Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

Symbolism means a lot in Jewish traditions. Those robes were a symbol of identity. It was more than just an issue of righteousness. Once removed, they were no longer the accusers, they were no longer the ones who grabbed Stephen and stoned him to death. They could literally say within their own conscience “It wasn’t me.”

The other part in this was where they laid those robes. They laid them in the care and protection of the one whom they entrusted their identities, the man they answered to on this day. I find this very interesting. While these men obviously new the law and judgment, they still placed their trust in a man. Here is that example of tradition where one man is responsible for the protection of their identity and they showed belief in this man.

So did Stephen.

Acts 7:52-56 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

For this they killed Stephen, but wait, it wasn’t me, see I was with Saul at the time!!

When you stand at the foot of the cross, are your sins up there, or are you someplace else?