Acts 8:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 8:1-3

In these verses we have, I. Something more concerning Stephen and his death; how people stood affected to it?variously, as generally in such cases, according to men's different sentiments of things. Christ had said to his disciples, when he was parting with them (John 16:20), You shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice. Accordingly here is, 1. Stephen's death rejoiced in by one?by many, no doubt, but by one in particular, and that was Saul, who was afterwards called Paul; he was... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 8:1-4

Acts 8:1-40 is an important chapter in the history of the Church. The Church began by being a purely Jewish institution. Acts 6:1-15 shows the first murmurings of the great debate about the acceptance of the Gentiles. Stephen had had a mind far above national delimitations. Acts 8:1-40 shows the Church reaching out. Persecution scattered the Church abroad and where they went they took their gospel. Into Acts 8:1-40 comes Philip who, like Stephen, was one of the Seven and who is to be... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 8:1-4

8:1-4 At that time a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. They were all scattered abroad throughout the districts of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. Pious men carried Stephen away to bury him, and they mourned greatly over him. As for Saul, he ravaged the church. He went into house after house and dragged out both men and women and put them under arrest. The death of Stephen was the signal for an outbreak of persecution which compelled the Christians to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:1

And Saul was consenting unto his death ,.... This clause, in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic and Ethiopic versions, stands at the close of the preceding chapter, and which seems to be its proper place; and so it does in the Alexandrian copy: that Saul consented to the death of Stephen, and approved of that barbarous action, is evident from his taking care of the clothes of the witnesses that stoned him; but the word here used signifies not a bare consent only, but a consent with pleasure... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:1

Saul was consenting unto his death - So inveterate was the hatred that this man bore to Christ and his followers that he delighted in their destruction. So blind was his heart with superstitious zeal that he thought he did God service by offering him the blood of a fellow creature, whose creed he supposed to be erroneous. The word συνευδοκων signifies gladly consenting, being pleased with his murderous work! How dangerous is a party spirit; and how destructive may zeal even for the true... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:1

Verse 1 1.At that day. The persecution began at Stephen, after that, when their madness was thereby set on fire, it waxed hot against all, both one and other. For the wicked are like brute beasts, for when they have once tasted blood they are more desirous thereof, and become more cruel through committing murder. For Satan, who is the father of all cruelty, doth first take from them all feeling of humanity when they are once imbrued with innocent blood; that done, he stirreth up in them an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:1

There arose on that day for at that time there was, A.V. ; in for at, A.V. Saul was consenting to his death . St. Paul's repeated reference to this sad episode in his life is very touching (see Acts 22:2 ,0; 1 Corinthians 15:9 ; 1 Timothy 1:13 ). (For the word συνευδοκεῖν , to consent, see Acts 22:20 ; Luke 11:48 ; Romans 1:32 ; 1 Corinthians 7:12 .) Arose on that day . The phrase is manifestly the Hebrew one, אוּההַ מוֹיּבַּ , so constantly used in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:1-3

The enemy coming in like a flood. I. THE FLOOD OF INIQUITY CALLED FORTH BY THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY GHOST . 1. The corruption of the Jewish state. Instances in the case of Saul of Tarsus, assenting to the death of Stephen. The organized persecution as an answer to the gospel. The insincerity of those who pretended to accept Gamaliel's wise counsel. Their real cowardice in not venturing to lay hold of the apostles. 2. The persecution had now a leader... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:1-4

Perversion and restoration. These verses suggest— I. HOW FAR FROM RIGHT FEELING WILL WRONG THOUGHTS LEAD MEN ASTRAY . "Saul was consenting [rejoicing] unto his death" ( Acts 8:1 ). "Saul made havoc of [was ravaging] the Church," etc. ( Acts 8:3 ). The death of the first martyr, which was so utterly shameful to those who compassed it, and so deeply regrettable from a human estimate, was, in the eyes of Saul, a thing in which to triumph with savage pleasure.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:1-4

Discordant elements obedient to the accomplishing of one purpose. This short paragraph is not only full of incident, but of strangely contrary kind of incident. It seems at first a mere medley of facts, history's patchwork, or like some mosaic pretending to no harmony at all. This first impression, however, soon passes off, and each incident of the group assumes yet clearer outline and is seen to fit into its place. The fact still remains, however, that the materials are of very... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 8:1-3

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 8:1-4

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 8:1-4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 8:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:1-4

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