the heavenly is lifted, assuring believers that eternal realities govern present circumstances (Colossians 3:1-4).

- This scene confirms Jesus’ promise inJohn 1:51 that His followers would witness heaven opened through Him, validating every word of Scripture.

- “Son of Man” is Jesus’ favorite self-designation, rooted inDaniel 7:13-14, portraying Him as the divine, eternal King.

- Standing, not sitting, highlights His active advocacy for Stephen (Romans 8:34;Hebrews 7:25).

- The right hand of God signifies supreme authority and honor (Psalm 110:1;Ephesians 1:20-22).

- Stephen’s vision publicly verifies Christ’s resurrection, ascension, and present reign—truths the persecutors deny but Scripture proclaims as literal fact (Acts 2:32-36).

Stephen’s Spirit-empowered cry pulls back the curtain between earth and heaven. He sees the crucified and risen Jesus, personally engaged, ruling beside the Father, and ready to receive His faithful witness. The verse assures believers that Scripture’s heavenly truths are literal, present, and victorious over every earthly opposition.

And the Son ofman.--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 onMatthew 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. InRevelation 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 assitting 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. . . .