The Son of Man is the exalted figure prophesied in Daniel (Daniel 7:13–14), a term Jesus used to refer to himself (Mark 8:31, Mark 8:38). Jesus' standing rather than sitting suggests immanent action. Possibly Jesus will act as judge to receive Stephen’s witness and vindicate his claims (cf. Luke 12:8).1 Whatever might happen to Stephen on earth is thus not reflective of how God views events nor the final word on his testimony or his opponents' rejection of his testimony.2
56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”