...and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8
The persecution served a purpose-SCATTERING abroad...
And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at
Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea
and Samaria, ... Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Acts 8:1,4