(Verse 54) - They were cut to the heart - They were exceedingly enraged and indignant. The whole course of the speech had been such as to excite their anger, and now they could restrain themselves no longer.

They gnashed on him  - Expressive of the bitterness and malignity of their feeling.  It is unclear as to whether or not the actually bit him or not.  One would suspect this is not physical biting, at least it is to be hoped not.  If not physical biting, then at the least it means that they gave full vent to their anger in horrible words and cursings.  The heart always demonstrates its true state in such occasions!

(Verse 55) - Full of the Holy Ghost – (See the notes on Acts 2:4).

Looked up stedfastly - Fixed his eyes intently on heaven. Foreseeing his danger, and the effect his speech had produced; seeing that there was no safety in the Great Council of the nation, and no prospect of justice at their hands, he cast his eyes to heaven and commended himself to heaven’s care. When dangers threaten us, our hope of safety lies in heaven. When people threaten our persons, reputation, or lives, it becomes us to fix our eyes on the heavenly world; and we shall not look in vain.

And saw the glory of God - This phrase is commonly used to denote the visible symbols of God. It means some magnificent representation; a splendor, or light, that is the appropriate exhibition of the presence of God, (Matt. 16:27; 24:30). (See Luke 2:9). In the case of Stephen there is every indication of a vision or supernatural representation of the heavenly objects; something in advance of mere “faith” such as dying Christians now have. What was its precise nature we have no means of ascertaining. Objects were often represented to prophets by “visions”; and probably something similar is intended here. It was such an elevation of view - such a representation of truth and of the glory of God, as to be denoted by the word “see”; though it is not to be maintained that Stephen really saw the Savior with the bodily eye.

On the right hand of God - That is, exalted to a place of honor and power in the heavens. (See Matt. 26:64; Acts 2:25 note).

(Verse 56) - I see the heavens opened - A figurative expression, denoting that he was permitted to see “into” heaven, or to see what was there, AS IF the firmament was divided, and the eye was permitted to penetrate the eternal world. (Compare Ezek. 1:1).

(Verse 57) - Then they cried out - That is, probably, “the people,” not the members of the council. It is evident he was put to death in a popular tumult. They had charged him with blasphemy; and they regarded what he had now said as full proof of it.

And stopped their ears - That they might hear no more blasphemy.

With one accord - In a tumult; unitedly.

(Verse 58) - And cast him out of the city - This was in accordance with the usual custom. In Lev. 24:14, it was directed to bring forth him that had cursed without the camp; and it was not usual, the Jewish writers inform us, to stone in the presence of the Sanhedrin. Though this was a popular tumult, and Stephen was condemned without the regular process of trial, yet some of the “forms” of law were observed, and he was stoned in the manner directed in the case of blasphemers.

And stoned him - This was the punishment appointed in the case of blasphemy, (Lev. 24:16. See John 10:31).  It is interesting that they appeal to the Law when it serves their own purposes, but are not willing even to hear the voice of God when it contradicts their perception of their rightness before Him.  This is typical of human religion which is, at best, a religion of convenience and comfort to men, instead of the lamppost and sign leading to the Gospel that God intended it to be.

And the witnesses - That is, the false witnesses who bore testimony against him, (Acts 6:13). It was directed in the Law (Deut. 17:7) that the “witnesses” in the case should be first in executing the sentence of the Law. This was done to prevent false accusations by the prospect that THEY must be employed as executioners. After THEY had commenced the process of execution, all the people joined in it, (Deut. 17:7; Lev. 24:16).

Laid down their clothes - Their “outer garments.” They were accustomed to lay these aside when they ran or worked. (See Matt. 5:40).

At a young man’s feet  - That is, they procured him to take care of their garments. This is mentioned solely because Saul, or Paul, afterward became so celebrated, first as a persecutor, and then an apostle. His whole heart was in this persecution of Stephen; and he himself afterward alluded to this circumstance as an evidence of his sinfulness in persecuting the Lord Jesus, (Acts 22:20).