Stephen

the first martyr

Who was Stephen?

He was one of the seven chosen in Jerusalem to take care of the daily distribution to the widows. Acts 6:1-5
He was filled with grace and power, and worked great wonders among the people. Acts 6:8
He was stoned to death. Before he died, he asked God not to hold this sin against those who were killing him. Acts 7:58-60

The name: His name is Greek, Stephanos, and it means “crown.” Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Stephen”
Occupation: One of the Seven who took care of the daily distribution to the widows Acts 6:1-5
Feast day: December 26: Saint Stephen, the First Martyr

What the Bible says

Acts 6:1-5

¹And in those days, the number of the disciples increasing, there arose a murmuring of the Greeks against the Hebrews, for that their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. ²Then the twelve calling together the multitude of the disciples, said: It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. ³Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. ⁴But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. ⁵And the saying was liked by all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch.

Acts 6:8

And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people.

Acts 7:58-60

⁵⁸And casting him forth without the city, they stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul. ⁵⁹And they stoned Stephen, invoking, and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. ⁶⁰And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Stephen

Before Jesus. In Jerusalem there were complaints: the widows of the Greek-speaking disciples were being neglected. Acts 6:1
Before Jesus. The Twelve asked that seven men filled with the Holy Spirit be chosen for this service. Stephen was the first on the list. Acts 6:2-5
Before Jesus. The apostles prayed and laid hands on them. Acts 6:6
With Jesus. Stephen, filled with grace and power, worked great wonders among the people. Acts 6:8
With Jesus. Some men from several synagogues argued with him, but they could not withstand his wisdom. Acts 6:9-10
With Jesus. They brought him before the council with false witnesses. Stephen told the story of Israel, from Abraham to Solomon. Acts 6:12-13; Acts 7:2-47
Afterward. He saw the heavens opened and Jesus at the right hand of God. They dragged him out of the city and stoned him. Acts 7:55-58
Afterward. He died praying for those who were killing him. Devout men buried him and mourned him deeply. Acts 7:59-60; Acts 8:2

Words of Stephen

“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” Acts 7:56

Before the council, when, filled with the Holy Spirit, he looked up to heaven.

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Acts 7:59

In prayer, while they were stoning him.

“Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” Acts 7:60

On his knees, before he died, for those who were stoning him.

What they were like

He was full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Acts 6:5
He was full of grace and power. Acts 6:8
The members of the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:15

The greatest thing they did

He worked great wonders and signs among the people. Acts 6:8
Before the council, he told the story of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses. Acts 7:2-44
Before he died, he prayed to God for those who were stoning him, as Jesus did on the cross. Acts 7:60; Luke 23:34

Not to be confused with

Stephanas was a Christian of Corinth whom Paul baptized along with his household. The name is similar, but he is a different man. 1 Corinthians 1:16; Acts 6:5

In the Church today

Feast day: December 26, Saint Stephen, the First Martyr (feast). General Roman Calendar

What people ask

Was Stephen a deacon?

Acts does not use that word for the Seven. Tradition sees in them the beginning of the deacons. Acts 6:1-6; Benedict XVI, general audience of January 10, 2007

Why is he called the protomartyr?

Because he was the first martyr: the first to die for bearing witness to Jesus. Benedict XVI, general audience of January 10, 2007

What does Stephen have to do with Saint Paul?

Saul was there when they stoned him, and he approved of his death. Years later, Paul himself told about it. Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1; Acts 22:20

Why is his feast on December 26?

The Church celebrates him on the day after Christmas. General Roman Calendar; Benedict XVI, general audience of January 10, 2007

Where is his tomb?

The Bible only says that devout men buried him. According to tradition, his remains were found in the year 415, near Jerusalem. Acts 8:2; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Stephen”

What he suffered Some men persuaded others to accuse him of speaking against Moses and against God. Acts 6:11 False witnesses accused him before the council. Acts 6:13 They dragged…

The rest of this page (daily life, failings, little-known facts, for you…) is part of the subscription.

See the map

Who Stephen is connected to

Jesus · saw him at the right hand of God
Paul · was there at his death
Peter · chosen by the Twelve
Philip the Deacon · two of the Seven
Moses · recalled him before the council

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

See Stephen on the map