Acts 7:58-60
Then 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. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The seemingly minor detail of the witnesses laying their garments at Saul's feet reveals his significant role in this persecution; he wasn't just a bystander, but a keeper of the tools of execution, a sign of his zealous, active participation. This act also foreshadows his later, profound transformation, marking the first appearance of the man who would become the Apostle Paul.
Stephen has just finished a bold defense of his faith, accusing his Jewish accusers of always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as their ancestors had. Enraged, the crowd rushes upon him, dragging him out of the city to be stoned to death, with the witnesses removing their cloaks to facilitate the stoning and leaving them in the care of a young man named Saul.
Why were the executioners taking off their robes? It wasn't just for comfort; it was a solemn, legal requirement.
In Jewish law, witnesses to a crime, especially one punishable by death, were required to be the first to cast stones. This practice, detailed in Deuteronomy 17:7, served as a severe deterrent against false testimony. If you accused someone, you had to be prepared to actively participate in their execution. The witnesses in Stephen's stoning removed their outer garments to avoid hindrance during this grim duty. This detail highlights the perceived legality and solemnity they attached to their actions, even though it was a violent, unlawful mob execution. It also brings Saul directly into the scene, not just as an observer, but as someone responsible for their belongings, placing him firmly within the act itself.
Stephen's martyrdom marks the first appearance of Saul. What kind of man was he, and what shaped his fierce opposition?
The text introduces Saul as a 'young man' whose name will become legendary, but he's not just any bystander. He's identified as a Pharisee, a member of a devout Jewish sect known for its strict adherence to the Law. The commentaries suggest he was likely in his late twenties, deeply educated in Jewish tradition, possibly studying under the renowned teacher Gamaliel in Jerusalem. He was 'of the tribe of Benjamin,' a 'Hebrew of Hebrews,' indicating a strong commitment to his heritage. This background explains his zeal and his conviction that Stephen's teachings were a dangerous threat to Judaism. His 'whole heart was in this persecution,' showing that his actions stemmed from a deeply held, though tragically misguided, religious conviction.
Stephen was 'cast out of the city.' What does this act signify beyond a simple execution?
The act of casting Stephen out of the city before stoning him was significant. It echoed Old Testament practices, like bringing out those who cursed the Lord to be stoned outside the camp (Leviticus 24:14). This action symbolically declared Stephen an outcast, someone who had violated the sanctity of the city and its people, and therefore deserved exclusion from their community, even in death. It was a public demonstration of their rejection of him and, by extension, his message. It underscored the intense opposition and the finality of their judgment against Stephen, marking him as utterly condemned by their standards.
Understand the original words
martys · Greek Noun
A formal or informal observer of an event, whose testimony is held as valid or authoritative, especially in legal contexts regarding the truth or a crime.
Kyrios · Greek Noun
The divine name or title signifying sovereign authority, lordship, and possession. When applied to Jesus, it affirms His identity as the Messiah and God Incarnate, worthy of worship and total devotion.
pneuma · Greek Noun
The immaterial part of a human being that survives death and continues in the presence of God; it refers to the life-force or the core of the person that is ultimately entrusted to the Creator.
hamartia · Greek Noun
An offense, transgression, or missing of the mark against the moral law of God. It separates humanity from God and requires divine forgiveness or a substitutionary sacrifice for atonement.
This pivotal event marks the martyrdom of the first Christian, Stephen, and the dramatic entrance of Saul (later Paul) onto the historical stage as a fierce persecutor, setting the stage for his own radical transformation.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' ministry and crucifixion
Jesus of Nazareth carries out a public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering followers. His ministry culminates in his crucifixion in Jerusalem.
c. 30-33 AD
Early Church in Jerusalem
Following Jesus' ascension, his followers form a community in Jerusalem, praying, teaching, and experiencing the Holy Spirit's empowerment.
c. 33-34 AD
Stephen's preaching and arrest
Stephen, one of the early deacons, boldly preaches about Jesus in Jerusalem, challenging the religious authorities. He is arrested for blasphemy.
c. 34 AD— this verse
Stephen's martyrdom
Stephen is stoned to death outside Jerusalem. The witnesses to his execution, including a young man named Saul, lay down their garments.
This passage details the law requiring witnesses to cast the first stone in an execution, a practice directly relevant to the witnesses laying down their garments and Saul's implicit participation in Stephen's stoning.
Luke 24:47Jesus' words about repentance and forgiveness of sins being proclaimed in His name to all nations echo Stephen's prayer for his persecutors, highlighting a continuity of message and attitude.
Romans 8:34The affirmation that Christ is at the right hand of God interceding for us powerfully connects with Stephen's vision of Jesus standing at God's right hand, offering assurance of divine advocacy.
Philippians 3:5-6Saul's later self-description as a Pharisee zealous for the law, and his persecution of the church, directly relates to his role in Stephen's death, showing the intense opposition he represented at that time.
Hebrews 12:24This verse speaks of Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and His sprinkled blood crying out, which resonates with Stephen's martyrdom as the shedding of the first blood under the new covenant.
ellicottActs 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."
(58) And stoned him. —Literally, were stoning him. The verb is repeated in Acts 7:59 , as if to show that the shower of stones went on even during the martyr’s prayers. The witnesses laid down their clothes.—The Law required, as if to impress on witnesses their solemn responsibility, that they should be the first, if the accused were condemned to death…
barnesActs 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 cast him out of the city - This was in accordance with the usual custom. In Leviticus 24:14 , it was directed to bring forth him that had cursed without the camp; and it was not usual, the Jewish writers inform us, to stone in the presence of the Sanhedrin. Though this was a popular tumult, and Stephen was condemned without the regular process of t…
The seemingly minor detail of the witnesses laying their garments at Saul's feet reveals his significant role in this persecution; he wasn't just a bystander, but a keeper of the tools of execution, a sign of his zealous, active participation. This act also foreshadows his later, profound transformation, marking the first appearance of the man who would become the Apostle Paul.
Stephen has just finished a bold defense of his faith, accusing his Jewish accusers of always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as their ancestors had. Enraged, the crowd rushes upon him, dragging him out of the city to be stoned to death, with the witnesses removing their cloaks to facilitate the stoning and leaving them in the care of a young man named Saul.
Stephen has just finished a bold defense of his faith, accusing his Jewish accusers of always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as their ancestors had. Enraged, the crowd rushes upon him, dragging him out of the city to be stoned to death, with the witnesses removing their cloaks to facilitate the stoning and leaving them in the care of a young man named Saul.
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koimaō · Greek Verb
A common biblical euphemism for the death of a believer. It implies that death is a temporary state of rest from which the body will eventually be awakened in the resurrection.
c. 34 AD
Persecution of the Church
Following Stephen's death, a severe persecution breaks out against the Jerusalem church, scattering believers throughout Judea and Samaria.
c. 34 AD
Saul's journey to Damascus
Saul, a zealous Pharisee, obtains letters from the high priest to arrest Christians in Damascus, intending to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment.
"Then 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. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees…" — The seemingly minor detail of the witnesses laying their garments at Saul's feet reveals his significant role in this persecution; he wasn't just a bystander, but a keeper of the tools of execution,…
