8:2 {2} And devout men {a} carried Stephen [to his burial], and made great lamentation over him.
(2) The godly mourn for Steven after his death, and bury him, showing in this an example of singular faith and charity: but no man prays to him.
(a) Amongst all the duties of charity which the godly perform, there is no mention made of enshrining relics.
8:2 Devout men carried Stephen [to his burial]. Not disciples, but pious Jews, deeply impressed by the gospel, but not yet brought to its acceptance. They were devout like Cornelius the Gentile before his conversion (Ac 10:2).
Made great lamentation over him. They made their protest against the deed by a public funeral with all the usual Jewish demonstrations of mourning.
8:2 Devout men - Who feared God more than persecution. And yet were they not of little faith? Else they would not have made so great lamentation.
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.
