Acts 7:60

Kneeled down. In prayer to and adoration of the One whom he had seen on the right hand of God, though he was doubtless forced to his knees by the stoning.

Lay not this sin. Literally, “do not reckon to them this sin.” Stephen could do little with respect to his persecutors’ past sins, but he had a personal right to request forgiveness for their present transgression. In pleading for them he revealed how fully he had acquired the forgiving spirit that had characterized his Master (cf. Luke 23:34).

Fell asleep. See on Mark 5:39; John 11:11. Throughout his defense Stephen’s conduct is in marked contrast with that of his accusers. They are filled with vindictive fury, but he maintains a calm such as possessed Christ in the judgment hall. Now Luke, in closing his account of the martyr’s ministry, preserves that hallowed atmosphere in his final phrase, “he fell asleep.” The battle is over, the victory is won; God’s faithful warrior leaves the tumult and quietly sleeps until the resurrection day. Succeeding chapters show that his death was not in vain.