Lexical Summary anairesis: Removal, destruction, killing Original Word: ἀναίρεσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance murder, death. From anaireo; (the act of) killing -- death. see GREEK anaireo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anaireó Definition a taking up, a destroying, slaying NASB Translation putting...to death (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 336: ἀναίρεσιςἀναίρεσις, (εως, ἡ (from ἀναιρέω, 2, which see), a destroying, killing, murder, 'taking off': Acts 8:1; Acts 22:20 Rec. (the Sept. only in Numbers 11:15; Judges 15:17; Judith 15:4; 2 Macc. 5:13. Xenophon, Hell. 6, 3, 5; Herodian, 2, 13, 1.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Overview Strong’s Greek 336 designates the act of violently removing a life. Rather than a generic term for death, it stresses deliberate extermination—an act carried out with conscious approval or premeditation. In Scripture it is linked to hostility against those who bear testimony to the gospel. Singular New Testament Occurrence Acts 8:1 is the sole New Testament instance: “And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death…” (Berean Standard Bible). The word captures not only the fact of Stephen’s execution but the calculated nature of the deed and the complicity of those who sanctioned it. Connection to the Theme of Martyrdom Stephen’s martyrdom marks the first recorded killing of a believer after Pentecost, establishing a pattern that recurs throughout church history. The term highlights the cost of discipleship and sets the stage for the church’s theology of suffering (Matthew 10:38; Philippians 1:29). Historical Background of Stephen’s Execution Stephen had been arraigned on charges of blasphemy after his Spirit-inspired testimony before the Sanhedrin (Acts 6–7). His death by stoning, endorsed by influential leaders and spectators such as Saul, reveals the intensity of opposition faced by the early church and fulfills Jesus’ prediction that His followers would be “handed over to councils” (Mark 13:9). Saul’s Approval and His Later Transformation The text draws attention to Saul’s consent, preparing the reader for his dramatic conversion in Acts 9 and underscoring the depth of divine grace. The very man who once “breathed threats and murder” (Acts 9:1) would later proclaim, “I am not ashamed of the gospel” (Romans 1:16). The word thus functions as a narrative hinge between persecution and proclamation. Old Testament and Septuagint Echoes Although ἀναίρεσις appears only once in the New Testament, the Septuagint regularly uses related forms to describe unlawful slaying (e.g., Numbers 31:8; 2 Kings 10:11). These echoes remind readers that opposition to God’s messengers did not begin with the church; it threads through Israel’s history (2 Chronicles 36:16). Christological Parallels Stephen’s unjust killing mirrors the judicial murder of Jesus Christ (Acts 7:52; Luke 23:23). Both deaths were carried out under the guise of protecting orthodoxy, yet each became a catalyst for the spread of salvation. The vocabulary of “removal” subtly links Stephen’s witness to the cross, where the sinless Lamb was “taken away” for the sins of the world (John 1:29). Ecclesiological Implications Acts 8:1 connects Stephen’s death with the dispersion of believers into Judea and Samaria. What human authorities intended as suppression, God used for expansion, fulfilling Acts 1:8. The term therefore stands at the crossroads of persecution and mission, illustrating that the church’s advance is often birthed in affliction. Practical and Pastoral Reflection 1. Faithfulness may invite violent opposition; believers must count the cost (Luke 14:27–33). Missional Outcomes The reverberations of Stephen’s death extended far beyond Jerusalem, ultimately influencing Antioch (Acts 11:19–26) and the Gentile mission. Thus, Strong’s 336 is more than a lexical curiosity; it marks the moment when martyrdom fueled the global advance of the gospel, proving that even deliberate killing cannot silence the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:9). Forms and Transliterations αναιρεσει αναιρέσει ἀναιρέσει αναίρεσις anairesei anairéseiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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