But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God - as the Sanhedrin rages in earthly violence, Stephen is transported to a heavenly vision. 'Full of the Holy Spirit' (plērēs pneumatos hagiou) is his protection and his power. He 'looked up to heaven' (atenizon eis ton ouranon, gazed steadily into heaven), his eyes fixed on the transcendent reality. 'The glory of God' (tēn doxan tou theou) is the radiant presence of the divine, typically appearing in theophany. Most significantly: 'Jesus standing at the right hand of God' (Iēsoun hestōta ek dexiōn tou theou) - Jesus is standing, not seated at the right hand (as in the typical exaltation formula); the standing suggests witness and reception, that Jesus stands as an advocate for his martyr, or stands to welcome Stephen into heaven.

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