Stephen saw “the heavens opened” (Acts 7:56; cf. on Isa. 6:1). None of the onlookers saw the glory of the heavens thus opened, and the statement that Stephen saw this glory seemed to them to aggravate his guilt. But only the prophets can tell us whether what they see is with the inward spiritual eye or through an extension of the physical sense (cf. Matt. 3:16; 2 Cor. 12:1-6).

 Compare on Gen. 3:24; Ex. 13:21; John 1:14; Acts 7:2. Stephen’s speech begins with a reference to “the God of glory,” and ends by reporting a vision of divine glory that shines upon his mind. With what a rapt expression he must have gazed into that glory. He forgot the deadly peril of the moment, and gave himself entirely to the heavenly vision.

Christ is usually spoken of as sitting at the right hand of God.

 See on Matt. 26:64. This sight of the Father and the Son fortified their faithful suffering servant.

 See on ch. 1:10.

 Implying not a sudden inspiration, but a continuing experience. As at the beginning (ch. 6:5), so at the end, Stephen is “full of the Holy Ghost.”

Pointing the simple, stark contrast to his raving opponents.