7:60 What does it mean that Stephen "fell asleep"?
7:60 What does it mean that Stephen "fell asleep"?
This is the characteristic New Testament expression for the death of believers (CP Mt 27:51-52; Ac 13:36; 1Cor 11:30; 15:6, 18, 20, 51; 1Th 4:14-15; 5:20; 2Pe 3:4).
The word sleep, when applied to death in scripture denotes that while the body may be lifeless, the spirit and the soul of the person who died lives forever (CP Gen 3:19; Eccl 3:19-21; Jas 2:26). Where the spirit and the soul live though is entirely up to the individual.
The saved go to be with Jesus (CP Eccl 12:7; Mt 25:37-46; Ac 7:59; 2Cor 5:1, 6-9; Php 1:21-24; He 12:22-23; Rev 6:9-11).
The unsaved are cast down into hell (CP Psa 9:17; 55:15; Isa 66:24; Mt 5:21-22, 29-30; 25:41-46; Mk 9:43-48; Lu 16:19-31; Rev 20:11-15). By his death Stephen became the first Christian martyr.
(See also comments on Mt 9:23-24 and Jn 11:33).