81 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death . And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem , and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria , except the apostles . 2 Some devout men buried Stephen , and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church , entering house after house , and dragging off men and women , he would put them in prison .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 8:1-3
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.