The stoning of Stephen, the execution of James (the brother of John) and the seizing of Peter with a view to his, also, execution ; all happened in the aftermath of Jesus' crucifixion at the hands of the Romans, facilitated by the Jews, and in the aftermath of Jesus' death as he voluntarily expired.
Until then, they feared the people (who would have urged the people) ; and they feared the authority of Rome, as yet untested against Jesus and his considerable following in Judaea. Stoning was a theory, but not a real option. Jesus, himself, had once intervened and prevented a stoning, it should be remembered.
The multitudes proved themselves fickle. They were feared. They were manipulated. But they could not be trusted to do the right thing at the right time.
The world seeth me no more, said Jesus and only his own, individually, plus several hundred brethren at one particular time, saw him again. To the world, he had disappeared, entombed, then, so it was slanderously rumoured, his body had been stolen.
Multitudes had followed, five thousand one time, then four thousand another, then less, then a time when every man went to his house and Jesus went to the mount of Olives, overnight.
Then a gathering, and an anointing for burial which one of his own followers criticised as a 'waste' of money.
Pharisees and Saduccees, normally enemies, less strict Herodians, doctors of the law and scribes who considered themselves the custodians of scripture, all overlapped in their resistance to the one born king of the Jews who, yet, made no attempt to forcibly take the throne, the temple and secular power over the people.
Many were disappointed who had assumed that Messiah would restore the natural kingdom of Israel. This they referred to as 'redemption' but a far greater redemption had taken place, did they have an eye (of faith) to see what had really occurred in the three hours of darkness as the crucified suffered ; not only crucifixion, but the stripes necessary from God to satisfy his own righteousness on account of the sins of many.
Political manoeuverings (between disparate factions) personal relationships (such as Pilate and Herod) diabolic influences (over, then within, Judas) all conspired together as the unstoppable power of God, which would eventually 'turn the world upside down', continued.
God's purposes would be fulfilled in a way undreamt of by men and even by spiritual powers in heavenly places. Had they known what God would do, they would never - never - have crucified the Lord of glory.
But their greed, their hatred, their unspirituality, their self-righteousness and their motivation (an indwelling spirit which was both a liar and a murderer from the beginning) drove them onwards . . . .
. . . until, eventually, all came to a head and they came out in the dark, aided by a bribed traitor, and forcibly arrested Jesus without evidence, without a witness and without proper authority.
The Son of man (that is to say The Son - come - of man) was betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Those who instigated these matters were not in control of themselves, that they might decide 'Let's try and stone him.' It was neither a calm decision nor a properly arranged and authorised procedure. Powers in the heavens (not the third heaven but the second heaven) orchestrated this dreadful event. Men were mere pawns in this war between heaven and earth.