• Acts 22:20
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 20 καὶ and ὅτε when ἐξεχύννετο was being poured out τὸ the αἷμα blood Στεφάνου of Stephen τοῦ the μάρτυρός witness σου, of you, καὶ also αὐτὸς very ἤμην I was ἐφεστὼς having stood upon καὶ and συνευδοκῶν thinking well along with καὶ and φυλάσσων guarding τὰ the ἱμάτια outer garments τῶν of the (ones) ἀναιρούντων taking up αὐτόν. him.

  • Acts 22:20
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 20 And when the blood of Stephen thy witness was being shed even I myself was standing by and approving, and guarding the mantles of them who were slaying him.

  • Acts 22:20
    King James Version

    • 20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

  • Acts Study Notes—Chapter 22
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 22:20

      your witness: The Greek term for “witness,” marʹtys, refers to one who observes a deed or an event. From firsthand knowledge, some first-century Christians could bear witness to, or confirm, historical facts about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. (Ac 1:21, 22; 10:40, 41) Those who later put faith in Jesus could bear witness by proclaiming the significance of his life, death, and resurrection. (Ac 22:15) Speaking to Jesus, Paul used the word in this sense when he called Stephen “your witness.” Before the Sanhedrin, Stephen had given a powerful testimony about Jesus. Stephen was also the first to bear witness that he had seen, in a special vision, Jesus returned to heaven and standing at the right hand of God, as prophesied at Ps 110:1. (Ac 7:55, 56) Christian witnessing often meant facing opposition, arrest, beatings, and even death, as in the case of Stephen, James, and others. Accordingly, the Greek term marʹtys later came to signify “one who witnesses at the cost of his life, martyr,” that is, one who suffers death rather than renounce his faith. In this sense, Stephen became the first Christian martyr, whose blood . . . was being spilled because of the testimony he gave about Christ.​—See study note on Ac 1:8.