Other Translations of Acts 8:1-4
King James Version
Saul Persecutes the Church
81 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. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
The Gospel Preached in Samaria
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
English Standard Version
Saul Persecutes the Church
81 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
The Gospel Preached in Samaria
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
The Message
Saul Persecutes the Church
81 That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles. 2 Good and brave men buried Stephen, giving him a solemn funeral - not many dry eyes that day! 3 And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail.
The Gospel Preached in Samaria
4 Forced to leave home base, the Christians all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus.
New King James Version
Saul Persecutes the Church
81 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
The Gospel Preached in Samaria
4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
New Living Translation
Saul Persecutes the Church
81 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. Persecution Scatters the Believers A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 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.
The Gospel Preached in Samaria
4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 8:1-4
Commentary on Acts 8:1-4
(Read Acts 8:1-4)
Though persecution must not drive us from our work, yet it may send us to work elsewhere. Wherever the established believer is driven, he carries the knowledge of the gospel, and makes known the preciousness of Christ in every place. Where a simple desire of doing good influences the heart, it will be found impossible to shut a man out from all opportunities of usefulness.