Acts 7:58
New International Version
dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

New Living Translation
and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.

English Standard Version
Then 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.

Berean Standard Bible
They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Berean Literal Bible
and having cast him out of the city, began to stone him. And the witnesses laid aside their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

New American Standard Bible
When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.

NASB 1995
When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

NASB 1977
And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Legacy Standard Bible
And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Amplified Bible
Then they drove him out of the city and began stoning him; and the witnesses placed their outer robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Christian Standard Bible
They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They threw him out of the city and began to stone him. And the witnesses laid their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

American Standard Version
and 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.

Contemporary English Version
and dragged him out of the city. Then they started throwing stones at him. The men who had brought charges against him put their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

English Revised Version
and 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and after they had thrown him out of the city, they began to stone him to death. The witnesses left their coats with a young man named Saul.

Good News Translation
threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses left their cloaks in the care of a young man named Saul.

International Standard Version
ran him outside of the city, and began to stone him to death. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Majority Standard Bible
They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

NET Bible
When they had driven him out of the city, they began to stone him, and the witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.

New Heart English Bible
They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
dragged him out of the city, and stoned him, the witnesses throwing off their outer garments and giving them into the care of a young man called Saul.

World English Bible
They threw him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having cast him forth outside of the city, they were stoning [him]—and the witnesses put down their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul—

Berean Literal Bible
and having cast him out of the city, began to stone him. And the witnesses laid aside their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Young's Literal Translation
and having cast him forth outside of the city, they were stoning him -- and the witnesses did put down their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul --

Smith's Literal Translation
And having cast out of the city, they stoned: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they stoned Stephen, invoking, and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And driving him out, beyond the city, they stoned him. And witnesses placed their garments beside the feet of a youth, who was called Saul.

New American Bible
They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.

New Revised Standard Version
Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they seized him and took him outside the city and began to stone him. Those who testified against him placed their clothes under the care of a young man called Saul.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they seized and brought him outside the city, and they were stoning him, and those who testified against him placed their robes at the feet of a young man, one who is called Shaul.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and drove him out of the city, and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul.

Godbey New Testament
and casting him out from the city, they began to stone him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, called Saul:

Haweis New Testament
and dragging him out of the city, stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, named Saul.

Mace New Testament
then they dragg'd him out of the city, and stoned him: the false witnesses having laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

Weymouth New Testament
dragged him out of the city, and stoned him, the witnesses throwing off their outer garments and giving them into the care of a young man called Saul.

Worrell New Testament
and, having thrust him forth outside of the city, they kept stoning him! And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul.

Worsley New Testament
and cast him out of the city and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Stoning of Stephen
57At this they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him. 58 They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”…

Cross References
Acts 8:1
And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Acts 22:20
And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

Acts 9:1-2
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest / and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

Acts 26:10
And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them.

Acts 22:4
I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison,

Acts 8:3
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 9:13-14
But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. / And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”

Acts 26:9-11
So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. / And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. / I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

Acts 22:19
‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You.

Acts 9:21
All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”

Acts 22:3
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.

Acts 26:14
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

Acts 9:5
“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.

Acts 22:7
I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’

Acts 26:15
‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

cast.

Numbers 15:35
And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

1 Kings 21:13
And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

Luke 4:29
And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

stoned.

Acts 6:11
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

Leviticus 24:14-16
Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him…

John 10:23-26
And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch…

the witnesses.

Acts 6:13
And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

Deuteronomy 13:9,10
But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people…

Deuteronomy 17:7
The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.

their.

Acts 8:1
And 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 Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 22:20
And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

Acts 9:1
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

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Care Cast City Clothes Clothing Dragged Driven Driving Feet Forth Garments Laid Outer Outside Placed Saul Stone Stoned Stoning Threw Throwing Witnesses Young
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Acts 7
1. Stephen, permitted to answer to the accusation of blasphemy,
2. shows that Abraham worshipped God rightly, and how God chose the fathers,
20. before Moses was born, and before the tabernacle and temple were built;
37. that Moses himself witnessed of Christ;
44. and that all outward ceremonies were ordained to last but for a time;
51. reprehending their rebellion, and murdering of Christ, whom the prophets foretold.
54. Whereupon they stone Stephen to death,
59. who commends his soul to Jesus, and humbly prays for them.














They dragged him out of the city
This phrase indicates the violent and forceful removal of Stephen from the city, which is consistent with the Jewish custom of executing someone outside the city limits, as seen in Leviticus 24:14. The Greek word used here, "ἐξέβαλον" (exebalon), suggests a forceful expulsion, emphasizing the hostility and urgency of the mob. Historically, this act reflects the Jewish leaders' adherence to the law, even in their anger, as executions were not to defile the city. This moment also foreshadows the treatment of Jesus, who was crucified outside Jerusalem, drawing a parallel between Stephen's martyrdom and Christ's sacrifice.

and began to stone him
Stoning was a common method of execution for blasphemy under Jewish law, as prescribed in Deuteronomy 17:7. The Greek word "λιθοβολεῖν" (lithobolein) means to throw stones, indicating a communal act of judgment and punishment. This method was not only a means of execution but also a public declaration of the community's rejection of the accused. The act of stoning Stephen marks him as the first Christian martyr, setting a precedent for the persecution of early Christians and highlighting the cost of discipleship.

Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their garments
The "witnesses" here refers to those who testified against Stephen, as required by Jewish law, which stated that the witnesses of a crime should be the first to act in the execution (Deuteronomy 17:7). The Greek term "μάρτυρες" (martyres) is significant, as it later evolves to mean "martyrs," those who bear witness to their faith through suffering or death. Laying their garments down was a practical act to avoid soiling their clothes during the stoning, but it also symbolically represents their role in the execution, as they prepare to cast the first stones.

at the feet of a young man named Saul
This introduction of Saul, who later becomes the Apostle Paul, is pivotal. The Greek word "νεανίου" (neaniou) indicates a young man, suggesting Saul's potential and the beginning of his significant role in the early church. Saul's presence and approval of Stephen's execution highlight the initial opposition to the Christian movement from within Judaism. This moment marks the beginning of Saul's journey from a persecutor of Christians to one of the most influential apostles, illustrating the transformative power of God's grace. Saul's later conversion becomes a powerful testimony to the redemptive possibilities within God's plan.

(58) And stoned him.--Literally, were stoning him. The verb is repeated in Acts 7:59, as if to show that the shower of stones went on even during the martyr's prayers.

The witnesses laid down their clothes.--The Law required, as if to impress on witnesses their solemn responsibility, that they should be the first, if the accused were condemned to death, to take part in his execution (Deuteronomy 17:7). Our Lord, it will be remembered, had applied the rule in the case of the woman taken in adultery (John 8:7). The loose, flowing cloak, which was worn as an outer garment, would have impeded the free action of their arms, and had therefore to be laid on one side.

A young man's feet, whose name was Saul.--As defined by Philo, on the authority of medical writers, the term thus used extended from twenty-one to twenty-eight years of age. Looking to the prominent position taken by Saul in this matter, and to his description of himself as "Paul the aged," A.D. 64 (Philemon 1:9), it will be safe to assume that he had nearly attained the later limit. It will be convenient on this his first appearance to put together the chief facts of his life up to this period. He was of the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5), and had been named after its great hero-king. His father had obtained, perhaps as a freed-man, after a time of slavery at Rome, the privilege of Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28). He had settled at Tarsus. The absence of any reference to him or to the Apostle's mother makes it probable that they were both dead before he appears on the scene. The son of a married sister is found, apparently residing in Jerusalem, in Acts 23:16. At Tarsus the boy would probably receive a two-fold education, instructed at home in the Holy Scriptures daily, and in Greek literature and philosophy in the schools for which the city was famous. Traces of the knowledge thus acquired are found in his quotations from the Cilician poet Aratus (see Note on Acts 17:28), Menander (see 1Corinthians 15:33), Epimenides (see Titus 1:12), and the Festival Hymn quoted by him at Lystra (see Note on Acts 14:17). At twelve he would become a child of the Law (see Note on Luke 2:42); and showing great devotion to the studies which thus opened on him, was probably dedicated by his parents to the calling of a scribe. This, however, did not involve the abandonment of secular occupation; and after some years spent in Jerusalem, studying under Gamaliel (we may say, with almost absolute certainty, before the commencement of our Lord's ministry), he returned to his native city, and became a "tent-maker" (Acts 18:3)--a manufacturer, i.e., of the coarse goats' hair sail-cloth, for which Cilicia was famous. There seems reason to believe that somewhere about this time he became acquainted with Barnabas (see Note on Acts 4:36), and possibly also with St. Luke (see Note on Acts 13:1; Acts 16:10, and Introduction to St. Luke's Gospel). In the interval between the Ascension and the appointment of the Seven Deacons, he came up to Jerusalem. He finds a new sect, as it would seem, added to the three--the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes--whom he had known before. In some respects their teaching is such as Hillel, the grandfather of Gamaliel, would have approved. They pray and fast, and give alms. They proclaim a resurrection and a judgment after death. They connect that proclamation with the belief that a teacher of Nazareth, who had died a malefactor's death, was the long-expected Messiah. What is he to think of these startling claims? What were others thinking? Gamaliel, his master, counselled caution and a policy of expectation (Acts 5:35-39); Barnabas, his early friend, had joined the new society (Acts 4:36); Andronicus and Junias, his kinsmen, had followed the example (Romans 16:7). But Saul had a zeal which was more fiery than theirs. He was a Pharisee after the straitest sect, and the teaching of Stephen, more conspicuously, it would seem, than that of Peter, was a protest against Pharisaism, and told of its coming downfall. He, therefore, could make no truce with that teaching, and burst impatiently from the cautions of his master. For good or for evil, he was at least "thorough," and had the courage of his convictions. Even the face as of an angel and the words of ecstatic joy did but kindle in him the fire of a burning indignation. . . .

Verse 58. - They cast for cast, A.V. ; garments for clothes, A.V.; the feet of a young man for a young man's feet, A.V.; named Saul for whose name was Saul, A.V. They cast. We have here the identical phrase of Luke 4:29. The witness. According to Deuteronomy 17:7, "the hands of the witnesses were to be first upon" the idolater "to put him to death." They took off their clothes, their outer garments, so as to be free to hurl the stones at their victim with greater force. The feet of a young man. The word νεανίας is found only here and in Acts 20:9; Acts 23:17, 18, 22; and frequently in the LXX. for the Hebrew נַעִר. A man might be called a νεανίας probably to the age of thirty. This appearance of Saul upon the stage of St. Luke's narrative is an element which will soon change the whole current of the narrative, and divert it from Jerusalem to the whole earth. Nothing can be more striking than this introduction of the young man Saul to our view as an accomplice (albeit "ignorantly in unbelief") in the martyrdom of Stephen. Who that stood there and saw him keeping the clothes of the witnesses would have imagined that he would become the foremost apostle of the faith which he sought to destroy from off the face of the earth?

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They dragged [him]
ἐκβαλόντες (ekbalontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1544: To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.

out of
ἔξω (exō)
Preposition
Strong's 1854: Without, outside. Adverb from ek; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

city
πόλεως (poleōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

[and] began to stone [him].
ἐλιθοβόλουν (elithoboloun)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3036: To stone, cast stones (at), kill by stoning. From a compound of lithos and ballo; to throw stones, i.e. Lapidate.

Meanwhile,
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

witnesses
μάρτυρες (martyres)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3144: A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a 'martyr'.

laid
ἀπέθεντο (apethento)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 659: To lay off or aside, renounce, stow away, put. From apo and tithemi; to put away.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

garments
ἱμάτια (himatia)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2440: A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.

at
παρὰ (para)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

feet
πόδας (podas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4228: The foot. A primary word; a 'foot'.

of a young man
νεανίου (neaniou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3494: A young man, youth; a man in his prime (used even of a man of 40). From a derivative of neos; a youth.

named
καλουμένου (kaloumenou)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

Saul.
Σαύλου (Saulou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4569: Saul, the apostle. Of Hebrew origin, the same as Saoul; Saulus, the Jewish name of Paul.


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NT Apostles: Acts 7:58 They threw him out of the city (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 7:57
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