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Acts 17

1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

Commentary · verse 1

They passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia and ended up in Thessalonica. This was the church to whom Paul wrote the epistles named 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians.

2and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures,

2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Commentary · verse 2

Paul's custom was to spend three Sabbaths in the synagogue discussing, with logic, what we know as the Old Testament. Whether this was every day for two to three weeks or only on the Sabbaths, this verse did not state.

3opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is the Christ.

3Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

Commentary · verse 3

The discussion concerned what the Old Testament stated about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ: The Gospel.

4And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

4And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

Commentary · verse 4

"Not a few" meant many…because of Paul's "reasoning," many people believed.

5But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people.

6And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

5But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

6And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

Commentary · verses 5-6

It was being said that Paul and Silas had turned the world upside down, not just the city. Again, all of this was done because the Jews (people who held to the WHAT of the Law of Moses) were not humble enough to consider another perspective on their beliefs.

7whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Cæsar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

8And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

9And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea: who when they were come thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

7Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

8And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

9And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Commentary · verses 7-10

Paul and Silas were sent away at night to Beroea. During the second missionary journey, this was the furthest point from their origin: Antioch.

11Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.

11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Commentary · verse 11

Beroea had nobler men than did Thessalonica because they searched the scriptures daily to test Paul's teachings. The Beroeans sought understanding.

12Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few.

13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes.

12Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

Commentary · verses 12-13

Again, when the Jews heard that Paul was in Beroea, they went there and stirred up the people.

14And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.

15But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.

14And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

15And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

Commentary · verses 14-15

Paul went to Athens while Silas and Timothy were in Beroea. Silas and Timothy were summoned to Athens to be with Paul.

16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols.

16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

Commentary · verse 16

While Paul waited for Silas and Timothy to arrive in Athens, his spirit motivated him to speak because he saw all the idols.

17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him.

18And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

17Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

18Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

Commentary · verses 17-18

These philosophers believed in satisfying the pleasures of the flesh above all else. Paul's emphasis of the power of the spirit over the flesh would have been in conflict with these philosophers' beliefs.

19And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by thee?

20For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

21(Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.)

19And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

20For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

21(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

Commentary · verses 19-21

These philosophers loved to hear new ideas, most likely because they dealt with the theoretical and none of their explanations were lacking contradictions. Consequently, they were open to hearing new theories. However, Paul's belief was based on a real event.

Commentary · verses 22-31

Verses 22-31: Paul's Sermon on Mars' Hill.

22And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are very religious.

23For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you.

22Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

Commentary · verse 23

Paul used the Athenians' beliefs to reach them for Christ, Paul adjusted to them. They had an altar to an unknown God because they knew that everything had to be explainable, yet all of their theories were contradictory. Paul praised them for their pursuit of answers and then stated he would be able to supply the answer.

24The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; 27that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: 28for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Commentary · verse 28

Paul's opening sentence established he was speaking of the First Cause: the God before everything that physically existed. Paul stated facts about God and stated effects of these causes. He concluded this first sentence showing the agreement between him and their poets.

We have seen that sermons in the Book of Acts followed a two-step approach:

  • 1st Step: The premise (effect/WHAT) was presented along with the reason (cause/WHY).
  • 2nd Step: Support from the scriptures was presented.

Here, Paul adjusted the 2nd Step and referenced "their scriptures" (poets) for support. Notice, Paul was helping these people by discussing a topic they liked to discuss. To this point, Paul had not preached, he had not told them what to do by pointing them to God.

29Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man.

29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

Commentary · verse 29

Paul built on the accepted premise of his first sentence. He established that we should not worship a spiritual God with physical things made by man. Notice, this was a major theme of the Book of Exodus, yet Paul was able to reach the same conclusion without referencing the Second Book of Moses. Notice also, this was preaching. Paul told them what they ought to do and pointed them to God. Even Paul did not begin by pointing people to God. Paul first helped people, then pointed them to God. Next, Paul needed to motivate his audience towards a new action.

30The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: 31inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Commentary · verse 31

Paul stated the people now needed to repent because they were no longer ignorant. Paul supported this premise with something different than scripture or their "scripture." Paul stated an actual physical occurrence: God raised Jesus from the dead.

Doctrines on this passage

32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again.

32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

Commentary · verse 32

When they heard this different 2nd Step (resurrection of the dead), some people mocked Paul but some wanted to hear more.

33Thus Paul went out from among them.

33So Paul departed from among them.

Commentary · verse 33

Paul preached a three sentence sermon, and left them wanting more.

34But certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

34Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Commentary · verse 34

However, some would not leave Paul.

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