Acts 8:1
What does Acts 8:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 8:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 8:1 means
This verse marks a significant turning point: Saul, the future Apostle Paul, actively endorsed Stephen's execution, signaling his zealous opposition to the nascent Christian movement. This event triggered widespread persecution against the Jerusalem church, forcing believers to flee their homes. However, this dispersion, though born of suffering, providentially fulfilled Christ's command for the Gospel to spread beyond Jerusalem, driving the early church into the wider regions of Judea and Samaria. The apostles, perhaps protected by divine providence or strategic necessity, remained in Jerusalem, serving as the central hub for the scattered church.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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 Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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 Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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 Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Saul gave approval to his death. Now at that time a violent attack was started against the church in Jerusalem; and all but the Apostles went away into all parts of Judaea and Samaria.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Saul was assenting to his death, and there came in that day a great persecution upon the assembly in Jerusalem, all also were scattered abroad in the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And at that time, there was raised a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem. And they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea, and Samaria, except the apostles.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And 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.
Context
This verse directly follows the martyrdom of Stephen at the end of Chapter 7, which was the catalyst for the intense persecution. It sets the stage for the geographic expansion of the Christian faith, as believers are scattered. This scattering immediately leads into the subsequent verses detailing Philip's ministry in Samaria, showing how adversity propelled the Gospel forward.
v.1This passage
v.2And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 5:18
and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.
- John 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.
- Acts 11:19
They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews.
- Acts 7:54
Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
- John 4:39
And from that city many of the Samaritans believed on him because of the word of the woman, who testified, He told me all things thateverI did.
- Daniel 3:16
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter.
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