Acts 8:2

And devout men carried Stephen [to his burial], and made great lamentation over him.

And {G1161} devout {G2126} men {G435} carried {G4792} Stephen {G4736} to his burial, and {G2532} made {G4160} great {G3173} lamentation {G2870} over {G1909} him {G846}.

Some godly men buried Stephen and mourned him deeply.

God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.

And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.

Acts 8:2 KJV describes the immediate aftermath of the martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, highlighting the deep sorrow and reverence shown by the early believers. The verse states, "And devout men carried Stephen [to his burial], and made great lamentation over him."

Context

This verse directly follows the dramatic account of Stephen's stoning, detailed in Acts chapter 7. His death marked a significant turning point, initiating a severe persecution against the church in Jerusalem, which ultimately led to the scattering of believers and the broader spread of the Gospel. Despite the violent, public nature of his execution, and Saul's presence and approval of the stoning, these "devout men" risked their own safety to give Stephen a proper burial, demonstrating courage and respect.

Key Themes

  • Courage and Devotion Amidst Persecution: The act of burying Stephen and publicly mourning him was a brave, defiant act. It showed immense devotion to a fallen brother in faith, even when such actions could invite similar persecution upon themselves.
  • Profound Grief and Lamentation: The "great lamentation" underscores the deep emotional impact of Stephen's death on the early Christian community. It was a sincere expression of sorrow for the loss of a beloved leader and the first martyr, affirming that grief is a natural human response, even for those with strong faith.
  • Honoring the Departed: Despite the circumstances of his death, Stephen was given a respectful burial, a sign of honor and dignity bestowed upon him by his fellow believers. This act acknowledges his significant contribution and sacrifice.

Linguistic Insights

The term "devout men" translates the Greek word eulabēs (εὐλαβής), which denotes individuals who are pious, reverent, and conscientious in their religious duties. These were not just sympathetic onlookers, but men of deep spiritual conviction who acted out of respect for God and His servant. The word "lamentation" comes from the Greek kopetos (κοπετός), which signifies a public and often loud expression of grief, involving wailing and even beating of the breast, indicating profound and visible sorrow.

Practical Application

Acts 8:2 reminds us of the solidarity and compassion that should characterize a community of faith, especially in times of suffering and loss. It highlights the importance of honoring those who suffer or sacrifice for their beliefs, and it affirms that expressing grief is a healthy and necessary part of the human experience. Even in the face of adversity, believers are called to demonstrate courage and love, mirroring Christ's example of sacrificial love. This verse encourages us to stand with those who mourn and to remember that even in death, there is dignity and hope for those who follow Christ, as seen in the Christian hope regarding the departed.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Genesis 50:10

    And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which [is] beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.

  • Genesis 50:11

    And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This [is] a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abelmizraim, which [is] beyond Jordan.

  • Acts 10:2

    [A] devout [man], and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

  • 2 Samuel 3:31

    And David said to Joab, and to all the people that [were] with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David [himself] followed the bier.

  • Genesis 23:2

    And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same [is] Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

  • 1 Samuel 28:3

    Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

  • Acts 2:5

    ¶ And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

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