Acts 7:58 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →They drove Stephen out of the city and stoned him, and the witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
What Does Acts 7:58 Mean?
The execution follows the ancient form: outside the city, the witnesses acting first (Leviticus 24:14). Jesus too suffered outside the gate (Hebrews 13:12). At the edge of the scene stands a young man from Tarsus, minding the coats.
No reader of Acts can miss the seed planted here: the young man named Saul will become the apostle Paul. Grace was already nearer than anyone could guess. The blood of the faithful witness is never wasted, and no persecutor is beyond the reach of the Lord he opposes.
Acts 7:58 in the Original Language
martys (μάρτυς), 'witness' -- one who testifies; the word that later gave us martyr.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 7:58
What does Acts 7:58 mean?
They drove Stephen out of the city and stoned him, and the witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.