Raymond E. Brown (An Introduction to the New Testament) says that we can never verify the existence or martyrdom of Stephen, in which case, Saul's approval becomes a moot point.
Roman Catholic AnswerStephen, who was one of the first deacons ordained in the Church was preaching to the people and pointing out how the Jews had always resisted the Holy Spirit, and killed all of the prophets. He was calling them to account for their wicked behavior and that of their fathers when they had received more than any other people from God. Saul, who was a very zealous Jew, was horrified both at the preaching and what he considered heresy - belief in Our Blessed Lord, so when the crowd went to stone Stephen , Saul approved, being zealous for the good name of God and the Jews.Saul approved of Stephen's stoning and witnessed it without intervening. He likely felt vindicated in his persecution of early Christians and emboldened in his efforts to suppress the spread of Christianity.
During the stoning of Stephen, according to the book of acts, “ the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul,” who later converted.
Paul. Saul, later known as Paul.
The Jewish elders, with the permission and participation of Saul of Tarsus (later known as Paul), were responsible for the stoning of St. Stephen.
Saul, later known as Paul, watched the stoning of Stephen with coats piled at his feet as mentioned in Acts 7:58. He approved of Stephen's death and later became a prominent figure in the early Christian church after his conversion on the road to Damascus.
Saul, later to be known as the apostle Paul following his conversion, was a witness to the stoning of Stephen.
Stephen's death was consented by a group of Jewish religious leaders who were angered by his teachings. His execution by stoning was witnessed by a young man named Saul (who later became the apostle Paul), who held the clothes of those who were stoning Stephen.
Stephen was stoned to death. It is a very dramatic account of the first follower of Christ to die for his faith. During the stoning Stephen was blessed with a vision of Christ at the right hand of the Father in heaven. Paul, the missionary, was at the stoning. In fact, I believe he supervised the stoning. At the time Paul was called Saul, and he was one of the most ardent persecutors of Jesus' followers. Later Saul was to encounter Christ. He became a follower of Christ and his name was changed to Paul.
Saul the Rabbi, also known as the Apostle Paul. Acts 7,8.
The Stoning of Saint Stephen was created in 1625.
The Apostle Paul (formerly known as Saul) witnessed the martyrdom of St. Stephen. He approved of Stephen's execution and went on to become one of the most influential figures in spreading Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.
Saul (later known as the apostle Paul) was the man who gave approval for Stephen's death by stoning. This event is recorded in the Bible in the book of Acts, chapter 7.