“And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem; and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria - Saul's approval of Stephen's death (syneudokeō, consent) establishes his guilt and sets the stage for his future transformation. The 'great persecution' (diōgmos megas) is systematic and violent, yet it has the effect of geographical expansion. The church scatters 'throughout Judea and Samaria,' fulfilling Jesus's promise (Acts 1:8). Persecution becomes the means of mission; the gospel is flung outward by violence.
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