Acts17
World English Bible · Public Domain
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
2 Paul, as was his custom, went in to them; and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas: of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.
5 But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people.
6 When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
7 whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!”
8 The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things.
9 When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
12 Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men.
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes.
14 Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there.
15 But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.
17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.
18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
19 They took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is, which you are speaking about?
20 For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean.”
21 Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.
22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things.
23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, I announce to you.
24 The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands.
25 He isn’t served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath and all things.
26 He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
28 ‘For in him we live, move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’
29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man.
30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,
31 because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”
33 Thus Paul went out from among them.
34 But certain men joined with him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
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Acts 17Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Acts 17. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Paul at Thessalonica. (1–9). The noble conduct of the Bereans. (10–15). Paul at Athens. (16–21). He preaches there. (22–31). The scornful conduct of the Athenians. (32–34).
vv1-9
The drift and scope of Paul's preaching and arguing, was to prove that Jesus is the Christ. He must needs suffer for us, because he could not otherwise purchase our redemption for us; and he must needs have risen again, because he could not otherwise apply the redemption to us. We are to preach concerning Jesus that he is Christ; therefore we may hope to be saved by him, and are bound to be ruled by him. The unbelieving Jews were angry, because the apostles preached to the Gentiles, that they might be saved. How strange it is, that men should grudge others the privileges they will not themselves accept! Neither rulers nor people need be troubled at the increase of real Christians, even though turbulent spirits should make religion the pretext for evil designs. Of such let us beware, from such let us withdraw, that we may show a desire to act aright in society, while we claim our right to worship God according to our consciences.
vv10-15
The Jews in Berea applied seriously to the study of the word preached unto them. They not only heard Paul preach on the sabbath, but daily searched the Scriptures, and compared what they read with the facts related to them. The doctrine of Christ does not fear inquiry; advocates for his cause desire no more than that people will fully and fairly examine whether things are so or not. Those are truly noble, and likely to be more and more so, who make the Scriptures their rule, and consult them accordingly. May all the hearers of the gospel become like those of Berea, receiving the word with readiness of mind, and searching the Scriptures daily, whether the things preached to them are so.
vv16-21
Athens was then famed for polite learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; but none are more childish and superstitious, more impious, or more credulous, than some persons, deemed eminent for learning and ability. It was wholly given to idolatry. The zealous advocate for the cause of Christ will be ready to plead for it in all companies, as occasion offers. Most of these learned men took no notice of Paul; but some, whose principles were the most directly contrary to Christianity, made remarks upon him. The apostle ever dwelt upon two points, which are indeed the principal doctrines of Christianity, Christ and a future state; Christ our way, and heaven our end. They looked on this as very different from the knowledge for many ages taught and professed at Athens; they desire to know more of it, but only because it was new and strange. They led him to the place where judges sat who inquired into such matters. They asked about Paul's doctrine, not because it was good, but because it was new. Great talkers are always busy-bodies. They spend their time in nothing else, and a very uncomfortable account they have to give of their time who thus spend it. Time is precious, and we are concerned to employ it well, because eternity depends upon it, but much is wasted in unprofitable conversation.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
διοδεύω (diodeúō): to travel through
Ἀμφίπολις (Amphípolis): a city surrounded by a river; Amphipolis, a place in Macedonia
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἀπολλωνία (Apollōnía): from G622 (ἀπόλλυμι)); Apollonia, a place in Macedonia
ἔρχομαι (érchomai): to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
εἰς (eis): to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Θεσσαλονίκη (Thessaloníkē): Thessalonice, a place in Asia Minor
ὅπου (hópou): what(-ever) where, i.e. at whichever spot
ἦν (ēn): I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
Cross References
Acts 17Jesus and Paul both reasoned from the Old Testament Scriptures to prove the necessary suffering of Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
The accusation of setting up "another king, one Jesus" echoes the charge against Jesus before Caesar.
Supported by JFB
Like the Bereans, all claims must be tested against the law and the testimony of Scripture.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Paul consistently went to the local Jewish synagogues first, both in Thessalonica and in Berea.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Paul follows Jesus' own model of opening and expounding the Scriptures concerning the suffering Messiah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Sincere willingness to do God's will corresponds to the Bereans' readiness of mind to receive truth.
Supported by JFB
Paul's initial distress over Athens' idolatry directly motivates his speech on Mars' Hill.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Paul's sermon to pagans at Lystra matches his Athenian approach, pointing to the Creator God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Stephen's temple speech is echoed by Paul's declaration that God does not dwell in man-made temples.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Alludes to God setting the boundaries of the nations according to His divine sovereign decree.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels Paul's assertion at Lystra that God previously allowed nations to walk in their own ways.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul commends the Thessalonian church for sounding forth the word throughout Macedonia and Achaia.
Supported by JFB
Paul's custom of entering the synagogue on the Sabbath mirrors Jesus' lifelong practice in Galilee.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul recalls preaching at Thessalonica with much contention immediately after being mistreated at Philippi.
Supported by JFB