Bible Strands
Acts 7:56
“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Stephen addresses the Sanhedrin immediately after the Holy Spirit fills him and he perceives the glory of God and Jesus. He speaks these words at the moment his vision concludes and his accusers prepare to seize him.
The words — ἰδοὺ (idou) translates literally as “Behold” or “Look,” marking the onset of the vision. διηνοιγμένους (diēnoigmenous) means “opened up,” describing the visible state of the heavens in his sight.
The thread — The motif of opened heavens appears in Acts 10:11, where a large sheet descends, and Revelation 11:19, where the temple of God in heaven is opened. Jesus’ position at the right hand echoes Matthew 26:64, where the Son of Man is seen coming on the clouds.
Why it lands — The text presents a direct visual confirmation of Jesus’ exaltation and divine approval before his execution. It requires the reader to acknowledge that earthly opposition does not override heavenly reality or Christ’s authoritative position.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
Cross-references
- Matthew 26:64 “You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
- Acts 10:11 He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.
- Revelation 11:19 Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
- Matthew 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.
- Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.
- Daniel 7:13 In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.
- Acts 10:16 This happened three times, and all at once the sheet was taken back up into heaven.
- Revelation 4:1 After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.”
- Matthew 8:20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
- Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.