Acts 8:1

ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, and there arose on that day, &c. The persecution was in immediate succession to the death of Stephen. Having once proceeded to such a length, the rage of the people turned upon the whole Christian body.

ἐπὶ τὴν ἐκκλησίαν, against the Church, i.e. the congregation or community of Christians which had been formed in the city since the day of Pentecost.

πάντες δὲ διεσπάρησαν, and they were all scattered abroad. Thus the rage of their enemies brought about the dispersion which Christ had foretold (Acts 1:8). On this Chrysostom remarks οὐκ ἄρα μάτην ἔλεγον ὄτι οἰκονομίας ὁ διωγμὸς ἦν, εἰ μὴ γὰρ γέγονεν οὐκ ἂν οἱ μαθηταὶ διεσπάρησαν.

By the word πάντες we need not understand every member of the Christian body, but only those who had been most active, and so were in special danger from the persecution. We find (Acts 8:3) that there were many left, both men and women, in the city, whom Saul seized upon as ‘disciples of the Lord’ and carried to prison. Perhaps Ananias who visited Paul at Damascus (Acts 9:19; Acts 9:25) may have been among those now scattered abroad, but see Acts 9:2 note.

τῆς Ἰουδαίας καὶ Σαμαρείας, of Judæa and Samaria, According to the order of extension indicated by Jesus. The teaching of the Apostles must have been with great power to break through the long-standing prejudices of their Jewish converts against the Samaritans. On these prejudices it is enough to refer to John 4.

πλὴν τῶν�, except the Apostles, Jerusalem would of necessity be looked upon as the headquarters of the Christian band. Thither all the wanderers would refer for guidance and help. The Twelve therefore must remain at their post, in spite of all the persecution.