Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 7]
whipcracker these words cut to the quick. They gloried in
possessing the law and openly violated it (Ro 2:23).
7:54 {When they heard} (\akouontes\). Present active participle
of \akou•\, while hearing. {They were cut to the heart}
(\dieprionto tais kardiais\). See 5:33 where the same word and
form (imperfect passive of \diapri•\) is used of the effect of
Peter's speech on the Sadducees. Here Stephen had sent a saw
through the hearts of the Pharisees that rasped them to the bone.
{They gnashed on him with their teeth} (\ebruchon tous odontas
ep' auton\). Imperfect (inchoative) active of \bruch•\ (Attic
\bruk•\), to bite with loud noise, to grind or gnash the teeth.
Literally, They began to gnash their teeth at (\ep'\) him (just
like a pack of hungry, snarling wolves). Stephen knew that it
meant death for him.
7:55 {And Jesus standing} (\kai I•soun hest•ta\). Full of the
Holy Spirit, gazing steadfastly into heaven, he saw God's glory
and Jesus "standing" as if he had risen to cheer the brave
Stephen. Elsewhere (save verse 56 also) he is pictured as
sitting at the right hand of God (the Session of Christ) as in
Mt 26:64; Mr 16:19; Ac 2:34; Eph 1:20; Col 3:1; Heb 1:3.
7:56 {Opened} (\di•noigmenous\). Perfect passive predicate
participle of \dianoignumi\ (cf. Mt 3:16; Lu 3:21). {The son of
man} (\ton huion tou anthr•pou\). Elsewhere in the N.T. in
Christ's own words. Here Stephen may refer to the words of Jesus
as preserved in Mt 26:64.
7:57 {Stopped their ears} (\suneschon ta •ta aut•n\). Second
aorist active of \sunech•\, to hold together. They held their
ears together with their hands and affected to believe Stephen
guilty of blasphemy (cf. Mt 26:65). {Rushed upon him with one
accord} (\h•rm•san homothumadon ep' auton\). Ingressive aorist
active indicative of \horma•\, to rush impetuously as the hogs
did down the cliff when the demons entered them (Lu 8:33). No
vote was taken by the Sanhedrin. No scruple was raised about not
having the right to put him to death (Joh 8:31). It may have
taken place after Pilate's recall and before his successor came
or Pilate, if there, just connived at such an incident that did
not concern Rome. At any rate it was mob violence like modern
lynching that took the law into the hands of the Sanhedrin
without further formalities. {Out of the city} (\ek t•s pole•s\).
To keep from defiling the place with blood. But they sought to
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