standing at the right hand of God: Usually, the Bible describes Jesus as seated in heaven at God’s right side (2:33–34; 5:31; Luke 20:42; 22:69; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3, 13; 10:12). One possible explanation has been proposed by some church fathers that Jesus was welcoming Stephen to heaven with honor as the first New Testament martyr. Stephen was loyal in confessing his Lord on earth. Now his Lord honored his promise to confess his loyal servant in heaven. Jesus was standing as a witness to defend him (Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8).
Son of Man standing: Compare Daniel 7:13–14. The Jewish leaders understood that Stephen was speaking of Jesus as the divine Son of Man (Acts 7:57). This title speaks of Jesus’s power and authority (compare Revelation 1:12–15).