Acts 8:1

And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

2 God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.

3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
KJV
And 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 Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.
WEB
Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
ASV
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
DARBY
And Saul was consenting to his being killed. And on that day there arose a great persecution against the assembly which was in Jerusalem, and all were scattered into the countries of Judaea and Samaria except the apostles.
BLB
And Saul was there consenting to his killing. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church that [was] in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.
ÅB
Og Saulus samtykte i mordet på ham. Men på den dag ble det en stor forfølgelse mot menigheten i Jerusalem, og de ble alle adspredt over Judeas og Samarias land, undtagen apostlene.
OTB
Og Saulus samtykket i hans død. Den dagen oppsto det en hard forfølgelse mot menigheten i Jerusalem, og alle unntatt apostlene ble spredt rundt i områdene Judea og Samaria.
B1930
Og Saulus samtykte i mordet på ham. Men på den dag blev det en stor forfølgelse mot menigheten i Jerusalem, og de blev alle adspredt over Judeas og Samarias land, undtagen apostlene.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Daniel 3:16–18

    Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

    Read in context
  • Acts 22:20

    And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

    Read in context
  • Acts 5:40

    At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.

    Read in context
  • Acts 1:8

    But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

    Read in context
  • Acts 7:58

    They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

    Read in context
  • Acts 5:33

    When the Council members heard this, they were enraged, and they resolved to put the apostles to death.

    Read in context
  • Luke 11:49–50

    Because of this, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and others they will persecute.’

    Read in context
  • Exodus 10:28–29

    “Depart from me!” Pharaoh said to Moses. “Make sure you never see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you will die.”

    Read in context