The Martyr's Fire Lights Others to Martyrdom

Stephen's death accomplished what his living words could not. Among those who reverently buried the martyr were devout men—not disciples, but Hellenistic Jews, perhaps from the very synagogue whose members had disputed with Stephen and dragged him before the council. These were outsiders to the faith, yet they were moved to honor his corpse with careful burial. Maclaren observes with striking force: "His words or death may have touched them, as many a time the martyr's fire has lighted others to the martyr's faith."…