Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
60. Kneeling down, he cried. This is the other part of his prayer, wherein he joineth the love of men with faith in Christ; and surely if we desire to be gathered to Christ for our salvation, we must put on this affection.
The Sanhedrin were cut to the heart with rage, not sorrow, hell itself broken loose in human form, malice in perfection. They could not answer Stephen's arguments, so fury consumed them. Their wonderful discomposure stands against his wonderful composure: here is corruption in its full strength.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 7:54-60
Verse 60. And he kneeled down. This seems to have been a voluntary kneeling; a placing himself in this position for the purpose of prayer, choosing to die in this attitude. Lord. That is, Lord Jesus. . Lay not, etc. Forgive them. This passage strikingly resembles the dying prayer of the Lord Jesus, .