Acts 7:58

And cast [him] out of the city, and stoned [him]: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

And {G2532} cast {G1544} him out of {G1854} the city {G4172}, and stoned {G3036} him: and {G2532} the witnesses {G3144} laid down {G659} their {G846} clothes {G2440} at {G3844} a young man's {G3494} feet {G4228}, whose name was {G2564} Saul {G4569}.

threw him outside the city and began stoning him. And the witnesses laid down their coats at the feet of a young man named Sha’ul.

They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Commentary

Acts 7:58 marks a tragic yet profoundly significant moment in early Christian history: the martyrdom of Stephen and the introduction of Saul, who would later become the Apostle Paul.

Context of Acts 7:58

This verse immediately follows Stephen's powerful and lengthy sermon before the Sanhedrin, where he recounted Israel's history, highlighting their rebellion against God and their rejection of His prophets, culminating in their rejection of Jesus (Acts 7:51-53). Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen then declared he saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. This declaration was perceived as blasphemy by the Jewish leaders, inciting a furious mob. The act of casting him out of the city before stoning was customary for executions outside the city walls, particularly for offenses deemed sacrilegious under Jewish law.

Key Themes and Messages

  • First Christian Martyrdom: Stephen becomes the first recorded martyr for Christ, demonstrating unwavering faith even unto death. His death underscores the intense persecution faced by the early church.
  • The Introduction of Saul: The presence of "a young man named Saul" is a pivotal detail. Though seemingly a minor figure here, his active participation (or at least approval) in Stephen's stoning foreshadows his prominent role as a persecutor of Christians (Acts 8:3) before his dramatic conversion. This moment sets the stage for God's transformative power.
  • Witnesses and Legal Process: According to Deuteronomic law (Deuteronomy 17:7), the witnesses to the alleged crime were required to cast the first stones. Their laying down clothes at Saul's feet signifies his authority or approval over the execution, perhaps as a leader or an official overseeing the process.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "witnesses" is martyres (μάρτυρες), from which we derive the English word "martyr." In this context, it refers to those who testified against Stephen, but ironically, Stephen himself became the ultimate martyr, bearing witness to Christ with his life. The term "young man" for Saul is neanias (νεανίας), which could describe someone anywhere from their early twenties to late thirties, indicating he was in a vigorous stage of life, capable of exercising authority or influence.

Practical Application and Reflection

Acts 7:58 reminds believers of the potential cost of following Christ, but also of the profound ways God works even through human malice. Stephen's steadfast faith in the face of death serves as an enduring inspiration for perseverance. More remarkably, this verse introduces us to Saul, who would become one of Christianity's most influential figures. It highlights God's incredible power to transform even the most fervent opponents into passionate advocates, demonstrating His boundless grace and capacity for redemption, as seen in Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem bleak or unjust.

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Cross-References

  • Acts 22:20 (7 votes)

    And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

  • Acts 8:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

  • Leviticus 24:14 (5 votes)

    Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard [him] lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.

  • Leviticus 24:16 (5 votes)

    And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, [and] all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name [of the LORD], shall be put to death.

  • Acts 6:13 (5 votes)

    And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

  • Acts 22:4 (4 votes)

    And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

  • Deuteronomy 17:7 (4 votes)

    The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.