Who were the 'they' that cast Stephen out of the city and stoned him in Acts 7?
The 'they' were the Jews. They cast Stephen out of the city and stoned him, which was the Jewish method of capital punishment. Saul of Tarsus was present, consenting to Stephen's death and, in the stronger Greek sense, promoting it.
Les teaches that in Acts 7 the 'they' must not be forgotten: it was the Jews. They ran on Stephen with one accord, cast him out of the city, and stoned him, which was the Jewish way of putting people to death—their capital punishment. They laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. Les points out this is the first time someone other than the twelve and the elders of Israel is introduced in the Acts account: Saul of Tarsus, who will later fill the pages of the biggest part of the New Testament. As Stephen was being stoned, he asked the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit and cried out that this sin not be laid to their charge, then fell asleep. In chapter 8, Saul of Tarsus was consenting; Les suggests the Greek makes it stronger—he was actually promoting Stephen's death. Great persecution arose against the believing Jews at Jerusalem. By chapter 9, Les explains, there is a parting of the ways in God's program: until then God had dealt with His covenant people, Israel, but now He will deviate from the Jew-only concept and make a tremendous statement to Saul of Tarsus.