1. Acts 7:60 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does it mean that Stephen fell asleep?

Acts 7:60 (ESV)

60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Falling asleep is a euphemism often used in the New Testament to describe the death of a believer (e.g., Acts 13:36; 1 Corinthians 15:6, 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–15).