Against whom was the persecution that arose about Stephen directed, and how far did Saul pursue them?
The persecution that arose about Stephen was directed against Jewish believers, the church or assembly at Jerusalem. They were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Saul pursued them as far as Damascus, because Jewish believers were also located there.
Les explains that this persecution arose about Stephen and was aimed at these Jewish believers, the assembly at Jerusalem. Saul was consenting to Stephen's death and was glad to see these people condemned, thinking he was doing God a service because he viewed them as imposters and blasphemers. The believers were scattered abroad throughout Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Saul tried to go even up to Damascus because there were Jewish believers there. Les points out that they should have been throughout the Roman Empire under the Great Commission, but they were still in Jerusalem and would not leave even under intense persecution, knowing they had no God-given right to.