And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

ACTS 7:59KJV
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Acts 7:59 (KJV)

What does Acts 7:59 mean?

Acts 7:59 describes the moment when Stephen, as he is being stoned to death, calls out to God and asks the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit. This shows Stephen’s faith and trust in Jesus even as he is dying.

Stephen is the first Christian martyr, and this scene takes place as an angry crowd is executing him for his testimony about Jesus. In his final moments, Stephen speaks directly to Jesus, expressing a belief that Jesus has authority over life after death. This verse highlights both Stephen’s courage and his conviction that Jesus is present and able to receive his spirit.

The Greek behind Acts 7:59

  • κύριε (kurie, “Lord”): This word is used here by Stephen to address Jesus directly, showing respect and recognizing Jesus’ authority.
  • δέξαι (dexai, “receive”): This verb means to welcome or accept, and Stephen uses it to ask Jesus to take in his spirit, reflecting a personal trust in Jesus’ care after death.
  • πνεῦμά (pneuma, “spirit”): This word often refers to the immaterial part of a person, and Stephen’s use of it here points to his belief in life beyond physical death.

Why Acts 7:59 matters

  • Acts 7:59 shows that early Christians prayed directly to Jesus, which is significant for understanding how they viewed his role and divinity.
  • The verse connects Stephen’s death to the way Jesus himself died, echoing Jesus’ words on the cross and highlighting a pattern of faithfulness in the face of persecution.
  • This moment sets the tone for how later Christians would understand martyrdom—not just as a tragedy, but as an act of witness and trust in Jesus’ promise of eternal life.

Where else these words appear

“Stephen” Greek G4736 · used in 7 verses

  • Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
  • Acts 6:9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
  • Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

“stoned” Greek G3036 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
  • Mark 12:4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.
  • Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

“upon” Greek G1941 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
  • Acts 11:13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
  • Acts 26:32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

“receive” Greek G1209 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
  • Luke 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
  • 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.