Acts 8:2. And devout men. In spite of the terror caused by the execution of Stephen, and the persecution which immediately followed, some pious Jews for this is probably what is meant by the term ‘devout men ‘ were found reverently to bury the martyr's disfigured body: these, though not professedly followers of Jesus, still as inquirers, had listened with admiration to the brave and eloquent deacon.

Made great lamentation over him. Chrysostom remarks that Stephen's own dying words were his noblest funeral oration: ‘Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.' There is a curious legend repeated by Baronius, that Gamaliel, as a secret Christian, gave the body of the martyred Stephen sepulture in his own villa garden, and that subsequently he was buried in the same tomb.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament