Acts17

Paul and Silas preach in Thessalonica, facing intense opposition from unbelieving Jews who stir up a mob, forcing them to Berea. In Berea, the people are more receptive, diligently searching the scriptures, but again, the Thessalonian Jews cause trouble. Paul then travels to Athens, where his spirit is stirred by the city's idolatry. He addresses the Areopagus, declaring the 'Unknown God' as the Creator and calling for repentance based on God's appointed judgment through a resurrected man, leading to some belief amidst mockery.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Paul and Silas Preach in Thessalonica

1
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, ​
3
Opening 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. ​
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.
5
But 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. ​
6
And 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; ​
7
Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. ​
8
And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
9
And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

The Ministry in Berea

10
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11
These 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. ​
12
Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
13
But 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. ​
14
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
15
And 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. ​

Paul in Athens: Confronting Idolatry

16
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. ​
17
Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
18
Then 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. ​
19
And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? ​
20
For 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.) ​

Paul’s Address on the Areopagus

22
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. ​
23
For 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. ​
24
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; ​
25
Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26
And 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; ​
27
That 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:
28
For 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. ​
29
Forasmuch 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. ​
30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: ​
31
Because 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. ​

The Mixed Response to Paul’s Sermon

32
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33
So Paul departed from among them.
34
Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. ​

Study Notes for Acts 17

Verse 2

Paul consistently followed the pattern of preaching first in the local synagogue, reasoning (dialoguing or debating) from the established Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament).

Verse 3

Paul’s central argument was that the Messiah (Christ) must suffer and rise, fulfilling prophecy, and that Jesus of Nazareth was this promised Messiah. This suffering Messiah concept was a stumbling block for many Jews (1 Cor. 1:23).

Verse 5

The unbelieving Jews, motivated by envy over Paul’s success, utilized disgruntled citizens ('lewd fellows of the baser sort,' or marketplace loafers) to incite a riot, a common tactic of opposition in Acts.

Verse 6

The charge that they 'turned the world upside down' (or 'agitated the inhabited earth') confirms the widespread impact of the Gospel message and the resulting social disruption it caused by challenging established religious and political norms.

Verse 7

This accusation was political, alleging treason against Rome. Claiming Jesus as 'another king' directly challenged Caesar’s ultimate authority, making the Christian movement a legal threat.

Verse 11

The Bereans are commended as 'more noble' because they displayed two essential qualities: a willingness to receive the word immediately, and a commitment to diligently verify Paul’s message against the Scriptures.

Verse 13

The persistent persecution initiated by the Thessalonian Jews demonstrates their deep hostility toward the Gospel and their determination to suppress Paul's ministry across geographical boundaries.

Verse 15

Paul’s journey to Athens marks a significant transition, moving from the synagogues and Jewish centers of ministry to the intellectual heartland of the Greek world.

Verse 16

Paul’s 'spirit was stirred' (literally, 'sharply provoked') by the pervasive idolatry he witnessed. Athens, though a center of philosophy, was filled with countless images and altars dedicated to various gods.

Verse 18

Epicureans denied divine providence, while Stoics emphasized reason and fate. Both schools found Paul's message of resurrection and judgment strange, calling him a 'babbler' (a seed-picker, one who collects scraps of ideas).

Verse 19

The Areopagus (Mars' Hill) was the location of the city council (the highest court) and the traditional site for public debate, making it an ideal venue for Paul to present his doctrine before the city's intellectual elite.

Verse 21

Luke provides this parenthetical observation to explain Athenian culture: they were obsessed with intellectual novelty and gossip, valuing the process of debate more than the search for truth.

Verse 22

Paul begins his address by acknowledging their deep religious devotion (often translated 'very religious' rather than 'too superstitious'), using it as a starting point for dialogue rather than immediate confrontation.

Verse 23

By referencing the altar 'TO THE UNKNOWN GOD,' Paul masterfully bridges the gap between their polytheism and the monotheism he preaches, claiming to reveal the deity they inadvertently sought to appease.

Verse 24

This verse directly challenges the Athenian worldview, contrasting the transcendent Creator God (Lord of heaven and earth) with the localized, house-bound idols and temples they relied upon (a quote from Isaiah 66:1-2).

Verse 26

The doctrine of 'one blood' asserts the unity and common origin of all humanity, undermining Greek notions of racial superiority and demonstrating God's sovereign control over history and geography.

Verse 28

Paul quotes two Greek poets (Epimenides of Crete and Aratus) to establish common ground, showing that even their own intellectual tradition recognized humanity’s dependence on and kinship with the divine.

Verse 29

If humans are God's intelligent offspring, the divine nature cannot be reduced to lifeless, man-made images of gold, silver, or stone, providing a logical conclusion to the argument against idolatry.

Verse 30

The 'times of this ignorance' refers to the period before the full revelation of Christ. God now commands universal repentance because the judgment is imminent and the standard of accountability has been raised.

Verse 31

The climax of the sermon introduces the doctrine of future judgment administered by Jesus. The resurrection of Christ serves as the ultimate proof (assurance) of Jesus' identity and future judicial role.

Verse 34

Despite the mixed reaction, some converts were made. Dionysius the Areopagite was a member of the elite council (Areopagus court), signifying that Paul’s message reached the highest levels of Athenian society.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options