Stoning, a form of capital punishment in ancient Israel, was prescribed in the Mosaic Law for various offenses, including blasphemy, idolatry, and certain sexual sins (Leviticus 20:2, Deuteronomy 22:24). It was a communal act, intended to purge evil from among the people and serve as a deterrent to others. The execution was typically carried out by the community, with the witnesses of the crime casting the first stones (Deuteronomy 17:7).

The stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is a significant event recorded in the New Testament, illustrating the early persecution of the Church. Stephen, one of the seven deacons chosen by the apostles to serve the early Christian community, was "a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). He was known for performing great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8).

Stephen's ministry and powerful preaching, particularly his defense before the Sanhedrin, led to his arrest. Accused of blasphemy against Moses and God, Stephen was brought before the Jewish council. In his defense, Stephen recounted Israel's history, emphasizing their repeated rejection of God's messengers and culminating in their betrayal and murder of the Righteous One, Jesus Christ (Acts 7:52).

The climax of Stephen's speech came when he declared, "Look, I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). This proclamation incited the council to fury, and they dragged him out of the city to stone him. As Stephen was being stoned, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit," and with his last breath, he prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:59-60). His prayer echoes the forgiveness Jesus extended to His executioners, highlighting Stephen's Christ-like character even in death.

The stoning of Stephen marked a turning point in the early Church, as it led to a great persecution against the believers in Jerusalem, causing them to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). This dispersion contributed to the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, fulfilling Jesus' command to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Present at Stephen's execution was Saul of Tarsus, who later became the Apostle Paul. Saul's approval of Stephen's death (Acts 8:1) and his subsequent conversion highlight the transformative power of God's grace and the profound impact of Stephen's martyrdom on the early Church.Acts 7:59
And they stoned Stephen, calling on God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Nave's Topical Index

St. John did not Absolutely Forbid that Prayer Should be Made for ...
... [2984] And we see the result of this prayer in the case of the Apostle, for Paul,
who kept the garments of those who were stoning Stephen, not long after ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter x st john did.htm

1 John iii. 18-Sep
... Disciples who came after Him have done this. [2250] Men were stoning Stephen, and
he knelt down and said, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." [2251] He ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily v 1 john iii.htm

The Death of the Master and the Death of the Servant
... 'They stoned Stephen.' Now, our ordinary English idea of the manner of the Jewish
punishment of stoning, is a very inadequate and mistaken one. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the death of the master.htm

Laymen Called to the Field of Missions.
... This persecution began with the stoning of Stephen, and raged with such violence,
that it is said that all the church at Jerusalem were scattered abroad ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter v laymen called to.htm

Of Some who are Mad Enough to Suppose that the Books were ...
... after the mission of the Holy Spirit from heaven, after many Jews had been converted
and had shown marvellous faith, after the stoning of Stephen the deacon ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter x of some who are.htm

Challenge by Caiaphas.
... The date tallies with the stoning of Stephen, to which there is no allusion. The
whole bears abundant marks of "manipulation" of the New-Testament record.--R.]. ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xliv challenge by caiaphas.htm

The Church of Jerusalem and the Labors of Peter.
... The stoning of Stephen was the signal for a general persecution, and thus at the
same time for the spread of Christianity over all Palestine and the region ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 25 the church of.htm

"The Kingdom of God is at Hand"
... Then by the stoning of Stephen the Jews finally sealed their rejection of the gospel;
the disciples who were scattered abroad by persecution "went everywhere ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 23 the kingdom of.htm

Deified and Stoned
... began the stoning; but no doubt the mob, which is always cruel, because it needs
strong excitement, lent willing hands. Did Paul remember Stephen, as the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/deified and stoned.htm

Paul Before his Conversion.
... Paul was still a "youth" (neanias, Acts 7:58) at the stoning of Stephen, which probably
took place in 37; and although this term is likewise vaguely used, yet ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 30 paul before his.htm

What does the Bible say about stoning? | GotQuestions.org

The stoning of Stephen - Why were the Jews allowed to stone Stephen but had to go through Pilate to kill Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Stoning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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