Acts 22:20
New International Version
And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’

New Living Translation
And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’

English Standard Version
And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

Berean Standard Bible
And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’

Berean Literal Bible
And when the blood of Your witness of Stephen was poured out, I myself also was standing by and consenting and watching over the garments of those killing him.'

King James Bible
And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

New King James Version
And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’

New American Standard Bible
And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing nearby and approving, and watching over the cloaks of those who were killing him.’

NASB 1995
‘And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him.’

NASB 1977
‘And when the blood of Thy witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the cloaks of those who were slaying him.’

Legacy Standard Bible
And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and guarding the garments of those who were slaying him.’

Amplified Bible
And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing nearby approving and consenting [to his death], and guarding the coats of those who were killing him.’

Christian Standard Bible
And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I stood there giving approval and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing by and approving, and I guarded the clothes of those who killed him.’”

American Standard Version
and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.

Contemporary English Version
Stephen was killed because he spoke for you, and I stood there and cheered them on. I even guarded the clothes of the men who murdered him."

English Revised Version
and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Stephen, who witnessed about you, was being killed, I was standing there. I approved of his death and guarded the coats of those who were murdering him.'

Good News Translation
And when your witness Stephen was put to death, I myself was there, approving of his murder and taking care of the cloaks of his murderers.'

International Standard Version
Even when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing there, approving it and guarding the coats of those who were killing him.'

Majority Standard Bible
And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval to his death and watching over the garments of those who killed him.?

NET Bible
And when the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing nearby, approving, and guarding the cloaks of those who were killing him.'

New Heart English Bible
When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

Weymouth New Testament
and when they were shedding the blood of Stephen, Thy witness, I was standing by, fully approving of it, and I held the clothes of those who were killing him.'

World English Bible
When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, consenting to his death, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and when the blood of your witness Stephen was being poured forth, I was also standing by and assenting to his death, and keeping the garments of those putting him to death;

Berean Literal Bible
And when the blood of Your witness of Stephen was poured out, I myself also was standing by and consenting and watching over the garments of those killing him.'

Young's Literal Translation
and when the blood of thy witness Stephen was being poured forth, I also was standing by and assenting to his death, and keeping the garments of those putting him to death;

Smith's Literal Translation
And when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I myself was standing by, and assenting to his murder, and watching the garments of them murdering him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I stood by and consented, and kept the garments of them that killed him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the blood of your witness Stephen was poured out, I stood nearby and was consenting, and I watched over the garments of those who put him to death.’

New American Bible
And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I myself stood by giving my approval and keeping guard over the cloaks of his murderers.’

New Revised Standard Version
And while the blood of your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by, approving and keeping the coats of those who killed him.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and was in accord with his slayers, and was in charge of the garments of them who stoned him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And when the blood of your witness Estephanos was shed, I also was standing with them and consenting to the will of those who killed him, and I was holding the garments of those who were stoning him.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and that when the blood of Stephen, thy witness, was shed, I also stood by and approved, and kept the clothing of those who slew him.

Godbey New Testament
and when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of those killing him.

Haweis New Testament
and when the blood of Stephen thy martyr was shed, I myself even stood by, and took delight in his execution, and guarded the garments of those who slew him.

Mace New Testament
that I was present, when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, that I abetted the slaughter, and watch'd the clothes of those who slew him.

Weymouth New Testament
and when they were shedding the blood of Stephen, Thy witness, I was standing by, fully approving of it, and I held the clothes of those who were killing him.'

Worrell New Testament
and, when the blood of Stephen, Thy witness, was poured forth, I myself also was standing by, and approving, and guarding the garments of those who slew him.

Worsley New Testament
And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also stood by and consented to his death, and kept the clothes of them that slew him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Defense to the Crowd
19‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. 20And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”…

Cross References
Acts 7:58-60
They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. / While they were stoning him, Stephen appealed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” / Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 8:1
And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Acts 9:1-2
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.

Acts 26:10
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.

1 Timothy 1:13
I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.

Galatians 1:13
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.

Philippians 3:6
as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.

1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Romans 1:32
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.

Matthew 23:34-35
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. / And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

Luke 11:49-51
Because of this, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles; some of them they will kill and others they will persecute.’ / As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, / from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation.

2 Corinthians 11:24-25
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.

Hebrews 11:37
They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.

Revelation 6:9-11
And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld. / And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?” / Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed.

Genesis 4:10
“What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.


Treasury of Scripture

And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

martyr.

Revelation 2:13
I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Revelation 17:6
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Stephen.

Acts 7:58
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.

Acts 8:1
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 Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

consenting.

Luke 11:48
Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

Romans 1:32
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Jump to Previous
Approving Blood Cloaks Clothes Coats Consenting Death Fully Garments Guarding Held Keeping Kept Killed Killing Martyr Poured Raiment Shed Shedding Slaying Slew Standing Stephen Stood Watching Witness
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Approving Blood Cloaks Clothes Coats Consenting Death Fully Garments Guarding Held Keeping Kept Killed Killing Martyr Poured Raiment Shed Shedding Slaying Slew Standing Stephen Stood Watching Witness
Acts 22
1. Paul declares how he was converted to the faith,
17. and called to his apostleship.
22. At the very mentioning of the Gentiles the people exclaim on him.
24. He would have been scourged;
25. but claiming the privilege of a Roman, he escapes.














And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed
This phrase refers to the martyrdom of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, as recorded in Acts 7:54-60. Stephen was a deacon in the early church and known for his powerful preaching and miracles. His death marked a significant moment in the early church, as it was the first instance of a believer being killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. The term "witness" (Greek: "martys") is significant, as it later came to mean "martyr" in Christian tradition, highlighting the ultimate testimony of faith through sacrifice. Stephen's death fulfilled Jesus' prophecy that His followers would face persecution (John 15:20).

I stood there giving my approval
This phrase indicates Saul's (later Paul) complicity in Stephen's death. Saul was a Pharisee and a zealous persecutor of the early church, as described in Acts 8:1-3 and Philippians 3:5-6. His approval of Stephen's execution shows his initial opposition to the Christian movement. This moment is pivotal in understanding Saul's transformation into Paul, as it underscores the depth of his conversion experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). It also highlights the theme of redemption and grace, as someone who once persecuted Christians became one of the most influential apostles.

and watching over the garments of those who killed him.
In the cultural context of the time, those who stoned Stephen would have removed their outer garments to throw stones more effectively. Saul's role in watching over these garments signifies his authority and agreement with the execution. This act of holding the garments is symbolic of his participation in the persecution, even if he did not physically throw a stone. The mention of garments can also be seen as a type of Jesus Christ, who was stripped of His garments during His crucifixion (John 19:23-24), drawing a parallel between the suffering of Christ and His followers. This connection emphasizes the cost of discipleship and the call to bear one's cross (Luke 9:23).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Stephen
A deacon in the early church and the first Christian martyr. His bold witness and subsequent martyrdom are pivotal events in the early church, demonstrating the cost of discipleship and the power of the Holy Spirit.

2. Paul (formerly Saul)
At the time of Stephen's martyrdom, Paul was a zealous Pharisee who persecuted Christians. His presence at Stephen's stoning marks a significant moment in his life before his dramatic conversion to Christianity.

3. The Stoning of Stephen
This event is a turning point in the Book of Acts, highlighting the growing tension between early Christians and Jewish authorities. It also sets the stage for the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem.

4. Jerusalem
The city where Stephen was martyred and where the early church was centered. Jerusalem is significant as the birthplace of the church and the site of many key events in the New Testament.

5. Witnesses
Those who stoned Stephen and laid their garments at Saul's feet. Their actions reflect the hostility faced by early Christians and the societal pressures to conform to religious norms.
Teaching Points
The Cost of Witnessing for Christ
Stephen's martyrdom reminds us that following Christ may require great sacrifice, including our lives. We are called to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of persecution.

Transformation through Christ
Paul's presence at Stephen's stoning and his later conversion demonstrate the radical transformation that Christ can bring. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace.

The Power of Forgiveness
Stephen's prayer for his persecutors mirrors Christ's own words on the cross. We are called to forgive those who wrong us, trusting in God's justice and mercy.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
Stephen's boldness and wisdom were empowered by the Holy Spirit. As believers, we should seek the Spirit's guidance and strength in our witness.

The Importance of Repentance
Paul's life shows the importance of repentance and turning away from sin. True repentance leads to a transformed life and a new purpose in Christ.(20) When the blood of thy martyr Stephen . . . .--Better, thy witness. The English word is, perhaps, a little too definite and technical, and fails to remind us, as the Greek does, that the same word had been used in Acts 22:15 as expressing the office to which St. Paul himself was called. He probably used the Aramaic word Edh, of which the Greek martus (witness, and, in ecclesiastical Greek, martyr) was the natural equivalent.

Consenting unto his death.--The self-same word is used as in Acts 8:1, not, we may believe, without the feeling which the speaker had lately expressed in Romans 1:32, that that state of mind involved a greater guilt than those who had been acting blindly,--almost in what John Huss called the sancta simplicitas of devout ignorance--in the passionate heat of fanaticism. The words "unto his death" are wanting in the best MSS., but are obviously implied.

Verse 20. - Stephen thy witness for thy martyr Stephen, A.V.; consenting for consenting unto his death, A.V. and T.R.; keeping the garments for kept the raiment, A.V. Consenting; συνευδοκῶν (above, Acts 8:1; Luke 11:48; Romans 1:32; 1 Corinthians 7:12, 13). It is also found in 1 Macc. 1:60; 2 Macc. 11:34, 35. Of them that slew him (τῶν ἀναιρούν των αὐτόν). Ἀναιρέω, in the sense of "to kill," is a favorite word of St. Luke's (Luke 22:2; Luke 23:32; Acts 2:23; Acts 5:33, 36; Acts 7:28; Acts 9:23, 24, 29; Acts 10:39; Acts 12:2; Acts 13:28; Acts 16:27; Acts 22:20; Acts 23:15, 21, 27; Acts 25:3; Acts 26:10); but elsewhere in the New Testament only Matthew 2:16 and 2 Thessalonians 2:8, R.T. It is frequent in the LXX. and also in medical writers in the sense of "taking away" or "removing."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

when
ὅτε (hote)
Adverb
Strong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

blood
αἷμα (haima)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 129: Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.

of Your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

witness
μάρτυρός (martyros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3144: A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a 'martyr'.

Stephen
Στεφάνου (Stephanou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4736: The same as stephanos; Stephanus, a Christian.

was shed,
ἐξεχύννετο (exechynneto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1632: Or ekchuno ek-khoo'-no from ek and cheo; to pour forth; figuratively, to bestow.

I
αὐτὸς (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

stood there
ἐφεστὼς (ephestōs)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2186: To stand by, be urgent, befall one (as of evil), be at hand, impend. From epi and histemi; to stand upon, i.e. Be present.

giving my approval
συνευδοκῶν (syneudokōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4909: From sun and eudokeo; to think well of in common, i.e. Assent to, feel gratified with.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

watching over
φυλάσσων (phylassōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5442: Probably from phule through the idea of isolation; to watch, i.e. Be on guard; by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

garments
ἱμάτια (himatia)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2440: A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.

of those who
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

killed
ἀναιρούντων (anairountōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 337: From ana and haireomai; to take up, i.e. Adopt; by implication, to take away, i.e. Abolish, murder.

him.’
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Apostles: Acts 22:20 When the blood of Stephen your witness (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
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