Painterly portrait of a young first-century man with short dark beard, peaceful upward gaze as if seeing heaven open, robed in simple cream and earth tones.
Painterly interpretation — not a historical likeness.

New Testament

Stephen

First Christian martyr — who died forgiving his killers, just like his Lord.

Well-attestedc. AD 30s, Jerusalem

Their story, briefly

  1. Chosen as one of the seven to serve widows in the Jerusalem church.
  2. Full of grace and power; performed wonders and signs among the people.
  3. Preached a long sermon retelling Israel's story and naming Christ as its fulfillment.
  4. Saw heaven opened and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand.
  5. Was stoned to death praying, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.'

Key passages

  • Acts 6:1-7
  • Acts 6:8-15
  • Acts 7:51-56
  • Acts 7:57-60
  • Acts 8:1-4

How their life points to Christ

Stephen dies the way Jesus died — entrusting his spirit, forgiving his killers, looking to the Father. The risen Christ is not seated but standing to receive him. And in the crowd holding the coats is a young Pharisee named Saul, whose own road to Damascus has already begun in Stephen's last words.

Want to walk through this together?

Open a calm conversation seeded with Stephen's story.

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More from Scripture

Painterly portrait of a first-century Judean woman with warm olive skin and dark hair under a soft head covering, an apron over linen robes of dusty rose and cream.

Martha of Bethany

Hostess, sister, grieving believer — and the woman who confessed Jesus is the Christ.