Acts 7:54-56 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

When they heard these things These plain, and undeniable, and alarming truths; they were cut to the heart Or sawn asunder, the original word being the same that is used chap. Acts 5:33. And not permitting him to proceed any further, in a transport of rage, they gnashed on him with their teeth As if they would have devoured him alive. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost And therefore no way terrified with the foresight of the evil which appeared to be determined against him; looked up steadfastly into heaven From whence alone he could expect help or mercy; and saw the glory of God Prepared for him; and Jesus standing on the right hand of God Risen up from the throne of his glory, (for he is generally represented as sitting,) to afford help to his distressed servant, and ready to receive him. Doubtless many other martyrs, as Mr. Addison has observed, when called to suffer the last extremities, had extraordinary assistances of a similar kind; otherwise frail mortality could not have endured the torments under which they rejoiced, and sometimes preached Christ, to the conversion of spectators, and, in some instances, of their guards and tormentors.