Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 8]
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8:1 {Was consenting} (\•n suneudok•n\). Periphrastic imperfect of
\suneudoke•\, a late double compound (\sun, eu, doke•\) that well
describes Saul's pleasure in the death (\anairesis\, taking off,
only here in the N.T., though old word) of Stephen. For the verb
see on ¯Lu 23:32. Paul himself will later confess that he felt
so (Ac 22:20), coolly applauding the murder of Stephen, a
heinous sin (Ro 1:32). It is a gruesome picture. Chapter 7
should have ended here. {On that day} (\en ekein•i t•i h•mer•i\).
On that definite day, that same day as in 2:41. {A great
persecution} (\di•gmos megas\). It was at first persecution from
the Sadducees, but this attack on Stephen was from the Pharisees
so that both parties are now united in a general persecution that
deserves the adjective "great." See on ¯Mt 13:21 for the old
word \di•gmos\ from \di•k•\, to chase, hunt, pursue, persecute.
{Were all scattered abroad} (\pantes diespar•san\). Second aorist
passive indicative of \diaspeir•\, to scatter like grain, to
disperse, old word, in the N.T. only in Ac 8:1,4; 11:19.
{Except the apostles} (\pl•n t•n apostol•n\). Preposition \pl•n\
(adverb from \pleon\, more) with the ablative often in Luke. It
remains a bit of a puzzle why the Pharisees spared the apostles.
Was it due to the advice of Gamaliel in Ac 5:34-40? Or was it
the courage of the apostles? Or was it a combination of both with
the popularity of the apostles in addition?
8:2 {Devout} (\eulabeis\). Only four times in the N.T. (Lu 2:25;
Ac 2:5; 8:2; 22:12). Possibly some non-Christian Jews helped.
The burial took place before the Christians were chiefly
scattered. {Buried} (\sunekomisan\). Aorist active indicative of
\sunkomiz•\, old verb to bring together, to collect, to join with
others in carrying, to bury (the whole funeral arrangements).
Only here in the N.T. {Lamentation} (\kopeton\). Late word from
\koptomai\, to beat the breast, in LXX, Plutarch, etc., only here
in the N.T.
8:3 {Laid waste} (\elumaineto\). Imperfect middle of
\lumainomai\, old verb (from \lum•\, injury), to dishonour,
defile, devastate, ruin. Only here in the N.T. Like the laying
waste of a vineyard by a wild boar (Ps 79:13). Picturesque
http://www.ccel.org/r/robertson_at/wordpictures/htm/AC8.RWP.html (1 of 11) [28/08/2004 09:06:35 a.m.]
Word Pictures in the New Testament
(Acts: Chapter 8)