Acts 22:20

“And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, etc.] 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 <440801>Acts 8:1). and kept the raiment of them that slew him; the accusers of him, and witnesses against him, whose hands were…”

“The blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed - See Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1. I also was standing by - Acts 7:58. And consenting unto his death - Acts 8:1. And kept the raiment - The outer robes or garments, which were usually laid aside when they engaged in running or labor. See Acts 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. return to 'Top of Page'”

“When the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by - A real convert still retains the remembrance of his former sins. He confesses thorn and is humbled for them, all the days of his life. Acts 22:22”

“martyr: Rev 2:13, Rev 17:6 Stephen: Act 7:58, Act 8:1 consenting: Luk 11:48; Rom 1:32 Acts 22:21”