Acts 7:58

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 7:58

They cast for cast, A.V. ; garments for clothes, A.V.; the feet of a young man for a young man's feet, A.V. ; named Saul for whose name was Saul, A.V. They cast . We have here the identical phrase of Luke 4:29 . The witness. According to Deuteronomy 17:7 , "the hands of the witnesses were to be first upon" the idolater "to put him to death." They took off their clothes, their outer garments, so as to be free to hurl the stones at their victim with greater force. The feet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 7:58

Our introduction to the greatest of apostles. It is only casually mentioned that "the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul," and yet how much is declared in the brief sentence! It is our first sight of the zealous young Pharisee from Tarsus. It is at once an indication of his character and spirit. We see the impulsiveness that has taken up so violent an opposition to the Nazarene impostor and all his followers. If Saul cannot be allowed to throw the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 7:58

And cast him out of the city - This was in accordance with the usual custom. In Leviticus 24:14, it was directed to bring forth him that had cursed without the camp; and it was not usual, the Jewish writers inform us, to stone in the presence of the Sanhedrin. Though this was a popular tumult, and Stephen was condemned without the regular process of trial, yet some of the “forms” of law were observed, and he was stoned in the manner directed in the case of blasphemers.And stoned him - This was... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 7:57-59

Acts 7:57-59. Then they cried out with a loud voice Being provoked to such a degree that they could not contain themselves, and meaning to drown the voice of Stephen; and stopped their ears As if they could not bear to hear such blasphemy as they wished to have it thought he had spoken. And ran upon him Greek, ωρμησαν , rushed on him with one accord, before any sentence was regularly passed; and cast Greek, εκβαλοντες εξω της πολεως , casting him out of the city It seems by a gate... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 7:1-60

Stephen before the Sanhedrin (7:1-60)The defence that Stephen made before the Sanhedrin was not designed to win its approval. He outlined Israel’s history to demonstrate two main points. First, God had never shown himself to be limited to one dwelling place, or even one locality (therefore the Jews were mistaken in attaching such importance to the temple in Jerusalem). Second, the people of Israel had always rejected the messengers of God (therefore their rejection of the Messiah Jesus was not... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 7:58

out of = without. Greek. exo. Compare Leviticus 24:14 . The charge was blasphemy, as in the case of his Master. Compare Hebrews 13:13 . stoned him = kept easting stones at him. Greek. lithoboleo. Compare Mark 12:4 . witnesses. See note on Acts 1:8 . In accordance with the law they had to cast the first stone (Deuteronomy 17:7 ). young man. Greek. neanias . Only here, Acts 20:9 ; Acts 23:17 , Acts 23:18 , Acts 23:22 . He was probably about thirty-three years of age. Neanias was the next... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 7:58

58. cast him out of the city—according to Leviticus 24:14; Numbers 15:35; 1 Kings 21:13; and see Hebrews 13:12. and stoned—"proceeded to stone" him. The actual stoning is recorded in Hebrews 13:12- :. and the witnesses—whose hands were to be first upon the criminal (Hebrews 13:12- :). laid down their clothes—their loose outer garments, to have them taken charge of. at a young man's feet whose name was Saul—How thrilling is this our first introduction to one to whom Christianity—whether as... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 7:57-58

Stephen’s declaration amounted to blasphemy to the Sanhedrin. They knew that when he said "Son of Man" he meant "Jesus." Furthermore, the Jews believed that no one had the right to be at God’s right hand in heaven. [Note: Ibid.] The Sanhedrin members therefore cried out in agony of soul, covered their ears so they would hear no more, and seized Stephen to prevent him from saying more or escaping. Stoning was the penalty for blasphemy in Israel (Leviticus 24:16; Deuteronomy 17:7), and the... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 7:1-60

Defence and Martyrdom of Stephen1-53. Speech of Stephen. There is every reason to believe that this speech was really delivered by St. Stephen, and not composed by St. Luke; for, (1) the speech does not (in any direct manner) answer the charges alleged (Acts 6:14), as a speech composed by the historian himself would have done; (2) there are several erroneous references to the OT. (not all due to the use of LXX), natural enough in a speech delivered impromptu, but not natural in a speech... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Acts 7:58

(58) And stoned him.—Literally, were stoning him. The verb is repeated in Acts 7:59, as if to show that the shower of stones went on even during the martyr’s prayers.The witnesses laid down their clothes.—The Law required, as if to impress on witnesses their solemn responsibility, that they should be the first, if the accused were condemned to death, to take part in his execution (Deuteronomy 17:7). Our Lord, it will be remembered, had applied the rule in the case of the woman taken in adultery... read more

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