Meaning of the Name Stephen
From the Greek word 'stephanos', meaning 'crown, wreath' — the victory garland given to winners of contests in the ancient world.
Origin
The name Stephen is of Greek origin.
Who is Stephen in the Bible?
Stephen is one of the seven chosen by the first community for the service of tables, introduced as 'full of faith and of the Holy Spirit'. After his long speech before the council he is stoned, becoming the church's first martyr; dying, like Jesus, he asks forgiveness for his killers.
The story of Stephen in the Bible
Stephen steps forward in the days when the young church was growing fast. When the Greek-speaking widows were overlooked in the daily distribution, the community chose seven men to serve tables; Stephen heads the list, introduced as a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Full of grace and power, he also performed great signs among the people. When opponents could not match his wisdom, false witnesses were produced and he was brought before the high council. There he retold Israel's story from Abraham to Solomon and confronted his hearers with repeating what their ancestors had done to the prophets. Then, gazing into heaven, he said he saw the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at God's right hand. The enraged crowd dragged him out of the city and stoned him, witnesses laying their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. Under the stones Stephen entrusted his spirit to the Lord Jesus and prayed aloud, as his Lord had, that his killers be forgiven, becoming the church's first martyr.
Is Stephen mentioned in the Quran?
The name Stephen does not appear in the Quran; in the Bible he appears in the book of Acts as a servant full of faith and the Holy Spirit, remembered as the church's first martyr.
Verses where Stephen appears
- Acts 6:5-8 —
These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; whom they set before the…
- Acts 7:59-60 —
They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.