The priests and rulers could not prevail against the clear, calm wisdom of Stephen. They determined to make an example of him, and while they thus satisfied their revengeful hatred, prevent others, through fear, from adopting his belief. Witnesses were hired to bear false testimony that they had heard him speak blasphemous words against the temple and the law. "We have heard him say," these witnesses declared, "that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us."

Da præsterne ikke kunne få bugt med Stefanus´ klare, rolige visdom, besluttede de at statuere et eksempel på ham, og samtidig med at de således tilfredsstillede deres hævntørst, ville de gennem frygten forhindre andre i at antage denne tro. Der blev lejet falske vidner til at bære vidnesbyrd imod ham om, at de havde hørt ham tale bespotteligt mod templet og loven. ”Thi vi har hørt ham sige”, erklærede disse vidner ”Denne Jesus fra Nazaret skal nedbryde dette sted og forandre de skikke, som Moses har overleveret os.”