Acts 7:58
What does Acts 7:58 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 7:58 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 7:58 means
They cast Stephen out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. Stephen’s death follows the pattern of righteous sufferers driven outside and executed. The detail about Saul introduces a figure who will later become a chief apostle, showing how God weaves redemption even through tragedy. Laying garments at Saul’s feet implies his approval and authority in the act. The scene is stark: a faithful witness, expelled and killed by those entrusted to judge justly. Yet even here, God is at work, planting seeds that will later blossom in the conversion of Saul and the spread of the gospel.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Driving him out of the town and stoning him: and the witnesses put their clothing at the feet of a young man named Saul.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having cast him forth outside of the city, they were stoning <FI>him<Fi> --and the witnesses did put down their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul--
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they stoned Stephen, invoking and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and having cast [him] out of the city, they stoned [him]. And the witnesses laid aside their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul.
Context
The mob carries out the sentence by stoning Stephen outside the city. The mention of Saul places this event within the larger story of Acts, anticipating his future role. Next, verse 59 will focus on Stephen’s prayer to the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit, and verse 60 on his intercession for his killers and peaceful death. These closing verses will highlight Stephen’s Christlike spirit and faith at the moment of martyrdom.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 15:35
And Jehovah said unto Moses, The man shall surely be put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
- Acts 22:20
and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.
- Acts 9:1
But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
- Luke 4:29
and they rose up, and cast him forth out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might throw him down headlong.
- John 10:23
it was winter; and Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
- Acts 6:11
Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
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