Translation
Having fallen on [his] knees, he shouted with intense emotion,
Go to footnote number“LORD, do not appoint
Go to footnote numberto them this sin.” And having said this, he fell asleep.
Paraphrase
Then he fell on his knees, and shouted with intense emotion, Oh SUPREME RULER, I ask you not to assign them the full consequences of the action they are taking against me. Show mercy.” After saying this he lost consciousness.
Footnotes
1
This is the same words used earlier of the Rabbis. When they “cried out” it was probably unintelligible and was an expression of intense rage, but in Stephen’s case it was clearly understood speech that expressed intense emotion.
2
This word is usually rendered “to stand”, but it can also mean, “to appoint, assign, establish, set in place, make firm, make steadfast” and others. Here it has to do with assigning consequences for their actions and allowing those consequences to “stand firm” without being reduced.
STEPHEN FINALLY FELL TO HIS KNEES
It is interesting that, up to this point, Stephen had remained standing. That fits what I said about the old men being incapable of hurling stones with deadly force. This also tells us that they did not throw him off the city wall.
I envision it happening like this. The old Rabbis of the Sanhedrin acted in fury. They rushed Stephen to the place designated for stonings and were breathing heavily by the time they got there. Right away they ordered that Stephen’s feet to be bound, and that he be cast into the lower area, wherever that was. His hands were already bound. Then they began to throw whatever stones they could throw. But they were completely ineffective and became winded very quickly.
Then they began to command their assistants and others that had come with them to cast bigger stones. Some of those people may have resisted at first, saying, “But I was not in the chamber, so I am not a witness to his crime.” The old Rabbis responded, “Just do what I tell you! Believe me, this man deserves to die.” So the servants, assistants, and anyone else that had come with them slowly began to do as they were commanded. I believe that is when Stephen said his prayer asking God receiving his spirit. He could see what the outcome would be now that anyone and everyone was getting involved.
STEPHEN WAS BEING LIKE JESUS
Stephen had wanted to die well, to honor his Lord in his final moments. And he did! God had allowed him to see a glimpse of God’s glory in heaven, and Jesus had stood up to indicate that He wanted to help Stephen go through this trial in the right way. Through this act of asking for mercy instead of full consequences, Stephen was showing everyone what Jesus is like and what God is like.