Acts 8 2

Acts 8:2 kjv

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

Acts 8:2 nkjv

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

Acts 8:2 niv

Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.

Acts 8:2 esv

Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.

Acts 8:2 nlt

(Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.)

Acts 8 verses

Acts 8 2 Meaning

Acts 8:2 describes the aftermath of Stephen's martyrdom, specifically his burial. Despite intense persecution from Saul and others, courageous "devout men" (likely believers or sympathetic pious individuals) publicly retrieved and buried Stephen's body. Their act of "great lamentation" openly displayed their profound sorrow and opposition to the unjust execution, standing in stark contrast to the approval of Stephen's stoning by many. It signified deep mourning for a righteous man and a defiant public witness in a time of great peril for the early church.

Acts 8 2 Context

This verse immediately follows Stephen's brutal stoning in Acts 7 and the declaration in Acts 8:1 that "Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death." This marked the beginning of intense, widespread persecution against the early church in Jerusalem, scattering believers throughout Judea and Samaria. Amidst this hostile environment, the public burial and lamentation for Stephen by "devout men" stands out. Jewish law (Deut 21:23) mandated swift burial, especially for those executed, to avoid defiling the land. However, publicly mourning an individual deemed a blasphemer and traitor by the authorities was a bold and potentially dangerous act of solidarity. The scene emphasizes the early church's resilience and profound commitment to their faith and each other, even in the face of death and dispersion.

Acts 8 2 Word analysis

• And (δὲ, de): A conjunction signifying a continuation or mild contrast. Here, it smoothly transitions from the violent death of Stephen to his subsequent burial, marking a natural progression in the narrative.
• devout (εὐλαβεῖς, eulabeis): Transliteration: eulabeis. Meaning: pious, reverent, careful, God-fearing, devout. This word describes men characterized by profound respect for God and religious observance. In Luke 2:25, Simeon is called eulabēs. At Pentecost (Acts 2:5), the Jews dwelling in Jerusalem are described as eulabeis. In this context, it signifies individuals (likely Christian believers or sympathetic, pious Jews) who exhibited courageous piety and spiritual reverence by openly identifying with and honoring Stephen, despite the great risk posed by Saul's intense persecution (Acts 8:1). Their devotion to God and justice outweighed their fear of human retribution.
• men (ἄνδρες, andres): Refers to male individuals. Emphasizes the public nature of the act.
• carried (ἀνέκομισαν, anekomisan): Transliteration: anekomisan. Meaning: they bore away, they carried off, they took up for burial. This implies the act of collecting and preparing the body, suggesting a reverent handling rather than a disrespectful disposal by enemies. It shows personal involvement in his burial, not just observation.
• Stephen (τὸν Στέφανον, ton Stephanos): The martyr, whose death marks a turning point for the early church. His name means "crown" or "garland," ironically reflecting his ultimate reward as a martyr (cf. Jas 1:12, Rev 2:10).
• to his burial (εἰς ταφήν, eis taphēn): Literally "for burial." Denotes the proper disposal of the body according to custom, not just removal from public view. It implies a formal interment rather than just hiding the body. This was crucial in Jewish tradition, where proper burial was a mark of respect and human dignity.
• and (καὶ, kai): A conjunction linking the act of burial with the subsequent lamentation.
• made (ἐποιήσαντο, epoiesanto): Transliteration: epoiesanto. Meaning: they made, they performed. Denotes a deliberate and active participation in the mourning ritual.
• great (μέγαν, megan): Transliteration: megan. Meaning: large, extensive, significant, loud. This adjective emphasizes the intensity, extent, and public nature of the mourning. It wasn't a quiet, private sorrow but an open display of profound grief.
• lamentation (κοπετὸν, kopeton): Transliteration: kopeton. Meaning: a beating of the breast in grief, a mourning, lamentation, wailing. This describes the deep, often audible and visible expressions of grief, typically involving weeping and rhythmic beating of the chest (a customary gesture of mourning in ancient Near Eastern cultures). The "great lamentation" underscores the sorrow and perhaps also a defiant protest against the unjust execution. It was a communal expression of loss and solidarity.
• over him (ἐπ’ αὐτῷ, ep' autō): Literally "over him." Directly associating the lamentation with Stephen, the object of their grief and respect.

Acts 8 2 Bonus section

The actions of the "devout men" in Acts 8:2 are sometimes contrasted with the minimal and unrecorded burials of other executed figures in Scripture, particularly those considered enemies of God. Stephen, despite being condemned by the Sanhedrin, received a dignified and publicly mourned burial. This suggests the high esteem in which he was held by a significant portion of the believing community, who were willing to risk their own safety to honor him. Their actions were an important display of early Christian communal care and defiance, showing that believers, even under duress, would not abandon their own, mirroring Jesus' own disciples caring for His body. This public grieving would have been especially provocative given that the very individuals celebrating Stephen's death, such as Saul, were still active in persecuting Christians. The verse highlights that the earliest church, despite its infant stage, possessed remarkable spiritual maturity and conviction, willing to suffer reproach for the sake of the Gospel and for those who embodied it.

Acts 8 2 Commentary

Acts 8:2 reveals the poignant contrast between violent persecution and faithful devotion. Stephen's public stoning, sanctioned by the Jewish authorities and supported by Saul, marked a new level of opposition against the nascent Christian movement. Yet, "devout men"—likely fellow Hellenistic believers or pious individuals who admired Stephen's righteousness—displayed immense courage by defying public sentiment and potentially exposing themselves to danger. Their act of carrying Stephen to his burial was not merely fulfilling a religious obligation (Deut 21:23) but an explicit, reverent affirmation of his person and cause.

The "great lamentation" signifies more than mere sorrow; it was a loud, public outpouring of grief, reflecting the depth of their loss and serving as a communal expression of solidarity with the martyred Stephen. In a society where public lament was a cultural norm for significant deaths, such an intense mourning for someone executed as a blasphemer was a bold counter-narrative to the prevailing official verdict. This lamentation might be interpreted as a silent protest against the injustice of Stephen's death, challenging the very accusations leveled against him. Their act stands as a testament to profound Christian love, respect, and steadfastness in the face of brutal oppression, echoing the suffering of righteous figures in the Old Testament who faced similar opposition (e.g., Abel, Uriah the prophet, Zedekiah). It demonstrates that true piety finds its expression in courageous, compassionate acts, even when the world around seeks to silence and condemn.