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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλεως
the city
G4172
πόλεως
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
5 of 19
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μάρτυρες
the witnesses
G3144
μάρτυρες
the witnesses
Strong's:
G3144
Word #:
9 of 19
a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν
G846
αὐτῶν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
παρὰ
at
G3844
παρὰ
at
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 22:20And 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 8:1And 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.Acts 6:13And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:Acts 22:4And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.Deuteronomy 17:7The 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.Luke 4:29And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.1 Kings 21:13And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.Numbers 15:35And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
Historical Context
Stoning was Jewish execution for blasphemy. Witnesses bore primary responsibility for initiating the stoning. Saul's presence and approval (Acts 8:1) later became part of his testimony.
Questions for Reflection
- How might Stephen's death have influenced Saul's later conversion?
- What does execution 'outside the city' connect to Jesus' crucifixion outside Jerusalem?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They 'cast him out of the city' before stoning - following Levitical protocol for execution outside the camp (Leviticus 24:14). The witnesses laying their clothes 'at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul' introduces Paul. Stephen's death and Saul's presence plant seeds for Christianity's greatest missionary.