“And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.”
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel - the Sanhedrin's observation of Stephen's face recalls Moses's radiant countenance after encountering God (Exodus 34:29-30, 35), where 'the skin of his face shone' from divine encounter. The phrase 'like the face of an angel' (hosei prosopon angelou) suggests a transfiguration, a visible sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and power. Despite the false accusations, Stephen's appearance testifies to his true spiritual authority; his face betrays his holiness even to hostile witnesses.
Church Fathers on Acts 6:15
And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Acts 6:15 So possible is it even for one in a lower degree to shine. For what, I ask, had this man less than the Apostles? He lacked not miracles, and great was the boldness he exhibited. — They saw His face, it is said, as it had been the face of an angel. Exodus 34:30 For this was his grace, this was the glory of Moses. God made him thus gracious (ἐ πίχαριν) of…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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