Acts 8:3

The Greek word translated "ravaging" (lumainomai) occurs only here in the New Testament. The Septuagint translators used it in Psalms 80:13 to describe wild boars destroying a vineyard. In English we use "ravaging" as a synonym for raping. This is how Saul began behaving. The verb is evidently an inceptive imperfect indicating the beginning of the action. Saul was a leader of the persecution in Jerusalem (Acts 9:1-2; Acts 9:29; Acts 22:4-5; Acts 26:11). Evidently Stephen’s execution fueled Saul’s hatred for the Christians and resulted in his increasing antagonism toward them. He not only went from house to house arresting Christians (cf. Acts 2:46; Acts 5:42) but also carried his purges into the synagogues (cf. Acts 6:9) and tried to force believers to blaspheme there (Acts 22:19; Acts 26:11).