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

Saul’s intense persecution of the early church, which included arresting and mistreating believers, led to widespread fear and scattering among the disciples in Jerusalem. This verse highlights the intense pressure faced by the nascent Christian community, causing them to flee their home city and spread the Gospel to other regions.

Acts 8 2 Context

Following the martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, a wave of severe persecution swept through Jerusalem. Saul of Tarsus, a zealous Pharisee, was instrumental in this oppressive campaign, actively participating in the arrest and imprisonment of many believers. This verse specifically details the outcome of that intense persecution: a significant scattering of Jesus’ followers across Judea and Samaria, as well as to other distant lands. Despite the harsh opposition, this scattering ultimately served to broaden the reach of the Gospel message, fulfilling Jesus' Great Commission.

Acts 8 2 Word Analysis

• “And” (καί, kai): A coordinating conjunction, linking this verse to the previous events and emphasizing the direct consequence of the intensified persecution.
• “there arose” (ἐγένετο, egeneto): A common passive verb in Greek, meaning "it came to pass" or "there occurred." It signifies the commencement and unfolding of a significant event.
• “a great” (μεγάλη, megale): Adjective emphasizing the severity and widespread nature of the persecution that ensued.
• “persecution” (διωγμὸς, diōgmos): This Greek noun signifies "pursuit," "chase," or "persecution," often with violent intent. It directly points to the active, oppressive actions taken against the disciples. It implies not just ideological opposition, but physical harm and suffering.
• “against” (κατά, kata): A preposition indicating opposition or action directed towards something.
• “the church” (τῆς ἐκκλησίας, tēs ekklēsias): The community of believers, the body of Christ. Here it refers specifically to the Christian community in Jerusalem. The word "ekklesia" means "called out" or "assembly."
• “in” (ἐν, en): Preposition indicating location.
• “Jerusalem” (Ἱεροσολύμοις, Hierosolyemois): The holy city, the center of Jewish religious and political life, where the early church was founded.
• “and” (καί, kai): Another coordinating conjunction.
• “all” (πάντες, pantes): Denoting totality, indicating that the impact was far-reaching.
• “except” (πλην, plēn): Except, save for, but. This highlights that while many were scattered, some remained.
• “the apostles” (οἱ ἀπόστολοι, hoi apostoloi): The specially chosen and commissioned witnesses and messengers of Christ, particularly the twelve. Their continued presence in Jerusalem is noteworthy.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• “And there arose a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem”: This phrase establishes the direct causality between the events following Stephen’s martyrdom and the ensuing suffering of the believers. The "great persecution" was not a minor incident but a major crisis for the church.
• “and all were scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”: This clause details the immediate and physical impact of the persecution. The scattering was a natural response to threat, driven by a desire for self-preservation and a practical understanding of Jesus' earlier instructions to flee when persecuted (Matthew 10:23). The exception of the apostles suggests either a specific targeting of others or a protective instinct by the apostles, or possibly divine preservation for their continued leadership and witness in the core community.

Acts 8 2 Bonus Section

This event is often referred to as the "First Great Persecution" of the early church. Saul's personal involvement as detailed here is further elaborated in his own testimony in Acts 22:4 and Acts 26:10-11, where he describes binding and imprisoning both men and women who followed "the Way." The "Way" (ἡ ὁδὸς, hē hodos) was an early designation for the Christian faith, emphasizing the path of discipleship and adherence to Christ's teachings. The intentional targeting of the church highlights the perceived threat it posed to the established Jewish order. The subsequent spread of the Gospel to Samaria is particularly significant, as Samaritans were viewed with hostility by Jews, demonstrating the breaking down of social and religious barriers through the unified experience of faith and persecution.

Acts 8 2 Commentary

The scattering of believers due to persecution, while intended to destroy the church, paradoxically served as the catalyst for its expansion. This mirrors a recurring theme in biblical history where hardship leads to growth and witness. The fear that gripped Jerusalem, driving disciples out, ironically became the very engine for the Gospel’s spread beyond its original geographic boundaries. The apostles remaining in Jerusalem suggests their pivotal role in maintaining the core foundation of the church and potentially coordinating efforts for those who were scattered. This verse underscores that even in moments of intense opposition, God’s plan often prevails through seemingly negative circumstances, leading to wider proclamation.