Act 8:1 | RWP | e4.org | Was consenting ( ην συνευδοκων ). Periphrastic imperfect of συνευδοκεω , a late double compound ( συν, ευ, δοκεω ) that well describes Saul's pleasure in the death ( αναιρεσις , taking off, only here in the N.T., though old word) of Stephen. For the verb see on . Paul himself will later confess that he felt so ( ), coolly applauding the murder of Stephen, a heinous sin ( ). It is a gruesome picture. Chapter 7 should have ended here. On that day ( εν εκεινη τη ημερα ). On that definite day, that same day as in . A great persecution ( διωγμος μεγας ). It was at first persecution from the Sadducees, but this attack on Stephen was from the Pharisees so that both parties are now united in a general persecution that deserves the adjective "great." See on for the old word διωγμος from διωκω , to chase, hunt, pursue, persecute. Were all scattered abroad ( παντες διεσπαρησαν ). Second aorist passive indicative of διασπειρω , to scatter like grain, to disperse, old word, in the N.T. only in , ; . Except the apostles ( πλην των αποστολων ). Preposition πλην (adverb from πλεον , more) with the ablative often in Luke. It remains a bit of a puzzle why the Pharisees spared the apostles. Was it due to the advice of Gamaliel in ? Or was it the courage of the apostles? Or was it a combination of both with the popularity of the apostles in addition?

‏ Acts 8:1

Was consenting ( ην συνευδοκων ). Periphrastic imperfect of συνευδοκεω, a late double compound ( συν, ευ, δοκεω ) that well describes Saul's pleasure in the death ( αναιρεσις, taking off, only here in the N.T., though old word) of Stephen. For the verb see on Lu 23:32. Paul himself will later confess that he felt so (Ac 22:20), coolly applauding the murder of Stephen, a heinous sin (Ro 1:32). It is a gruesome picture. Chapter 7 should have ended here.

On that day ( εν εκεινη τη ημερα ). On that definite day, that same day as in 2:41.

A great persecution ( διωγμος μεγας ). It was at first persecution from the Sadducees, but this attack on Stephen was from the Pharisees so that both parties are now united in a general persecution that deserves the adjective "great." See on Mt 13:21 for the old word διωγμος from διωκω, to chase, hunt, pursue, persecute.

Were all scattered abroad ( παντες διεσπαρησαν ). Second aorist passive indicative of διασπειρω, to scatter like grain, to disperse, old word, in the N.T. only in Ac 8:1, 4; 11:19.

Except the apostles ( πλην των αποστολων ). Preposition πλην (adverb from πλεον, more) with the ablative often in Luke. It remains a bit of a puzzle why the Pharisees spared the apostles. Was it due to the advice of Gamaliel in Ac 5:34-40? Or was it the courage of the apostles? Or was it a combination of both with the popularity of the apostles in addition?