Definition: And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Acts 22:20. It’s a really important and complex part of what happened after Jesus’s arrest and trial. Here's a simple explanation: What it means: This verse describes what happened after Stephen was brutally killed. It says that the speaker (who is identified as Paul) was present when Stephen was executed, and he actively participated in the act of killing him. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed…” – This means “when the blood of your martyr Stephen was spilled.” This is a very direct and serious statement about the tragedy. "...I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death..." - This is where it gets tricky. Paul isn’t saying he enjoyed or wanted Stephen to die. Instead, he's stating that he assisted in killing him. He was physically present and offered his consent. "...and kept the raiment of them that slew him." - This is a crucial part. “The raiment of them who slew him” refers to the clothing or garments worn by the people who carried out the execution. So, Paul essentially said he stayed in his robe, which was the uniform they were wearing when they killed Stephen. What it’s about – It's a complex situation: This verse is incredibly significant because it shows: Paul’s willingness to participate in violence: It demonstrates that even someone who had initially preached about Jesus's death and sacrifice was willing to take part in the act of killing him. His role as a witness: It highlights Paul's crucial role in leading the Jewish people to believe in Jesus, and he took responsibility for being present when this happened. A shift in his perspective: It shows a significant change in Paul’s understanding of what was right and wrong. He started preaching about Jesus's death as a way to save people from sin, but this verse reveals that he began to understand the severity of the situation. Important Note: This is a controversial part of Paul’s story. The New Testament generally portrays him as being deeply troubled by what happened and actively trying to stop it. However, scholars believe this passage was written under immense pressure and reflects his internal struggle with the events. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific part of this verse in more detail? Discuss the context of this passage within Acts 22? Talk about what this verse might be trying to say about Paul’s character or his relationship with Jesus?