What is the meaning of Acts 6:15? All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin - The entire ruling council—high priest, elders, teachers of the Law—was present (Acts 4:5-6; Luke 22:66). - No dissenters or absentees are noted; everyone there will be accountable for how they respond. - Their unified presence fulfills Jesus’ warning that His followers would be hauled before councils (Luke 21:12-13). looked intently at Stephen - The verb pictures a fixed, searching gaze. They are scrutinizing him for any sign of fear or guilt, much like the synagogue in Nazareth “fixed their eyes on Him” (Luke 4:20). - God turns their hostile stare into a silent testimony; instead of Stephen being intimidated, they become the witnesses. - Similar focused gazing occurs at moments of revelation—“They were looking intently into the sky as He was going” (Acts 1:10)—hinting that something heavenly is about to be revealed. and they saw - Luke stresses eyewitness verification. This is not rumor or imagination; every member of the council personally observes what follows. - The Law required credible witness for any charge (Deuteronomy 19:15). Ironically, the same standard now validates God’s vindication of Stephen. - Just as Pilate “saw” and declared Jesus innocent (Luke 23:4), the council’s own eyesight confronts them with evidence of divine favor. that his face was like the face of an angel - A visible, supernatural radiance—recalling Moses’ shining face after speaking with the LORD (Exodus 34:29-30) and Jesus’ transfiguration glory (Matthew 17:2). - It signals the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 7:55). God is empowering Stephen for the lengthy, Scripture-saturated defense that follows. - The description communicates: • Innocence—angelic purity contradicts the false accusations (Acts 6:13-14). • Peace—Stephen is calm under threat, echoing Psalm 34:5, “Those who look to Him are radiant.” • Authority—angels are messengers; Stephen is about to deliver God’s message. - Paul later contrasts the fading glory on Moses’ face with the surpassing glory in believers (2 Corinthians 3:7-8); Stephen embodies that greater, New-Covenant radiance. summary Every member of the Sanhedrin stares at Stephen, expecting weakness, but instead witnesses heaven’s glow upon him. Their unanimous, intent gaze authenticates a literal, public miracle: God marks His servant with angelic radiance, proclaiming Stephen’s innocence, filling him with bold peace, and setting the stage for the Spirit-inspired sermon that will follow. |
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