The rendering of heaven opened must not be such as to suggest that “heaven is split open.” It is necessary, therefore, in some languages, to translate as “the entrance to heaven is open.” Otherwise the term “opened” would suggest some damage having occurred to heaven.

This is the only passage outside the Gospels where the phrase the Son of Man appears. It is obvious that by the use of this term Stephen was referring to Jesus, and it is just as obvious that the Jewish Council understood him in this fashion. This explains the reaction of the Jewish Council toward Stephen; in their minds he has committed blasphemy by identifying Jesus with God. However one translates the title Son of Man, it should be translated in such a fashion as to indicate that it is a term of dignity and power and not merely that the person to whom he referred was a man. For new readers and other persons who may have a limited background for understanding the meaning of this term, the name Jesus could be substituted in the text for the Son of Man with a footnote explaining what has been done. Commentators offer different explanations of the reason that he was standing at the right side of God, but most generally it is assumes that Jesus stands in order to welcome his faithful witness.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .