Acts 8:1 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:1-4

Providence making missionaries. The disciples of the Lord Jesus were to be missionaries, going everywhere and preaching his gospel to every creature. But they were to begin at Jerusalem, and there wait for "the promise of the Father"—the Divine endowment of the Holy Ghost. Then they were simply to follow the openings of Divine providence and the impulses and leadings of the Divine Spirit. They evidently at first scarcely understood what their work was, or how it was to be begun. Prejudices... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:1-8

The fruits of persecution. Persecution is Satan's instrument for checking and, if possible, destroying the truth of God. Our Savior reminds us, in the sermon on the mount, how the prophets, who spake to the people in the Name of God, had been persecuted of old; and foretold how the prophets and wise men and scribes whom he would send should, in like manner, be scourged and persecuted, killed and crucified. And the history of the Church, from the first imprisonment of the apostles related... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 8:1-13

Incidents of persecution and dispersion. I. A GLIMPSE OF SAUL THE PERSECUTOR . Though brief and passing, it is very significant. He was a party to the execution of Stephen. Saul was full of ignorance and blind passion. What he afterwards felt about his conduct is expressed in 1 Timothy 1:3 . This example should be a standing warning to us against trust in mere feeling and enthusiasm. The fumes of anger and violence are no signs of pure glowing zeal for the truth, but rather... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 8:1

And Saul was consenting ... - Was pleased with his being put to death and approved it. Compare Acts 22:20. This part of the verse should have been connected with the previous chapter.And at that time. - That is, immediately following the death of Stephen. The persecution arose on account of Stephen, Acts 11:19. The tumult did not subside when Stephen was killed. The anger of his persecutors continued to be excited against all Christians. They had become so embittered by the zeal and success of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 8:1-2

Acts 8:1-2. And Saul was consenting Ην συνευδοκων τη αναιρεσει αυτου , was consenting with delight; to his death Or, more literally, was well pleased with his slaughter; for he was so full of rage and malice against the Christian name, that he thought no severities were too great to be exercised on those who thus zealously endeavoured to propagate it. And at that time Εν εκεινη τη ημερα , in that day, in the very day in which this inhuman murder was committed on Stephen, who leads... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 8:1-3

Christians driven out of Jerusalem (8:1-3)With the killing of Stephen, fierce persecution broke out against the Christians in Jerusalem. No longer did the Pharisees favour the Christians; in fact, it was a Pharisee, Saul, who led the persecution. The Christians were attacked, imprisoned, or driven violently from the city, but they did not deny their faith. Although they previously went to the temple daily, they now saw the truth of what Stephen had taught, and they were prepared to suffer for... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 8:1

consenting unto = approving of. Greek. suneu-dokeo. Only here, Acts 22:20 . Luke 11:48 . Romans 1:32 . 1Co 7:12 , 1 Corinthians 7:13 . Compare John 16:2 death. Greek. anairesis = taking off. Only here and Acts 22:20 Compare anaireo, Acts 2:23 , &c. This clause belongs to the previous chapter. at = en. App-104 time = day was = arose church. App-186 scattered abroad. Greek. diaspeiro. Only here, Acts 8:4 ; Acts 11:19 . Compare diaspora. James 1:1 . 1 Peter 1:1 throughout.... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 8:1

A second major division of Acts begins with Acts 8:5; but the first four verses continue to focus upon the church in Jerusalem. The conversion of the Samaritans by Philip is given (Acts 8:5-25), and also the conversion of the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40).And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1)This... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 8:1

Acts 8:1. And Saul was consenting unto his death— Dr. Heylin renders this, And Saul was accessary to his death; and he joins it to the last verse of the foregoing chapter. The circumstances relative to St. Paul, recorded by his most intimate and familiar friend, not only shew the fidelity of the historian, but likewise illustrate the miracle of his conversion. It was possibly at this time, when the Christians were so dispersed, that Ananias went to Damascus, ch. Acts 9:10.; while others, after... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 8:1

1. Saul was consenting unto his death—The word expresses hearty approval. they were all scattered abroad—all the leading Christians, particularly the preachers, agreeably to their Lord's injunctions ( :-), though many doubtless remained, and others (as appears by Acts 9:26-30) soon returned. except the apostles—who remained, not certainly as being less exposed to danger, but, at whatever risk, to watch over the infant cause where it was most needful to cherish it. read more