Acts 8:1

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.

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

3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to 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 Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

    Read in context
  • Acts 22:20

    And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

    Read in context
  • Acts 5:40

    And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

    Read in context
  • Acts 1:8

    But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

    Read in context
  • Acts 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.

    Read in context
  • Acts 5:33

    When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

    Read in context
  • Luke 11:49–50

    Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:

    Read in context
  • Exodus 10:28–29

    And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.

    Read in context