Acts 8:2
What does Acts 8:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 8:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 8:2 means
While Saul and others persecuted the church, devout men, likely believers or sympathizers, showed respect for Stephen by giving him a proper burial. This act of lamentation for the deceased indicates their grief and solidarity, even in the face of intense opposition and personal risk. Their actions stand in stark contrast to the violence and hatred displayed by those who executed Stephen, underscoring the deep emotional and spiritual divide developing within Jerusalem.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And God-fearing men put Stephen's body in its last resting-place, making great weeping over him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and devout men carried away Stephen, and made great lamentation over him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And devout men took order for Stephen's funeral and made great mourning over him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And pious men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.
Context
This verse offers a brief pause from the escalating persecution, highlighting the human element of grief and reverence amidst turmoil. It provides a powerful counterpoint to Saul's destructive actions in the very next verse, emphasizing the contrasting responses to Stephen's death before the narrative fully shifts to the consequences of the widespread scattering.
v.1And 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.
v.2This passage
v.3But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 2:5
Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
- Numbers 20:29
And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they wept for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.
- Luke 2:25
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
- Isaiah 57:1
The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
- Genesis 23:2
And Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron), in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
- Acts 10:2
a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
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