Event New Testament
Stephen's martyrdom
Also known as The first martyr
Stephen, one of seven men chosen to serve the Jerusalem church, worked wonders and debated in the synagogues until he was accused of speaking against the temple and the law. His defense retold Israel's story from Abraham to Solomon, he saw Jesus standing at God's right hand, and he was stoned while praying for his killers. A young man named Saul approved.
Why it matters. The church's first martyr dies with the words of Jesus on his lips, and the persecution that follows scatters the Gospel beyond Jerusalem.
- Primary passages
- Witnesses
Chronology confidence: high
Acts 6 introduces Stephen among the seven chosen to serve; Acts 7 records his speech and death. Saul is named as approving.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
Connections
The healing at the Beautiful Gate precedes Stephen's martyrdom
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceActs narrates these events in this order.
Stephen's martyrdom precedes Philip and the Ethiopian official
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceActs narrates these events in this order.
Evidence:Paul participates in Stephen's martyrdom
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe text names Paul in this event at the cited verses.
Stephen participates in Stephen's martyrdom
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceThe text names Stephen in this event at the cited verses.
Evidence:Stephen's martyrdom occurs at Jerusalem
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceStephen served the Jerusalem church and was dragged out of the city to be stoned.
Stephen's martyrdom develops the theme The Holy Spirit
Explicit in ScriptureHigh confidenceStephen is described as full of the Holy Spirit.