Acts 8:3

As for. Rather, “but.” This verse continues the narrative begun in verse 1.

Made havoc. Greek lumaind, “to ravage,” “to devastate,” “to rain.” The word is used in the LXX of Ps. 80:13 of the ravages of a wild boar. The tense used here may imply continued persecution. Paul states that he “persecuted this way unto the death” (Acts 22:4; cf. ch. 26:10). There seemed, as he afterward confessed (ch. 26:11), a kind of insane ferocity in his violence.

Church. In Jerusalem. See on verse 1; cf. ch. 26:10.

Every house. It appears from ch. 26:11 that Saul first entered the synagogues in search of victims, and then pursued the Christians from house to house. These houses may also have been their meeting places.

Haling. That is, hauling, or dragging, them into court.

Men and women. The fact that women were also among the sufferers suggests that they were prominent in the church (cf. on Luke 8:2, 3; Acts 1:14). Throughout the history of the church they have proved steadfast under persecution.

Prison. That is, to await judicial action. The numbers were too great for all to be brought to an immediate trial.