Patterns in the Stoning of Stephen

Acts 6:8-7:60

Luke’s account of the death of Stephen is unmistakably patterned after the suffering and glory of Jesus. Stephen, like Jesus, was full of grace and power, working signs and wonders among the people (Acts 6:8). He charged the religious leaders of Jerusalem with killing God’s prophets (Acts 7:52), just as Jesus had done (Luke 11:47). As a result, the Jews were incensed against Stephen and led him to the Council (Acts 6:12), just as they had Jesus, (Luke 22:66), stirring up the elders and scribes against him (Acts 6:12) as they had with Jesus (Luke 20:1). After false witnesses spoke against him (Acts 6:13, cf. Matt 26:59-60), Stephen was taken outside the gate to be stoned to death as one under the reproach of uncleanness (Acts 7:58, cf. Heb 13:12-13).

​Facing death in a manner that recalled his beloved Lord Jesus, Stephen prayed that the Lord would receive his spirit (Acts 7:59) even as Jesus had committed his spirit to the Father (Luke 23:46). As he died, Stephen cried out with a loud voice (Acts 7:57, cf. Luke 23:46), asking God not to charge his murderers with this sin (Acts 7:60), even as Jesus had asked his Father to forgive those who murdered him (Luke 23:34).

​The author of Hebrews exhorts Christians to suffer, if need be, and to be willing, like Stephen, to be taken “outside the gate’ (Heb 13:11-13). He challenges us to suffer the “reproach” of Jesus, that is to share in his sufferings, knowing that God will reward our suffering with the glory of the heavenly city which is to come (Heb 13:14). ​

If we, like Stephen, will suffer for the testimony of Jesus, we will also see the glory of the Son of Man standing at the right hand of Power, welcoming us into paradise! The vision of Christ triumphant over death is what makes it possible to live through suffering. It is our knowing that Jesus has vindicated justice that makes us able to forgive those who sin against us, even when our own life is at stake, as it was with Stephen. We can suffer the deadly blows of the stones of our enemies, knowing that even in our suffering we shall see the heavens opened, and our precious Lord rising from the throne of glory to receive us!