Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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.
20. thy martyr Stephen ] Better, “Stephen, thy witness.” The Greek word had not yet come to be applied as it afterwards was to those Christians who bore witness to the truth by their death.
and consenting unto his death ] The oldest authorities omit the last three words, which are added to bring the phrase into exact accord with Act 8:1.
kept the raiment ] cp. Act 7:58.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed – See Act 7:58; Act 8:1.
I also was standing by – Act 7:58.
And consenting unto his death – Act 8:1.
And kept the raiment – The outer robes or garments, which were usually laid aside when they engaged in running or labor. See Act 7:58. All this showed that, though Paul was not engaged in stoning Stephen, yet he was with them in spirit, and fully accorded with what they did. These circumstances are mentioned here by him as reasons why he knew that he would not be received by Christians as one of their number, and why it was necessary, therefore, for him to turn to the Gentile world.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 20. When the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed] See Clarke on Ac 7:58; and See Clarke on Ac 8:1. All these things Paul alleged as reasons why he could not expect to be received by the Christians; for how could they suppose that such a persecutor could be converted?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Martyr is a Greek word, that signifies a witness; and is here, and since by the ecclesiastical writers, appropriated unto such as suffer death for the testimony they give to the truths of God, or doctrine of the gospel.
Consenting unto his death; as Act 8:1.
Of them that slew him; that is, of the witnesses against Stephen, as Act 7:58. For the witnesses did slay him not only by the testimony which they gave against him, but they were to be the first who stoned him.
Slew him; or murdered him.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed,…. Stephen was a martyr for Christ, both by confession with his mouth, and by the effusion of his blood; he was the proto-martyr, or “the first martyr” that suffered for Christ; and there are copies, as one of Stephens’s, and the Complutensian edition, which so read in this place; his blood was shed by stoning:
I also was standing by; to see the inhuman action performed; nor was he an idle and indifferent spectator:
and consenting unto his death; being pleased and delighted with it, and rejoicing at it; see Ac 8:1.
and kept the raiment of them that slew him; the accusers of him, and witnesses against him, whose hands were first on him, and cast the first stones at him, and continued to stone him, until they killed him: these laid their garments at the feet of Saul, who looked after them, that nobody stole them, and run away with them, whilst they were stoning Stephen; which shows how disposed he was to that fact, and how much he approved of it: and these things he mentions to suggest that surely the Jews would receive his testimony, since they knew what a bitter enemy he had been to this way: and therefore might conclude, that he must have some very good and strong reasons, which had prevailed upon him to embrace this religion against all his prejudices, and so might be willing to hear them; and it also shows what an affection the apostle had for the Jews, and how much he desired their spiritual welfare, for which reason he chose to have stayed, and preached among them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Was shed (). Imperfect passive of (see on Mt 23:35), was being shed.
Witness (). And “martyr” also as in Rev 2:13; Rev 17:6. Transition state for the word here.
I also was standing by ( ). Periphrastic second past perfect in form, but imperfect (linear) in sense since = (intransitive).
Consenting (). The very word used by Luke in Ac 8:1 about Paul. Koine word for being pleased at the same time with (cf. Lu 11:48). Paul adds here the item of “guarding the clothes of those who were slaying ( as in Luke 23:32; Acts 12:2) him” (Stephen). Paul recalls the very words of protest used by him to Jesus. He did not like the idea of running away to save his own life right where he had helped slay Stephen. He is getting on dangerous ground.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Martyr. Better, as Rev., witness. The special sense of the word was probably not in use at this time. See on ch. Act 1:22. It occurs, however, in Rev 2:13; Rev 17:6.
Standing by. See on verse 13.
Consenting [] . See on allow, Luk 11:48; and compare Act 8:1.
Slew. See on Luk 23:32.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And when the blood,” (kai hote to haima) “And at the time the blood,” the very life of Stephen, a devout man of God, was being shed.
2) “Of thy martyr Stephen was shed,” (eksechunneto Stephanou tou marturossou)”Of Stephen thy martyr was being shed,” when-or as he was being stoned, Act 7:59. He was a martyr because he willingly witnessed “unto death” for his Lord, Rev 2:10.
3) “I also was standing by, ‘(kai autos hemen ephestos) “I also myself was standing by in person,” among the scoffers and ungodly, those who opposed Jesus Christ, Psa 11:1-7; Act 7:58.
4) “And consenting unto his death,” (kai suneudokon) “And consenting,” giving approval with my presence, Act 8:1.
5) “And kept the raiment of them that slew him.” (kai phulasson ta himatia ton anairouton auton) “And keeping guard over the garments of those who were killing or executing him,” by stoning life from his body; Under Jewish law the stoning was because one had been judged to be a capitol criminal, and all present were to join in the execution, Deu 13:9; Deu 17:7; Heb 13:12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(20) When the blood of thy martyr Stephen . . . .Better, thy witness. The English word is, perhaps, a little too definite and technical, and fails to remind us, as the Greek does, that the same word had been used in Act. 22:15 as expressing the office to which St. Paul himself was called. He probably used the Aramaic word Edh, of which the Greek martus (witness, and, in ecclesiastical Greek, martyr) was the natural equivalent.
Consenting unto his death.The self-same word is used as in Act. 8:1, not, we may believe, without the feeling which the speaker had lately expressed in Rom. 1:32, that that state of mind involved a greater guilt than those who had been acting blindly,almost in what John Huss called the sancta simplicitas of devout ignorancein the passionate heat of fanaticism. The words unto his death are wanting in the best MSS., but are obviously implied.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. Thy martyr The English word martyr is pure Greek, and signifies witness; being the same word as is used in Act 22:15. But the word was early and beautifully consecrated to designate those who witnessed to Jesus with their blood; as the word confessor designated those who maintained fast faith through a persecution which they survived. The Greek word for witness is properly rendered in Rev 17:6, “the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” One of the apostolic fathers, Clement of Rome, says of Peter, “Being martyred, he went to his due peace of glory.”
This reference to Stephen must have thrilled the heart of Paul himself with emotion at the recollection of his own share in that deed of blood with some of his murderers now present, and ready to inflict upon himself the same doom.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
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.
Ver. 20. When the blood of thy martyr ] An honour not afforded to any angel in heaven, said Father Latimer. God forgive me mine unthankfulness, said Bradford, for this, that I must die a martyr, that Christ will be magnified in my mortal body, whether it be by life or by death. Stephen, Christ’s proto-martyr! Antipas, my faithful martyr! what a high style is this! Ignatius professed that he would rather he a martyr than a monarch. He called his bonds his spiritual pearls, and triumphed in his voyage to Rome to suffer, to think that his blood should be found among the mighty worthies, such as Abel, Stephen, Antipas, &c. a
a
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
20. ] “E. V. ‘ thy martyr ,’ following Beza: Vulg., and Erasm, testis tui . The Apostle may have here used the (Hebrew, , as Wordsworth) word in its strict primary sense; for a view of Christ in His glory was vouchsafed to Stephen, and it was by bearing witness of that manifestation that he hastened his death (ch. Act 7:55 ff.). The present meaning of the word martyr did, however, become attached to it at a very early period, and is apparently of apostolic authority: e.g. Rev 17:6 , and Clem. Rom [147] 1Co 5 , p. 217 (cited in note on ch. Act 1:25 ). The transition from the first to the secondary sense may be easily accounted for. Many who had only seen with the eye of faith, suffered persecution and death as a proof of their sincerity. For such constancy the Greek had no adequate term. It was necessary for the Christians to provide one. None was more appropriate than , seeing what had been the fate of those whom Christ had appointed to be His witnesses (ch. Act 1:8 ). They almost all suffered: hence to witness became a synonym for to suffer ; while the suffering was in itself a kind of testimony.” (Mr. Humphry.) Bp. Wordsworth well designates this introduction of the name of Stephen “A noble endeavour to make public reparation for a public sin, by public confession in the same place where the sin was committed.”
[147] Rom. Clement, Bp. of Rome, 91 101
] I myself also.
Act 22:20 . . : he identifies himself with Stephen, his testimony like that of the martyr is borne to Christ; on the word see p. 67; the term is here in a transition stage from “witness” to “martyr,” cf. also Rev 17:6 : Hackett quotes the Christians of Lyons, towards the close of the second century, refusing to be called “martyrs” because such an honourable name only belonged to the true and faithful Witness, or to those who had sealed their testimony by constancy to the end, and they feared lest they should waver: Euseb., Hist. , v., 2. , cf. Act 8:13 , Act 15:32 , Act 21:24 , Act 24:15-16 , Act 25:22 , Act 27:36 , here it is placed in sharp contrast to the preceding words about Stephen (with whose witness he was now identified). On as characteristic of Luke in his Gospel and Acts see Hawkins, Hor Synoptic , p. 33, as compared with its employment by the other Synoptists, sometimes it is inserted with emphasis, Plummer on Luk 1:16 . ., see note on Act 8:1 .
Thy martyr Stephen = Stephen Thy witness (Greek. martur. See Act 1:8).
shed = being poured out. Greek. ekcheo as in Act 2:17, Act 2:18, Act 2:33.
consenting. Greek. suneudokeo. See note on Act 8:1.
unto his death. The texts omit.
kept = was guarding.
raiment = garments. As in Act 14:14.
slew. Greek. anaireo. See note on Act 2:23.
20. ] E. V. thy martyr, following Beza: Vulg., and Erasm, testis tui. The Apostle may have here used the (Hebrew, , as Wordsworth) word in its strict primary sense; for a view of Christ in His glory was vouchsafed to Stephen, and it was by bearing witness of that manifestation that he hastened his death (ch. Act 7:55 ff.). The present meaning of the word martyr did, however, become attached to it at a very early period, and is apparently of apostolic authority: e.g. Rev 17:6, and Clem. Rom[147] 1 Corinthians 5, p. 217 (cited in note on ch. Act 1:25). The transition from the first to the secondary sense may be easily accounted for. Many who had only seen with the eye of faith, suffered persecution and death as a proof of their sincerity. For such constancy the Greek had no adequate term. It was necessary for the Christians to provide one. None was more appropriate than , seeing what had been the fate of those whom Christ had appointed to be His witnesses (ch. Act 1:8). They almost all suffered: hence to witness became a synonym for to suffer; while the suffering was in itself a kind of testimony. (Mr. Humphry.) Bp. Wordsworth well designates this introduction of the name of Stephen A noble endeavour to make public reparation for a public sin, by public confession in the same place where the sin was committed.
[147] Rom. Clement, Bp. of Rome, 91-101
] I myself also.
Act 22:20. , even I myself) The converted man retains the humble remembrance of his sins, and always confesses them.
martyr: Rev 2:13, Rev 17:6
Stephen: Act 7:58, Act 8:1
consenting: Luk 11:48, Rom 1:32
Reciprocal: Mat 23:34 – ye Mar 13:9 – take Luk 11:49 – and some Act 9:13 – how Act 14:19 – having Act 22:4 – I persecuted Act 26:10 – I also
Act 22:20. And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death. It is hardly likely that the sense in which we understand the word martyr, viz. one who dies for his religion, belonged as yet to the Greek word or . It would therefore be more strictly accurate to render here, the blood of thy witness Stephen. But there is little doubt that, very early indeed in the Christian story, the, to us, well-known sense of the beautiful word martyr became attached to it. Probably the transition from the general sense of witness to the specific meaning of martyr is traceable to its use in such passages as this and Rev 2:13; Rev 11:3; Rev 17:6 : Antipas, my faithful martyr: And I will give power unto my two witnesses (better, martyrs); And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus; it must be borne in mind that the Revelation was written many years (possibly thirty years) after the compilation of these Acts. Thus the word before the close of the first century had began to acquire the special Christian sense which in the second was so well known. Eusebius tells us, for instance (H. E. v. 2), how the martyrs of Lyons (second century) positively refused the title martyrs, considering it appropriate only to Christ: If any of us, either by letter or conversation, called them martyrs, they gravely reproved us, for they gladly gave up the title of martyr to Christthe true and faithful Martyr, the first begotten of the dead, the Prince of Divine life. The transition from the first sense (witness) to the second sense (martyr) may be easily accounted for. Many, who had only seen with the eye of faith, suffered persecution and death as a proof of their sincerity. For such constancy the Greek had no adequate term. It was necessary for the Christians to provide one None was more appropriate than , seeing what had been the fate of those whom Christ had appointed His witnesses (chap. Act 1:8). They almost all suffered; hence, to witness became a synonym for to suffer, while the witnessing was in itself a kind of suffering (Humphry).
See notes on verse 17
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 {b} slew him.
(b) This is properly spoken, for Steven was murdered by a bunch of cutthroats, not by order of justice, but by open force: for at that time the Jews could not put any man to death by law.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes