Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 8:2

2 And devout men carried Stephen to hss burial, and made great lamentation over him.

It was an argument that they were devout (Religious) indeed, that they durst amongst such a multitude of persecutors, and furious Zealots, own their esteem for St. Stephen; It was piacular amongst the Iews, to touch the dead Corps of such an one as was put to Death for blasphemy; and these perform such Funeral rites for him, as were used for such onely as were of note and Eminency. As the Iews were wont to do at the Funeral, especially of Eminent persons; thus it was done at Iacobs Interment, Gen. 50. ult. and thus had been done more lately at Lazarus's Funeral, Iohn 11. even by our Saviour himself, ver. 3[illegible: 1 letter]. Which lamentation was the greater, because of the Churches loss at such a time.

Marginal references: Gen. 23.2. 2 Sam. 3.31.