Acts 8:2

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 8:2

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial ,.... These men were not Jewish proselytes, but members of the Christian church; who were eminent for their religion and piety, and who had courage enough, amidst this persecution, to show a respect to the dead body of this holy martyr; which they took from under the stones, washed it, and wound it up in linen clothes, and put it into a coffin, or on a bier: they did everything preparatory to the funeral, which, is chiefly designed by the word... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:2

Devout men carried Stephen to his burial - The Greek word, συνεκομισαν , signifies not only to carry, or rather to gather up, but also to do every thing necessary for the interment of the dead. Among the Jews, and indeed among most nations of the earth, it was esteemed a work of piety, charity, and mercy, to bury the dead. The Jews did not bury those who were condemned by the Sanhedrin in the burying place of the fathers, as they would not bury the guilty with the innocent; and they had a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:2

Verse 2 2.They dressed Stephen. Luke showeth, that even in the heat of persecution the godly were not discouraged, but being always zealous, they did those duties which did belong to godliness. Burial seemeth to be a matter of small importance; rather than they will foreslow [neglect] the same, they bring themselves in no small hazard of life. And as the circumstance of time doth declare, that they contemned death valiantly, so again, we gather thereby that they were careful to do this thing... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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