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
Related links:
- The Greatest Commandment Ever Given — Who Is the One True God?
- Mark 12:29 — Why Did Jesus Quote the Shema?
- Deuteronomy 6:4 — The Shema: "Hear, O Israel, Yahweh Our God Is One"
- John 10:30 — What Did Jesus Mean by "I and the Father Are One"?
- John 8:58 — What Did Jesus Mean by "Before Abraham Was, I Am"?
- John 20:28 — Did Thomas Really Call Jesus Almighty God?
- John 14:9 — "He Who Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father" Explained
- John 17:5 — Did Jesus Exist with the Father Before the World Began?
- John 1:1 — Does "The Word Was God" Mean Jesus Is Almighty God?
- 2 Peter 1:1 — Another Trinitarian Misunderstanding?
- Colossians 1:15–17 — Does "Firstborn of All Creation" Mean Jesus Was Created?
- Hebrews 1:2 — Did God Create the Universe or the Ages Through His Son?
- Who Is the Alpha and the Omega?
- Did the Doctrine of the Trinity Originate with Jesus Christ and His Apostles?
- Is Jesus God, or the Son of God? What Does the Whole Bible Teach?
- Scriptures Proving Yahweh: The One True God of Israel Is the Creator Alone.
- John 6:38 — How Did Jesus Come Down From Heaven?

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