Acts 7:58 - They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
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What does "Acts 7:58" mean?
This verse, Acts 7:58, describes part of the stoning of Stephen, a deacon in the early church, who was accused of blasphemy. Let's break down the meaning:
"They threw him out of the city...": Jewish law dictated that executions, particularly for blasphemy, were to take place outside the city walls. This was likely done to maintain a sense of ritual purity within the city limits.
"...and stoned him.": Stoning was a form of execution in ancient Jewish society, often used for crimes considered particularly egregious, like blasphemy. It involved pelting the condemned person with stones until they died.
"The witnesses...": In Jewish law, witnesses were crucial. They had to testify against the accused, and they were often the first to cast stones. This highlighted their personal involvement and accountability in the execution.
"...placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.": This is a key detail. Witnesses often removed their outer garments to have a free range of motion for throwing stones. Placing their garments at the feet of Saul (who would later become the Apostle Paul) signifies his role as a leader or authority figure in the stoning. He was taking responsibility for it. His presence and acceptance of the garments suggests he endorsed and oversaw the act.
In essence, this verse describes a violent act of religious persecution. It also introduces the figure of Saul, who is present at the scene and tacitly approves of the stoning of Stephen. This is a pivotal moment in the story, as Saul's later conversion to Christianity and transformation into the Apostle Paul is a major theme in the Book of Acts.
Acts 7:58 - They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
What does "Acts 7:58" mean?
This verse, Acts 7:58, describes part of the stoning of Stephen, a deacon in the early church, who was accused of blasphemy. Let's break down the meaning:
"They threw him out of the city...": Jewish law dictated that executions, particularly for blasphemy, were to take place outside the city walls. This was likely done to maintain a sense of ritual purity within the city limits.
"...and stoned him.": Stoning was a form of execution in ancient Jewish society, often used for crimes considered particularly egregious, like blasphemy. It involved pelting the condemned person with stones until they died.
"The witnesses...": In Jewish law, witnesses were crucial. They had to testify against the accused, and they were often the first to cast stones. This highlighted their personal involvement and accountability in the execution.
"...placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.": This is a key detail. Witnesses often removed their outer garments to have a free range of motion for throwing stones. Placing their garments at the feet of Saul (who would later become the Apostle Paul) signifies his role as a leader or authority figure in the stoning. He was taking responsibility for it. His presence and acceptance of the garments suggests he endorsed and oversaw the act.
In essence, this verse describes a violent act of religious persecution. It also introduces the figure of Saul, who is present at the scene and tacitly approves of the stoning of Stephen. This is a pivotal moment in the story, as Saul's later conversion to Christianity and transformation into the Apostle Paul is a major theme in the Book of Acts.