King James Version

What Does Acts 8:1 Mean?

Acts 8:1 in the King James Version says “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at J...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

Acts 8:1 · King James Version


Context

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 Judaea 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.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Saul's consenting to Stephen's death reveals his complicity in the first Christian martyrdom, setting the stage for his dramatic conversion. The 'great persecution' scattered believers 'except the apostles' - showing God's providence in spreading the gospel beyond Jerusalem. What Satan meant for evil (persecution), God used for good (gospel advancement). Reformed theology sees God's sovereignty over human evil: persecution accomplishes God's purposes despite persecutors' intentions. The church's scattering fulfilled Jesus' commission to be witnesses 'in Judaea, and in Samaria' (Acts 1:8).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This persecution began circa AD 33-35, shortly after Pentecost. The scattering into Judea and Samaria was the first major geographical expansion of the church beyond Jerusalem's 3,000-5,000 believers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use persecution and suffering to accomplish His purposes?
  2. Why did the apostles remain in Jerusalem while others scattered?
  3. What does this teach about God's sovereignty over human opposition to His gospel?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Greek · 34 words
Σαῦλος1 of 34

“Saul”

G4569

saulus (i.e., shaul), the jewish name of paul

δὲ2 of 34

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἦν3 of 34

“was”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

συνευδοκῶν4 of 34

“consenting”

G4909

to think well of in common, i.e., assent to, feel gratified with

τῶν5 of 34

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀναιρέσει6 of 34

“death”

G336

(the act of) killing

αὐτοῦ7 of 34

“unto his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἐγένετο8 of 34

“there was”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

δὲ9 of 34

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐν10 of 34

“at”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐκείνῃ11 of 34

“that”

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

τῶν12 of 34

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμέρᾳ13 of 34

“time”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

διωγμὸς14 of 34

“persecution”

G1375

persecution

μέγας15 of 34

“a great”

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

ἐπὶ16 of 34

“against”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῶν17 of 34

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐκκλησίαν18 of 34

“the church”

G1577

a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth

τῶν19 of 34

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν20 of 34

“at”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Ἱεροσολύμοις21 of 34

“Jerusalem”

G2414

hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine

πάντες22 of 34

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τε23 of 34

“and”

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

διεσπάρησαν24 of 34

“scattered abroad”

G1289

to sow throughout, i.e., (figuratively) distribute in foreign lands

κατὰ25 of 34

“throughout”

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

τῶν26 of 34

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χώρας27 of 34

“the regions”

G5561

room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)

τῶν28 of 34

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίας29 of 34

“of Judaea”

G2449

the judaean land (i.e., judaea), a region of palestine

καὶ30 of 34

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Σαμαρείας31 of 34

“Samaria”

G4540

samaria (i.e., shomeron), a city and region of palestine

πλὴν32 of 34

“except”

G4133

moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet

τῶν33 of 34

“which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀποστόλων34 of 34

“the apostles”

G652

a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the gospel; officially a commissioner of christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 8:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 8:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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