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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 8:3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/8-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/44_Act_08_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 8:3 - Saul Persecutes the Church" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Saul began to destroy the church. 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Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. <a href="/nlt/acts/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. <a href="/esv/acts/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. <a href="/bsb/acts/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. <a href="/blb/acts/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But Saul was destroying the church. Entering houses after houses and dragging off men and women, he was delivering them to prison. <a href="/kjv/acts/8.htm">King James Bible</a> As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. <a href="/nkjv/acts/8.htm">New King James Version</a> As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. <a href="/nasb_/acts/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and he would drag away men and women and put them in prison. <a href="/nasb/acts/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. <a href="/nasb77/acts/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. <a href="/lsb/acts/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he was delivering them into prison. <a href="/amp/acts/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But Saul began ravaging the church [and assaulting believers]; entering house after house and dragging off men and women, putting them in prison. <a href="/csb/acts/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison. <a href="/hcsb/acts/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison. <a href="/asv/acts/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison. <a href="/cev/acts/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Saul started making a lot of trouble for the church. He went from house to house, arresting men and women and putting them in jail. <a href="/erv/acts/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. <a href="/gwt/acts/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Saul tried to destroy the church. He dragged men and women out of one home after another and threw them into prison. <a href="/gnt/acts/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> But Saul tried to destroy the church; going from house to house, he dragged out the believers, both men and women, and threw them into jail. <a href="/isv/acts/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> But Saul kept trying to destroy the church. Going into one house after another, he began dragging off men and women and throwing them in prison. <a href="/msb/acts/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. <a href="/net/acts/8.htm">NET Bible</a> But Saul was trying to destroy the church; entering one house after another, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. <a href="/nheb/acts/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But Saul ravaged the church, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison. <a href="/wbt/acts/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and hauling men and women committed them to prison. <a href="/wey/acts/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But Saul cruelly harassed the Church. He went into house after house, and, dragging off both men and women, threw them into prison. <a href="/web/acts/8.htm">World English Bible</a> But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and Saul was making havoc of the Assembly, entering into every house, and dragging away men and women, giving them up to prison; <a href="/blb/acts/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But Saul was destroying the church. Entering houses after houses and dragging off men and women, he was delivering them to prison. <a href="/ylt/acts/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and Saul was making havoc of the assembly, into every house entering, and haling men and women, was giving them up to prison; <a href="/slt/acts/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Saul abused the church, going into houses, and drawing out men and women, delivered to prison.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But Saul made havock of the church, entering in from house to house, and dragging away men and women, committed them to prison. <a href="/cpdv/acts/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then Saul was laying waste to the Church by entering throughout the houses, and dragging away men and women, and committing them to prison. <a href="/nabre/acts/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church; entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> As for Saul, he continued to persecute the church of God, entering into houses and dragging out men and women and delivering them to prison, <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But Shaul was persecuting the Church of God, as he was entering houses and dragging men and women and delivering them to prison.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But Saul attempted to destroy the church; entering every house, and dragging men and women, he delivered them up to prison.<CM> <a href="/godbey/acts/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But Saul was laying waste the church, entering into the houses, and arresting men and women, he committed them to prison. <a href="/haweis/acts/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But Saul ravaged the church, entering into the houses, and dragging men and women, cast them into prison.<CM> <a href="/mace/acts/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> as for Saul, he made havock of the Church, entring into their houses, whence he dragg'd away both men and women, to throw them into prison. <a href="/wey/acts/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But Saul cruelly harassed the Church. He went into house after house, and, dragging off both men and women, threw them into prison. <a href="/worrell/acts/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But Saul was laying waste the assembly, entering house after house; and, dragging men and women, was committing them to prison. <a href="/worsley/acts/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But Saul made havock of the church, entring into the houses, and dragging out men and women, committed them to prison. <a href="/parallel/acts/8-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=2361" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/8.htm">Saul Persecutes the Church</a> …2God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. 3<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/4569.htm" title="4569: Saulos (N-NMS) -- Saul, the apostle. Of Hebrew origin, the same as Saoul; Saulus, the Jewish name of Paul.">Saul</a> <a href="/greek/3075.htm" title="3075: elymaineto (V-IIM/P-3S) -- To outrage, maltreat, corrupt, defile. Middle voice from a probably derivative of luo; properly, to soil, i.e. insult.">began to destroy</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1577.htm" title="1577: ekklēsian (N-AFS) -- From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.">church.</a> <a href="/greek/1531.htm" title="1531: eisporeuomenos (V-PPM/P-NMS) -- To journey in(to), I go in(to), enter, intervene. From eis and poreuomai; to enter.">Going</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">from house to house,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3624.htm" title="3624: oikous (N-AMP) -- A dwelling; by implication, a family."></a> <a href="/greek/5037.htm" title="5037: te (Conj) -- And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also."></a> <a href="/greek/4951.htm" title="4951: syrōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To draw, drag, force away. Probably akin to haireomai; to trail.">he dragged off</a> <a href="/greek/435.htm" title="435: andras (N-AMP) -- A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.">men</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaikas (N-AFP) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.">women</a> <a href="/greek/3860.htm" title="3860: paredidou (V-IIA-3S) -- From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit.">and put them</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">in</a> <a href="/greek/5438.htm" title="5438: phylakēn (N-AFS) -- From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively.">prison.</a> 4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/9-1.htm">Acts 9:1-2</a> Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest / and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. <a href="/acts/22-4.htm">Acts 22:4-5</a> I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison, / as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished. <a href="/acts/26-9.htm">Acts 26:9-11</a> So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. / And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. / I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Galatians 1:13</a> For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. <a href="/1_timothy/1-13.htm">1 Timothy 1:13</a> I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. <a href="/philippians/3-6.htm">Philippians 3:6</a> as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. <a href="/john/15-20.htm">John 15:20</a> Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. <a href="/matthew/10-17.htm">Matthew 10:17</a> But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-23.htm">2 Corinthians 11:23-25</a> Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death. / Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. / Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-9.htm">1 Corinthians 15:9</a> For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. <a href="/luke/21-12.htm">Luke 21:12</a> But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. On account of My name they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons, and they will bring you before kings and governors. <a href="/matthew/23-34.htm">Matthew 23:34</a> Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town. <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:15</a> who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, <a href="/romans/10-2.htm">Romans 10:2</a> For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge. <a href="/jeremiah/20-2.htm">Jeremiah 20:2</a> he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.<a href="/acts/7-58.htm">Acts 7:58</a> And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.<a href="/acts/9-1.htm">Acts 9:1-13,21</a> And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, … <a href="/acts/22-3.htm">Acts 22:3,4</a> I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/8-1.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/acts/7-30.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/acts/8-1.htm">Church</a> <a href="/john/5-29.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/acts/7-52.htm">Cruelly</a> <a href="/acts/7-53.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/acts/6-14.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/acts/7-58.htm">Dragged</a> <a href="/john/21-8.htm">Dragging</a> <a href="/acts/3-2.htm">Entering</a> <a href="/acts/5-16.htm">Harassed</a> <a href="/john/17-14.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-3.htm">Havoc</a> <a href="/acts/7-49.htm">House</a> <a href="/acts/7-48.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/acts/7-58.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/acts/8-2.htm">Making</a> <a href="/acts/5-25.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/acts/7-17.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/26-6.htm">Ravaged</a> <a href="/acts/8-1.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/acts/7-58.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/acts/5-14.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/11-22.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/acts/18-25.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/acts/9-31.htm">Church</a> <a href="/acts/14-23.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/acts/9-4.htm">Cruelly</a> <a href="/acts/12-4.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/acts/26-21.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/acts/14-19.htm">Dragged</a> <a href="/acts/17-6.htm">Dragging</a> <a href="/acts/9-28.htm">Entering</a> <a href="/acts/27-20.htm">Harassed</a> <a href="/romans/1-29.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/acts/9-21.htm">Havoc</a> <a href="/acts/9-11.htm">House</a> <a href="/acts/11-3.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/acts/8-17.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Making</a> <a href="/acts/12-4.htm">Prison</a> <a href="/acts/9-12.htm">Putting</a> <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Ravaged</a> <a href="/acts/9-1.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/acts/10-25.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/acts/8-12.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 8</div>1. <a href="/acts/8-1.htm">By occasion of the persecution in Jerusalem, the church being planted in Samaria, </a> 4. <a href="/acts/8-4.htm">by Philip the deacon, who preached, did miracles, and baptized many;</a> 9. <a href="/acts/8-9.htm">among the rest Simon the sorcerer, a great seducer of the people;</a> 14. <a href="/acts/8-14.htm">Peter and John come to confirm and enlarge the church; </a> 15. <a href="/acts/8-15.htm">where, by prayer and imposition of hands giving the Holy Spirit;</a> 18. <a href="/acts/8-18.htm">when Simon would have bought the like power of them, </a> 20. <a href="/acts/8-20.htm">Peter sharply reproving his hypocrisy and covetousness, </a> 22. <a href="/acts/8-22.htm">and exhorting him to repentance, </a> 25. <a href="/acts/8-25.htm">together with John preaching the word of the Lord, return to Jerusalem;</a> 26. <a href="/acts/8-26.htm">but the angel sends Philip to teach and baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Saul, later known as the Apostle Paul, was a zealous Pharisee who initially opposed the early Christian movement. His actions against the church were driven by his deep commitment to Jewish law and tradition, viewing the followers of Jesus as a threat to the religious order. The term "destroy" indicates a systematic and aggressive effort to dismantle the Christian community. This persecution was a fulfillment of Jesus' warning to His disciples that they would face opposition (<a href="/john/15-20.htm">John 15:20</a>). Saul's actions also reflect the broader Jewish leadership's resistance to the burgeoning Christian faith, which they saw as heretical.Going from house to house, The early church often met in homes, as there were no dedicated church buildings at this time. Saul's methodical approach of going from house to house suggests a thorough and organized effort to root out Christians. This reflects the intimate and communal nature of early Christian gatherings, which were familial and close-knit. The house-to-house search also indicates the extent of Saul's determination to eradicate the movement, as he sought out believers in their private spaces.he dragged off men and women The inclusion of both men and women highlights the indiscriminate nature of Saul's persecution. It underscores the active role women played in the early church, as they were significant enough to be targeted alongside men. This phrase also emphasizes the brutality of Saul's actions, as "dragged off" conveys a forceful and violent removal. The persecution of both genders indicates the widespread impact of Saul's campaign against the church.and put them in prison. Imprisonment was a common consequence for those who were seen as threats to the religious or social order. By imprisoning Christians, Saul aimed to suppress the spread of their teachings and break the spirit of the community. This action reflects the legal authority Saul had, likely sanctioned by the Sanhedrin, to arrest and detain those who followed "the Way" (<a href="/acts/9-2.htm">Acts 9:2</a>). The imprisonment of believers also fulfilled Jesus' prophecy that His followers would face persecution and imprisonment for His name's sake (<a href="/luke/21-12.htm">Luke 21:12</a>). Saul's actions, though initially destructive, set the stage for his dramatic conversion and subsequent role as a pivotal figure in the spread of Christianity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a> A zealous Pharisee who later becomes the Apostle Paul. At this point in Acts, he is fervently persecuting the early Christian church. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_church.htm">The Church</a> Refers to the early Christian community in Jerusalem, which was experiencing significant growth and facing persecution. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where the early church was centered and where Saul's persecution was taking place. 4. <a href="/topical/p/persecution.htm">Persecution</a> The systematic oppression and harassment of Christians, which included imprisonment and sometimes death. 5. <a href="/topical/h/house_to_house.htm">House to House</a> Indicates the thorough and relentless nature of Saul's persecution, as he sought out Christians in their homes.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/z/zeal_without_knowledge.htm">Zeal Without Knowledge</a> Saul's actions demonstrate how zeal, when not aligned with God's truth, can lead to destructive behavior. We must ensure our passion is guided by Scripture and the Holy Spirit. <a href="/topical/t/the_resilience_of_the_church.htm">The Resilience of the Church</a> Despite severe persecution, the early church continued to grow. This reminds us that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human opposition. <a href="/topical/t/transformation_through_christ.htm">Transformation Through Christ</a> Saul's later conversion is a powerful testament to the transformative power of Jesus. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace. <a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_trials.htm">Perseverance in Trials</a> The early Christians' endurance under persecution encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when facing difficulties. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community.htm">The Importance of Community</a> The early church's communal nature provided strength and support during persecution. We should value and invest in our Christian communities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 8</a> <a href="/q/is_missing_church_considered_a_sin.htm">Is missing church considered a sin?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'law_and_the_prophets'_mean.htm">Who was the Gentiles' apostle?</a> <a href="/q/did_god_rename_saul_as_paul.htm">Did God rename Saul as Paul?</a> <a href="/q/what_were_paul's_key_contributions.htm">What were Apostle Paul's key contributions to Christianity?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) As for Saul, he made havock of the church.--The tense in the Greek implies continuous action, and so indicates the severity of the persecution. Further details are given by St. Paul himself. He "persecuted this way unto the death" (<a href="/acts/22-4.htm" title="And I persecuted this way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.">Acts 22:4</a>). It does not follow, however, that this points to more than the death of Stephen. Both men and women were imprisoned (ibid). The fact that the latter class were included among the sufferers, implies that they had been more or less prominent in the activity of the new society. Such may have been the devout women of <a href="/context/luke/8-2.htm" title="And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,">Luke 8:2-3</a>. The victims were punished in every synagogue, most probably with the forty stripes save one (<a href="/2_corinthians/11-24.htm" title="Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.">2Corinthians 11:24</a>) which was the common penalty for minor offences against religious order. They were compelled to blaspheme the "worthy name" of the Master whom they owned as the Christ (<a href="/acts/26-11.htm" title="And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even to strange cities.">Acts 26:11</a>; Jas. Ii. 7). They were subject to wanton outrages in addition to judicial severity (<a href="/1_timothy/1-13.htm" title="Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.">1Timothy 1:13</a>). There was, as the persecutor himself afterwards confessed (<a href="/acts/26-11.htm" title="And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even to strange cities.">Acts 26:11</a>), a kind of insane ferocity in his violence. Even the very word "haling" implies a brutality which might well have been spared. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - But for as for, A.V.; 'laid waste for he made havoc of,' A.V. From the dispersion of the disciples will flow the narrative in this present chapter. It is therefore mentioned first. From the persecution of Saul will flow the narrative in <a href="/acts/9.htm">Acts 9</a> and to the end of the book. Stephen's burial completes the preceding narrative. <a href="/commentaries/acts/8-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. Saul Σαῦλος (Saulos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4569.htm">Strong's 4569: </a> Saul, the apostle. Of Hebrew origin, the same as Saoul; Saulus, the Jewish name of Paul. began to destroy ἐλυμαίνετο (elymaineto) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3075.htm">Strong's 3075: </a> To outrage, maltreat, corrupt, defile. Middle voice from a probably derivative of luo; properly, to soil, i.e. insult. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. church. ἐκκλησίαν (ekklēsian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1577.htm">Strong's 1577: </a> From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation. Going εἰσπορευόμενος (eisporeuomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1531.htm">Strong's 1531: </a> To journey in(to), I go in(to), enter, intervene. From eis and poreuomai; to enter. from house to house, κατὰ (kata) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). he dragged off σύρων (syrōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4951.htm">Strong's 4951: </a> To draw, drag, force away. Probably akin to haireomai; to trail. men ἄνδρας (andras) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_435.htm">Strong's 435: </a> A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. women γυναῖκας (gynaikas) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1135.htm">Strong's 1135: </a> A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. [and] put [them] παρεδίδου (paredidou) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3860.htm">Strong's 3860: </a> From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit. in εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. prison. φυλακήν (phylakēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5438.htm">Strong's 5438: </a> From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/8-3.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 8:3 But Saul ravaged the assembly entering into (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/8-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 8:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 8:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/8-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 8:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 8:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>