Bible Study Acts 17: 1-34

 

Commentary of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Acts 17: 1-34

Text:

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

17 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 [a]explaining and setting before them that the [b]Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is that [c]Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, [d]along with a great multitude of the God-fearing Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews, becoming jealous, taking along some wicked men from the marketplace, and forming a mob, set the city in an uproar. And attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the assembly. 6 And when they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset [e]the world have come here also; 7 [f]and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And they disturbed the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. 9 And when they had received the bond from Jason and the others, they released them.

In Berea

10 And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, [g]and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, [h]for they received the word with [i]great eagerness, [j]examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, along with not a few prominent Greek women and men. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, shaking up and disturbing the crowds. 14 Then immediately the brothers sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.

In Athens

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. 17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present. 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were [k]conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this [l]idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—because he was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took him and brought him [m]to the [n]Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is [o]which you are speaking? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. So we want to know what these things mean.” 21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something newer.)

22 So Paul stood in the midst of the [p]Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to inhabit all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and [q]exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His offspring.’ 29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to suppose that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the craft and thought of man. 30 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge [r]the world in righteousness [s]through a Man whom He determined, having furnished proof to all [t]by raising Him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you [u]again concerning this.” 33 In this way, Paul went out of their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.”

Philippi was located thirty miles northeast of Amphipolis, and Apollonia lay another twenty-five miles down the highway leading to Thessalonica. Paul and his group were keen to reach Thessalonica, which was situated forty miles beyond Apollonia. With a population of 200,000, Thessalonica held the important position of provincial capital of Macedonia.

Verse 2: “And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,”

Paul consistently initiated his ministry in each town by addressing the Jewish community first (as noted in. His initial public engagement in Thessalonica spanned three Sabbaths. Although his public ministry was limited to this period, his overall stay in the city likely extended for a longer duration, possibly four to six months.

Verse 3: “explaining and setting before them that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is that Christ.’”

The Apostle Paul's discourse involved teaching and substantiating, primarily from the Hebrew Scriptures, the requisite suffering of the Messiah. He proclaimed the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ, positing these events as imperative and substantiated within the Old Testament canon. It is noteworthy that in the recorded apostolic messages within the Acts of the Apostles, whether articulated by Peter or Paul, the Resurrection constitutes a central theme.

Verse 4: “And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a great multitude of the God-fearing Greeks and not a few of the leading women.”

Despite their deep-seated biases against Christ and his teachings, some Jews embraced the message. These individuals not only befriended and accompanied Paul and Silas but also submitted themselves to their spiritual guidance. The phrase "joined" indicates a deeper commitment, suggesting they entrusted themselves to the apostles as rightful spiritual leaders, echoing their initial dedication "to the Lord" and then to Paul and Silas "by the will of God."

Verse 5: “But the Jews, becoming jealous, taking along some wicked men from the marketplace, and forming a mob, set the city in an uproar. And attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the assembly.”

The crowd presumed Paul, Silas, and Timothy were lodging at Jason's residence. While little is known about Jason, his Jewish background is likely, given that Jason was a common adopted name among dispersed Jews.

Verse 6: “And when they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also;”

The transformative arrival of early Christianity in the Roman Empire was accurately described as "have upset the world," such was its revolutionary and profound impact. Conversely,it is lamentable that a significant movement towards Jesus Christ and the Bible is absent today in the church. Hypocrisy pervades our nation. Despite professing to be Christian, with leaders and citizens claiming this identity, we are arguably among the most secular nations in history. Modern Christianity frequently lacks authentic depth. Recognizing our need to return to the Scriptures and a vibrant connection with Christ is crucial.

Verse 7: ”and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”

Paul faced a political accusation due to his teachings about God's spiritual kingdom. His adversaries apparently twisted this message to suggest political resistance against Rome. Around this period (A.D. 49–50), Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome because of disturbances supposedly incited by "Chrestus," likely referring to Christ.

Verse 8: “And they disturbed the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things.”

The concerns raised against Paul, Silas, and their group understandably worried the Thessalonian officials. However, the evidence supporting these accusations seems to have been weak, especially since Paul and Silas were absent. Consequently, the officials opted for what they considered a balanced and sensible approach.

Verse 9: “And when they had received the bond from Jason and the others, they released them.”

Having caused unrest, Paul and his associates were compelled to depart Thessalonica because Jason had provided a bond, that is a pledge that he would lose if they created further disturbance.

Verse 10: “And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.”

Thessalonica is located fifty miles northeast of modern Verria, which sits in the foothills of the Olympian Mountains. Berea was a significant town, though situated off a primary thoroughfare.

Verse 11: “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, [c]examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”

In Acts 17:1-34, the narrative highlights the spiritual discernment of the Bereans in Thessalonica. Upon hearing Paul’s teachings, they did not blindly accept his words. Instead, they engaged in a rigorous examination, meticulously comparing Paul’s message to the established scriptures of God’s written Word. This diligent practice set a profound precedent for the Christian church throughout subsequent centuries. The Bereans exemplified a healthy skepticism, coupled with a sincere desire to verify truth, demonstrating that receiving teaching should be an active process of verification rather than passive acceptance. Their method serves as an enduring model for believers, encouraging personal study and careful evaluation of religious instruction against the backdrop of established scriptural authority.

Verse 12: “Therefore many of them believed, along with not a few prominent Greek women and men.”

Dr. Luke's phrasing, "not a few," is utilized again. Why does he not specify that a substantial number of men and honorable women embraced the belief? The statement "Not a few" implies a considerable quantity.

Verse 13: “But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, shaking up and disturbing the crowds.”

Witness the tireless resistance of Satan's followers against the gospel of Christ and the salvation of humanity. This reflects the inherent hostility of the serpent’s offspring towards the woman’s lineage (Genesis 3: 15). Consequently, we should not be surprised if those who persecute us at home also incite persecution elsewhere.

Verse 14: “Then immediately the brothers sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there.”

Continuing his missionary journey, the Apostle Paul proceeds onward without Silas and Timothy, who had previously been traveling alongside him. This separation, whether temporary or otherwise, marks a significant shift in the dynamics of his ministry. He moves forward into new territories, driven by his unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel. Alone, for the moment, Paul faces the challenges and opportunities of the road ahead, relying directly upon God's guidance and strength in this solitary phase of his travels.

Verse 15: “Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.”

Athens, once the vibrant heart of Greek culture, flourished as the cradle of philosophical thought. It was during its peak that legendary figures like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, perhaps history's most impactful philosopher, shaped intellectual discourse. The city also nurtured Epicurus, the mind behind Epicureanism, and Zeno, who established Stoicism. These two philosophical schools held sway in that era.

Verse 16: “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.:”

Athens, a prominent Greek city, boasted the port of Piraeus on the Aegean.  Its peak of cultural and architectural achievement occurred during Pericles' rule in the fifth century b.c. (495–429 b.c.), marked by the construction of the Parthenon and other grand edifices. As the foremost city in Greece, Athens thrived with Piraeus facilitating maritime trade. Throughout the Parthenon and other Acropolis temples, along with the city's public, commercial, and religious structures below, numerous statues depicting various gods and goddesses were present.

Verse 17: “So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present.”

Surrounded by Athens' influential idolatry, Paul felt compelled to share Christ's message. He regularly addressed both Jews and devout Gentiles in the synagogue on the Sabbath and engaged with anyone in the marketplace throughout the week.  Just as Jeremiah experienced (Jer 20:9), Paul was driven by an intense inner conviction, a "word of God" burning within him, leaving him no choice but to speak out.

Verse 18: “And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, ‘What would this idle babbler wish to say?’ Others, ‘He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,’—because he was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.”

Epicureanism, founded by Epicurus (342–270 b.c.), set forth pleasure and liberation from pain, passions, and fears as life's ultimate aims. Conversely, Stoicism, established by Zeno of Cyprus (340–265 b.c.), emphasized living in accordance with nature, relying on reason and self-sufficiency. Though differing in philosophy, both schools prioritized achieving inner peace. Zeno's theological viewpoint identified God pantheistically as the "world-soul."A "babbler" was a derogatory label, referring to someone who gathered scraps or sold various ideas.

Verse 19: “And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is which you are speaking?’”

The Areopagus, also known as Mars' Hill, was a significant location near the Acropolis. Initially, it served as the meeting place for an ancient council. This council evolved into the city council of Athens. Under Roman rule, the Areopagus functioned as a court responsible for overseeing morals, education, and religious matters. During Paul's era, the court's proceedings were held in the Royal Portico, situated in the marketplace beneath the Acropolis.

Verse 20: “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. So we want to know what these things mean.”

The Athenians considered Paul's teachings as bizarre and unexpected, a stark contrast to their traditional philosophies. They described it as an unfamiliar doctrine, the purpose of which was unclear. "For you are bringing some strange things to our ears," they claimed. This suggests that despite their vast library, they were either ignorant of or disregarded the books of Moses and the prophets, for the message of Christ seemed completely foreign and unheard of to them.

Verse 21: “(Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something newer.)”

The people of Athens, both natives and foreign residents, were known for an insatiable curiosity. Their primary pastime was engaging in discussions about novel ideas and information. This explains their interest in Paul's teachings, not necessarily for their inherent goodness, but simply for their novelty. This portrayal of the Athenians, though unflattering, is one that many others seem to emulate.

Verse 22: “So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.’”

The word translated "religious" is literally "in fear of Gods." Paul starts his discourse with a formal address, "Men of Athens," before observing their profound religiousness, a trait he describes as being "you are very religious in all respects."  While often labeled as "superstitious," his actual meaning is more accurately understood as acknowledging their excessive devotion. Athens was overflowing with idols representing a vast array of deities, both minor and major, reflecting the extensive Greek pantheon and their tendency to have a god for every conceivable aspect of life. This unwelcome influence of multiple deities is what Paul is addressing.

Verse 23: “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.”

The phrase "To an unknown god" likely alludes to the Altar of the Twelve Gods in Athens, which was built to avoid omitting any deity from their veneration. Paul strategically employed this as a starting point in his speech. He spoke of the God who created the universe, a being not shaped from stone or limited to a sanctuary. This God, Paul explained, governs the seasons and the locations where humanity resides.

Verse 24: “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;”

Paul's doctrine clashed fundamentally with the Epicureans, who held that matter was timeless and thus uncreated, and the Stoics, pantheistically believing God was inherent in all things and incapable of self-creation. Scripture wholly supports Paul's teaching. Both are philosophical ditches to be avoided. 

Verse 25: “nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;”

He infused the first man with life by breathing into him, and continues to do so for every person. It is He who provides our souls, the spirit within each of us. Not only did He grant us life and breath at our creation, but He sustains them continuously; His Providence is an ongoing act of creation.

Verse 26: “and He made from one man every nation of mankind to inhabit all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,”

From Adam, all humanity originated, thus affirming equality before God. This assertion challenged the Greeks' nationalistic arrogance, who deemed non-Greeks as inferior. Divine Sovereignty governs the trajectory of nations and empires, encompassing their rise and demise. God establishes national identities, geographical boundaries, and the extent of territorial expansions, reflecting His deliberate design and authority.

Verse 27: “that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;”

Man's purpose in seeking the Lord stems from God's self-revelation as the Creator, Sovereign, and Sustainer of all.  This Divine disclosure leaves humanity without justification for ignorance of God, as His presence is evident both within our own conscience and throughout the physical world.

Verse 28: “for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His offspring.’”

Paul asserted that God is the creator of all humanity and that their existence is solely dependent on His provision. In the context of the ancient world, the fundamental philosophical and scientific inquiries revolved around the enigmas of life, movement, and existence. Recognizing the Athenians' lack of familiarity with the Old Testament, Paul drew upon the works of three of their poets. While these poets' words originally alluded to Zeus, the principal deity of the Greek pantheon, Paul redirected their meaning to the living God of the heavens. The poets are Epimenides (c. 600 b.c.), Cleanthes (331–233 b.c.), and Aratus (c. 315–240 b.c.).

Verse 29: “Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to suppose that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the craft and thought of man.”

Paul rejects idolatry by affirming God as both Creator and Redeemer. By establishing God's role as the originator of all things, Paul logically asserts His active involvement in redeeming humanity. This positions the denouncement of idolatry as an introduction to God's redemptive work, contrasting the worship of creation with the worship of the Creator and Redeemer.

Verse 30: “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent,”

God's prior tolerance of humanity's limited understanding of Him stemmed from their lack of revelation. However, the arrival of Paul and his proclamation unveils the true, living God to all. Consequently, a universal call to repentance from sin is now imperative for every individual, as the opportunity for knowledge and spiritual awakening has been presented. This new understanding necessitates a turning away from past disobedience and rebellion against God and towards embracing the divinely revealed truth. To repent, you must first take responsibility for your actions. 

Verse 31: “because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He determined, having furnished proof to all by raising Him from the dead.”

Ultimately, a Final Day of Judgment awaits (Revelation 20:12–15).  Just as the Athenians rejected the Man chosen by God, so Jesus will justly reject them during that Final Judgment. It is essential to understand that God's call to repentance and faith is not merely a suggestion, but a direct command. Without a sin substitute, you will have eternity to pay for your sins.

Verse 32: “Now when they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, ‘We shall hear you again concerning this.’”

The philosophical traditions of ancient Greece presented a significant challenge to the Christian doctrine of bodily resurrection. Unlike the Judeo-Christian belief in a physical rising from the dead, Greek philosophical thought, particularly among schools like the Platonists and Epicureans, largely rejected the idea of a bodily resurrection. Plato's philosophy emphasized the immortality of the soul as separate from the physical body, viewing the body as a temporary vessel or even a hindrance to the soul's true existence. The concept of the soul's liberation from the physical realm after death was paramount, rather than its reunion with a resurrected body. Epicureanism, on the other hand, held a materialistic view of the universe, denying the existence of an afterlife and the persistence of personal identity beyond physical death, thus dismissing the notion of resurrection altogether. This clash between the Christian proclamation of a bodily resurrection, as seen in the teachings of Paul in Acts 17, and the prevalent Greek philosophical ideas posed a considerable intellectual and theological challenge to early Christians seeking to spread their message within the Greco-Roman world. The church in every generation has had its own unique challenges and obstacles to overcome in evangelism. That is why without the grace and call of God, no one would be saved. 

Verse 33: “In this way, Paul went out of their midst.”

Despite assertions by some critics that Paul's efforts at Athens were unsuccessful, this assessment is inaccurate. The gospel message will invariably encounter skepticism and mockery. However, it is equally certain that some will embrace and believe it.

Verse 34: “But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.”

Areopagite was an individual belonging to the Areopagus court. In Athens, Paul's gospel preaching led to a substantial number of converts. Wherever he traveled and shared the message, people believed and acted on it. His ministry was consistently fruitful and successful.