MPV Commentary

Persecution Continued, in Which Saul Takes a Prominent Role

Saul was fully in agreement with their decision to kill Stephen (1). The leading Christians, including the preachers, were scattered throughout the region as Jesus had instructed them (Matthew 10:23), although some may have remained or returned later. Only the apostles stayed behind, risking danger to care for the young church.

Among those who fled were devout men, likely Jewish followers of Stephen who admired him and secretly sympathized with Christianity but had not yet openly declared their faith (2).

Saul's actions became increasingly aggressive as he entered homes, dragging out men and women to be arrested (3). His later confessions reveal the extent of his persecution (Acts 22:4; 26:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Philippians 3:6; 1 Timothy 1:13).

The scattered believers, however, continued to preach the gospel wherever they went (4). Despite Jesus' instructions to remain in Jerusalem and spread the message there (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8), persecution drove them out. This pattern has repeated itself throughout history, as the enemies of Christ have inadvertently furthered the spread of the gospel (Philippians 1:12-13).