Acts 6:15

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked right at Stephen. They saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6:15 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 6:15

And all that sat in the council
The whole sanhedrim,

looking steadfastly on him;
to observe whether his countenance altered, his tongue stammered, or he trembled in any part of his body, neither of which appeared; but on the contrary, they

saw his face, as if it had been the face of an angel.
The Ethiopic version adds, "of God"; there was such a calmness and serenity in it, which showed his innocence and unconsciousness of guilt; and such a beauty and glory upon it, that he looked as lovely and amiable as the angels of God, who when they appeared to men, it was in very glorious and splendid forms: his face might shine as Moses's did, when he came down from the mount; or in some degree as Christ's did at his transfiguration; and this might, as it ought to have been, taken as an acquittance of him by God, from the charge of blasphemy, either against God or Moses: the Jews ^F17 say of Phinehas, that when the Holy Ghost was upon him, his face burned or shone like lamps, and Stephen was now full of the Holy Ghost, ( Acts 6:5 Acts 6:8 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 Ceseph. Misna in Maimon. Hilch. Teshuba, c. 9. & Vajikra Rabba, sect. 1. fol. 146. 1. & sect. 21. fol. 163. 1.

Acts 6:15 In-Context

13 They found people who were willing to tell lies. The false witnesses said, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place. He also speaks against the law.

14 We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place. He says Jesus will change the practices that Moses handed down to us."

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked right at Stephen. They saw that his face was like the face of an angel.