NT Text: Acts 7:56
OT Source(s):
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): Promise-Fulfillment + Typology (Direct Type, Forward-Looking)
Anchor Text: Dan 7:13-14 — The Son of Man Receiving Dominion
Significance: Stephen's dying vision — "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56) — combines Dan 7:13-14's Son of Man figure with Ps 110:1's session at the right hand. The distinctively Stephanic detail is that the Son of Man is standing rather than seated (contrast the seated position in Heb 1:3; 8:1; 10:12), which may indicate Christ rising as advocate or witness for Stephen as he faces his accusers, or that his standing signals the imminent eschatological judgment the vision portends for Israel. The term ho huios tou anthrōpou ("Son of Man") is Jesus' own preferred self-designation throughout the Gospels, rooted in Dan 7:13-14 where "one like a son of man" approaches the Ancient of Days and receives an eternal kingdom over all nations — an investiture scene that Acts 2:33-36 interprets as Christ's ascension and session. Stephen sees that investiture as already accomplished.