Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 8:1

"And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles." — Acts 8:1 (ASV)

CHAPTER VIII

And Saul was consenting, etc. He was pleased with Stephen's death and approved it. . This part of the verse should have been connected with the previous chapter.

At that time. This was immediately following the death of Stephen. The persecution arose on account of Stephen (Acts 11:19). The tumult did not subside when Stephen was killed; their anger continued to be aroused against all Christians.

They had become so embittered by the zeal and success of the apostles, and by their frequent charges of murder in putting the Son of God to death, that they resolved at once to put an end to their progress and success. This was the first persecution against Christians—the first in a series that ended only when the religion they wished to destroy was fully established on the ruins of both Judaism and Paganism.

The Church. This refers to the community of Christians which was now organized into a church. The church at Jerusalem was the first to be formed.

All scattered. This means the great majority of Christians.

The regions of Judea, etc. See the notes on Matthew 2:22.

Except the apostles. Probably, the other Christians fled from fear. Why the apostles, who were particularly in danger, did not also flee is not stated by the historian. However, having been more fully instructed than the others, and having been taught their duty by the example and teaching of the Saviour, they resolved, it seems, to remain and brave the fury of the persecutors.

For them to have fled then would have exposed them, as leaders and founders of the new religion, to the charge of timidity and weakness. They therefore resolved to remain in the midst of their persecutors, and a merciful Providence watched over them and defended them from harm. The dispersion extended not only to Judea and Samaria, but those who fled also carried the gospel to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (Acts 11:19).

There was a reason why this was permitted. The early converts were Jews. They had strong feelings of attachment to the city of Jerusalem, to the temple, and to the land of their fathers. Yet it was the design of the Lord Jesus that the gospel should be preached everywhere. To accomplish this, he allowed a persecution to rage; and they were scattered abroad and carried his gospel to other cities and lands. Good thus came out of evil, and the first persecution resulted, as all others have done, in advancing the cause that was intended to be destroyed.