Simon Brown.

Join me on this journey. Let's seek the truth together! 💡 Proverbs 8:34-36 Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at my door posts. For whoever finds me finds life, and will obtain favor from Yahweh. But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death.” Psalm 84: 11 For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly. 12 Yahweh of Armies, blessed is the man who trusts in you. 1 John 5:5 Now who is the one overcoming the world, except the one believing that Jesus is the Son of God.

Tuesday, 4 August 2026

Does Acts 7:59 Really Say Stephen Was "Calling Upon God"?

Acts 7:59 Quick Facts infographic comparing the King James Version, modern Bible translations, and the original Greek text to examine whether Stephen was calling upon God.

This Quick Facts study examines Acts 7:59 by comparing the King James Version, modern translations, and the original Greek text. Does the Greek actually contain the words "calling upon God," or were those words supplied by translators? Compare the evidence and decide for yourself.


Acts 7:59 — Quick Facts

Does Acts 7:59 Really Say Stephen Was "Calling Upon God"?

Acts 7:59 is sometimes quoted from the King James Version:

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Many readers naturally assume the words "calling upon God" mean Stephen was directly calling Jesus God.

But is that what the Greek text actually says?

Quick Facts

  • The Greek text of Acts 7:59 does not contain the word "God" (θεός) in this verse.

  • Many modern translations simply read:

    "And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'"

  • The Greek verb ἐπικαλούμενον (epikaloumenon) means calling out, calling upon, or invoking, but the object "God" is not present in the Greek text.

  • The King James translators supplied the words "calling upon God" as part of their translation. In many editions, supplied words are indicated by italics.

  • The interlinear Greek text shows Stephen calling out and then saying:

    "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
    There is no Greek word for "God" in the verse itself.

  • Because of this, Acts 7:59 does not explicitly identify Jesus as God simply by using the phrase "calling upon God."

What Does This Mean?

Acts 7:59 certainly records Stephen addressing the risen Lord Jesus.

However, the verse itself does not contain the word "God" in the Greek text, so it should not be used as proof that Stephen called Jesus God on the basis of that added wording alone.

As always, every doctrine should be tested by comparing translations with the original Greek and by considering the wider teaching of Scripture.

"Test all things; hold fast what is good."1 Thessalonians 5:21


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