King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Many of them came to trust, as did a number of prominent Greek women and not a few Greek men.
Berean Standard Bible:
As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men.
American Standard Version:
Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Therefore{G3767}{G3303} many{G4183} of{G1537} them{G846} believed{G4100}; also{G2532} of honourable{G2158} women{G1135} which{G3588} were Greeks{G1674}, and{G2532} of men{G435}, not{G3756} a few{G3641}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Ephesians 5:14
- Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Acts 13:50
- But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
Acts 14:1
- ¶ And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
1 Corinthians 1:26
- For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:
Acts 17:2
- And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Acts 17:4
- And 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.
James 1:10
- But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Acts 17:12
Acts 17:12 is a verse set within the broader context of the Apostle Paul's missionary journey to Thessalonica, a significant city in Macedonia (modern-day Greece). In this verse, the writer of Acts, traditionally understood to be Luke, reports the outcome of Paul's preaching in the city's synagogue. The verse specifically highlights that as a result of Paul's persuasive teachings about Jesus being the Messiah, a number of Jews and Greeks, including prominent Greek women and men, came to believe in Jesus Christ.
The themes present in this verse include the spread of Christianity beyond its Jewish roots to the wider Greco-Roman world, the effectiveness of Paul's evangelistic message, and the inclusive nature of the early Christian community, which welcomed both Jews and Gentiles, men and women, without distinction. The conversion of "honourable women" is particularly noteworthy, as it suggests that the gospel message had an appeal across social strata, including those of higher social standing, which was unusual in a society that often marginalized women, especially in religious matters.
Historically, this verse reflects the early Church's growing pains and successes as it navigated cultural and religious diversity. Thessalonica was a key hub along the Via Egnatia, a major Roman road, which facilitated the spread of Christianity. The verse also foreshadows the tensions that arose between the new Christian converts and the established Jewish community, as well as with the wider pagan society, which would eventually lead to Paul's departure from the city amidst opposition and accusations. Acts 17:12 thus captures a moment of significant growth for the early Church, as well as the challenges that accompanied the rapid expansion of the Christian faith in the first century.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G3767
There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὖν
Transliteration: oûn
Pronunciation: oon
Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore. - Strong's Number: G3303
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μέν
Transliteration: mén
Pronunciation: men
Description: a primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with δέ (this one, the former, etc.):--even, indeed, so, some, truly, verily. Often compounded with other particles in an intensive or asseverative sense. - Strong's Number: G4183
There are 331 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πολύς
Transliteration: polýs
Pronunciation: pol-oos'
Description: including the forms from the alternate ; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly. Compare πλεῖστος, πλείων. - Strong's Number: G1537
There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκ
Transliteration: ek
Pronunciation: ex
Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G4100
There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πιστεύω
Transliteration: pisteúō
Pronunciation: pist-yoo'-o
Description: from πίστις; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G2158
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εὐσχήμων
Transliteration: euschḗmōn
Pronunciation: yoo-skhay'-mone
Description: from εὖ and σχῆμα; well-formed, i.e. (figuratively) decorous, noble (in rank):--comely, honourable. - Strong's Number: G1135
There are 200 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γυνή
Transliteration: gynḗ
Pronunciation: goo-nay'
Description: probably from the base of γίνομαι; a woman; specially, a wife:--wife, woman. - Strong's Number: G3588
There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὁ
Transliteration: ho
Pronunciation: to
Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc. - Strong's Number: G1674
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἑλληνίς
Transliteration: Hellēnís
Pronunciation: hel-lay-nis'
Description: feminine of Ἕλλην; a Grecian (i.e. non-Jewish) woman:--Greek. - Strong's Number: G435
There are 279 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀνήρ
Transliteration: anḗr
Pronunciation: an'-ayr
Description: a primary word (compare ἄνθρωπος); a man (properly as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος. - Strong's Number: G3641
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὀλίγος
Transliteration: olígos
Pronunciation: ol-ee'-gos
Description: of uncertain affinity; puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat:--+ almost, brief(-ly), few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.