“Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.”
When he had said this, he fell asleep - the description 'fell asleep' (koimaō) is the Lukan euphemism for death (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:51), emphasizing peace and the promise of resurrection. Stephen's death is presented not as tragedy but as a peaceful entrance into the heavenly rest. The language elevates martyrdom as entry into eschatological peace.
Church Fathers on Acts 7:46
Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion he had seen. Acts 7:44 Even when there was a Tabernacle, yet there were no sacrifices. Did ye offer unto Me slain beasts and sacrifices? Amos 5:25 There was the tabernacle of witness, and yet it profited them nothing, but they were consumed. But neither before, nor afterwards, did the miracles profit them anything. Which also,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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