Bible Study series: Acts 7:57-8:1a. Criticizing the temple was a serious offense. He paid with his life. He was the first recorded martyr. (8:1a is divided up like that to fit the flow of the narrative from here to the next chapter.)
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At the link to the original post, next, I write more commentary and dig a little deeper into the Greek. I also offer a section titled Observations for Discipleship at the end. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided in the commentary section for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Acts 7:57-8:1a
57 Then they shouted with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and rushed at him in a group. 58 When they dragged him outside of the city, they began to stone him. The witnesses laid aside their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they kept stoning Stephen who called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 He fell to his knees and called out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge this sin to them!” After he said this, he fell asleep. 81a And Saul gladly approved of his murder. (Acts 7:57-8:1a)
Comments:
57:
“rushed”: The noun means a “psychological state or strong tendency, impulse, inclination, desire” (BDAG, p. 724). The noun is used only here and in Jas. 3:4 (“pilot”).
“as a group”: it is a favorite of Luke (Acts 1:14; 2:46; 4:24; 5:12; here; 12:20; 15:25; 18:12 [negative]; 19:29, and then one in Rom. 15:6). In earlier Greek literature it meant a heroic and excellent fighting spirit. But here it means “angrily united in soul and spirit.”
58:
“in the process of stoning him”: it is in the imperfect tense, which denotes a continuous action. A violent way to die, but I trust the Lord took his spirit into heaven, so he felt no pain (v. 59-60).
“witnesses”: an execution needed witnesses who were also the executioners. It is the same word used of the disciples who witnessed the resurrection and ascension of their Lord. Different contexts, but at least the meaning of the word is clearer!
Bruce sees an undersigned coincidence here. (An undersigned coincidence happens when two or more tiny textual tidbits mutually confirm the other, even though they appear in widely different texts or books of the NT.)
The young man called Saul, who guarded the clothes of the chief executioners, will play an increasingly important part in the record of Acts, as a leading champion of the cause which he is now opposing. Saul was his family name as an Israelites; he is better known in history by his Roman cognomen Paullus (Paul). It may be regarded as an undersigned coincidence that while Luke alone informs us that his Jewish name was Saul, he himself claims to have belonged to the tribe of Benjamin [Rom. 11:1; Phil. 3:5]. His parents thus gave him the name of the most illustrious member of that tribe in the nation’s history—the name of Israel’s first king, Saul. (comment on vv. 57-58).
In briefer terms, Luke records Paul’s family name (Saul) here in Acts, while Paul tells us he belonged to the tribe of Benjamin that gave Israel its first king—Saul.
59:
“kept stoning Stephen”: imperfect verb tense, as in v. 58.
It is good that Stephen was mentioned right after Saul was. Who has the better character at this stage in Saul’s life? Stephen did. But if God can convert and save Saul, he can do the same for you, regardless of what you’ve done.
When he called out, he was not motivated by pain, but so that he could be heard by the mob that was killing him.
“Receive my spirit!”: This reflects Jesus’s words in Luke 23:46. “Jesus cried out loudly and said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit!” On saying this, he expired.”
Clearly Stephen heard stories about the crucifixion that happened just a few years ago. The difference: Jesus committed his spirit to his Father; Stephen committed his spirit to Jesus. This is, once again, high Christology.
Now what about the Sanhedrin allowing this execution. Was it a simply mob rule, or did the Sanhedrin overstep their limits and look the other way? Longenecker says that Stephen’s martyrdom occurred I the mid-30s AD, and Pontius Pilate, who was stationed in Caesarea on the coast, was not in town, and his governorship was beset by increasing troubles, which diverted his attention. He would not intervene and investigate (comment on vv. 57-58).
60:
He proclaimed forgiveness on his executioners. It is always a good thing to proclaim it on those who sin against us. Jesus: “Father, forgive them because they don’t know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:34).
“fell asleep”: it is a common expression for death for the godly ones (Gen. 47:30 [LXX], Deut. 31:16 [LXX]; John 11:11; Acts 13:36; 1 Cor. 7:39; 11:30; 15:6, 51; 2 Peter 3:4). A peaceful word used for a violent death!
8:1a:
“gladly approved”: The NASB translates it as “hearty agreement.” Most translations, however, have the ordinary “agreed” or “approved” or “consented.” Saul gladly approved of Stephen’s execution. Sad. Deceived. Wrongheaded.
The Law of Moses is drawing to a close by means of the new Jesus Movement. According to Acts (so far), only Stephen enjoys enough vision and foresight to see it. He will pay for it with his life.
GrowApp for Acts 7:57-81a
1. Stephen died an honorable death. He saw the risen Jesus which assured him that he would go to heaven. Do you really believe that when you die, this life is not the end but you will be ushered into heaven?
2. How do you guarantee that heaven is your new home?
RELATED
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts
Book of Acts and Paul’s Epistles: Match Made in Heaven?
SOURCES
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