{Was consenting} ((886e) suneudok(936e)). Periphrastic imperfect of
suneudoke(935c), a late double compound (sun, eu, doke(935c)) that well
describes Saul's pleasure in the death (anairesis, taking off,
only here in the N.T., though old word) of Stephen. For the verb
see on 烊u 23:32|. Paul himself will later confess that he felt
so ( Ac 22:20 ), coolly applauding the murder of Stephen, a
heinous sin ( Ro 1:32 ). It is a gruesome picture. Chapter 7
should have ended here. {On that day} (en ekein(8869) t(8869) h(886d)er(8369)).
On that definite day, that same day as in  2:41 . {A great
persecution} (di(9367)mos megas). It was at first persecution from
the Sadducees, but this attack on Stephen was from the Pharisees
so that both parties are now united in a general persecution that
deserves the adjective "great." See on 烘t 13:21| for the old
word di(9367)mos from di(936b)(935c), to chase, hunt, pursue, persecute.
{Were all scattered abroad} (pantes diespar(8873)an). Second aorist
passive indicative of diaspeir(935c), to scatter like grain, to
disperse, old word, in the N.T. only in  Ac 8:1,4  11:19 .
{Except the apostles} (pl(886e) t(936e) apostol(936e)). Preposition pl(886e)
(adverb from pleon, more) with the ablative often in Luke. It
remains a bit of a puzzle why the Pharisees spared the apostles.
Was it due to the advice of Gamaliel in  Ac 5:34-40 ? Or was it
the courage of the apostles? Or was it a combination of both with
the popularity of the apostles in addition?