Acts 17
Summary. In this chapter, the apostle Paul and his companions continue their missionary journey. Guided by the Holy Spirit, they spread the good news in Thessalonica, Berea, and as far as Athens. Acts 17:1-9. Apostle Paul and Silas in Thessalonica. The Holy Spirit guided the apostles Paul and Silas on their journey to spread the good news. In Thessalonica, in the synagogue, Paul engaged with the worshipers, using the Scriptures to proclaim the true Gospel: that the Lord Jesus is the Christ who has suffered and has risen out from the dead. While some were persuaded by his message, the Jews became jealous and persecuted the believers, bringing them before the city magistrates. Acts 17:10-14. Apostle Paul and Silas in Berea. The Lord helped the apostle Paul and Silas to flee from Thessalonica to Berea. In Berea, the people’s hearts were ready to receive the good news, and many believed. However, the Jews from Thessalonica, who had dark mind control, tried to hinder the work of the Lord by following the apostle Paul to Berea and inciting the crowds against him. Acts 17:15-32. Apostle Paul in Athens. The Holy Spirit guided the believers to escort the apostle Paul as far as Athens. In Athens, Paul engaged in discussions with people from various nations and beliefs, who challenged the knowledge of the believers. The apostle received knowledge from the Lord to speak at the Areopagus, capturing the attention of his audience, particularly when he shared the good news about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead. Some mocked, while others expressed further interest in the good news. Acts 17:33-34. The good news persuaded some. Not everyone who listened to the apostle’s discourse believed. However, those with gentle and open hearts believed in the Lord Jesus, and wanting to know more about the good news, they followed the apostle.
Comments Acts 17:1
The apostle of the Lord traveled a long journey, but his first thing to do was always to go and participate in the synagogue, because in his heart, nothing else mattered to him besides telling people about the mighty work of the Lord God Almighty. And by participating in the synagogues, he also had the chance to worship the Lord God Almighty with other believers.
Comments Acts 17:2
“Now, according to the custom with Paul ...” All believers give attention to what the apostle always did first thing: find a place to worship the Lord God Almighty with other believers.
“And for three Sabbaths he reasoned ...” The length of time spent talking and discussing with other believers was not important, but it also points out to the plan of the Lord God Almighty. When the apostle spent that much time with the believers, the number of people who heard the good news about the Lord God Almighty’s miracle work would be large, and this would also strengthen the hearts of the believers that no matter where they are or what they are doing, the Lord God Almighty will always be there for them.
“And for three Sabbaths he reasoned ...” The length of time spent talking and discussing with other believers was not important, but it also points out to the plan of the Lord God Almighty. When the apostle spent that much time with the believers, the number of people who heard the good news about the Lord God Almighty’s miracle work would be large, and this would also strengthen the hearts of the believers that no matter where they are or what they are doing, the Lord God Almighty will always be there for them.
Comments Acts 17:3
“Opening and alleging, that it behooved the Christ ...” The true message of the Gospel has been proclaimed here. Give attention, all humans, the beloved Son of God, the Lord Jesus, has been accused and suffered for all humans, even though He did not commit any sin, but humans sought out to find fault in His good deeds and proclaim them as a sin.
“And to have risen out from the dead.” The beloved Son of God cannot die; He rose up from the dead because He is One with God the Father, who cannot die.
“And that this Jesus, whom I proclaim ...” The Christ of God is the beloved Son of God, the Lord Jesus. He is the only One Christ, the only One beloved Son that God the Father has begotten.
“And to have risen out from the dead.” The beloved Son of God cannot die; He rose up from the dead because He is One with God the Father, who cannot die.
“And that this Jesus, whom I proclaim ...” The Christ of God is the beloved Son of God, the Lord Jesus. He is the only One Christ, the only One beloved Son that God the Father has begotten.
Comments Acts 17:4
“And some of them were persuaded ...” The true Gospel has been proclaimed, but not every ear and heart accepts the truth, as the verse tells clearly to all humans. Give attention to the word 'some’; not all that hear the true Gospel will receive, but those that the heart convicts and accept will become the true followers.
“Along with the devout Greeks ...” Gentiles from many nations converted to become believers, including women. The Gospel works in the hearts of all humans, male and female alike. For the Lord God Almighty, both genders can be saved if their hearts are open to receiving His grace and mercy.
“Along with the devout Greeks ...” Gentiles from many nations converted to become believers, including women. The Gospel works in the hearts of all humans, male and female alike. For the Lord God Almighty, both genders can be saved if their hearts are open to receiving His grace and mercy.
Comments Acts 17:5
“Now, the Jews, having become jealous ...” Give attention, all readers: the word jealous has greater meaning than usual in this place. The “jealous” here is not just the action because of someone else being better, but because the Lord God Almighty loves someone else more than them. When the children of God think that someone else is being loved more than they are, this feeling causes their eyes to become blind and their ears to become deaf. These Jews, in this place, stirred up people with a jealous hearts to fight against the servant of the Lord.
“And gathering a crowd ...” The dark mind has power over the multitude. When the dark mind leads the dark mind, the evil will be greater, and here it leads people to make the whole city in turmoil. Let all believers be careful, do not follow a mad group of people; stop, meditate, and pray to the Lord God Almighty, and your mind will be clear.
“And having assaulted the house ...” The violent action takes place when the mind is controlled by the dark side. Here, in this city, the dark mind controlled the mob to act violently by attacking the house of the believer in order to take the apostle to be punished.
“And gathering a crowd ...” The dark mind has power over the multitude. When the dark mind leads the dark mind, the evil will be greater, and here it leads people to make the whole city in turmoil. Let all believers be careful, do not follow a mad group of people; stop, meditate, and pray to the Lord God Almighty, and your mind will be clear.
“And having assaulted the house ...” The violent action takes place when the mind is controlled by the dark side. Here, in this city, the dark mind controlled the mob to act violently by attacking the house of the believer in order to take the apostle to be punished.
Comments Acts 17:6
“And not having found them ...” When the dark mind could not find the apostle, the next action was to harm the believers in order to create fear. If this succeeds, the dark believe that they can create fear in the minds of the believers, and the work of the Lord God Almighty will be stopped at this time.
“These having upset the world are also come here.” The evil brings more evil in order to intimidate the leaders and persuade them to fight back.
“These having upset the world are also come here.” The evil brings more evil in order to intimidate the leaders and persuade them to fight back.
Comments Acts 17:7
“Whom Jason has received.” The Lord’s children pointed out the faithful servant of the Lord, who received the people that they believed were doing wrong towards them, with the intention of giving trouble to the faithful servants of the Lord.
“And these all practice contrary to the decrees ...” The accusation for the faithful servant of the Lord that he had received those who wanted to betray their ruler of this world: the Lord’s children named out the beloved Son of God, the Lord Jesus, proclaimed by the servants of the Lord to be their King, but the Lord’s children do not want to accept the beloved Son of God as their King, but want to be under the protection of the human king. The Lord’s children’s hearts were full of dark control, and rejected to accept their own true King, the Lord Jesus.
“And these all practice contrary to the decrees ...” The accusation for the faithful servant of the Lord that he had received those who wanted to betray their ruler of this world: the Lord’s children named out the beloved Son of God, the Lord Jesus, proclaimed by the servants of the Lord to be their King, but the Lord’s children do not want to accept the beloved Son of God as their King, but want to be under the protection of the human king. The Lord’s children’s hearts were full of dark control, and rejected to accept their own true King, the Lord Jesus.
Comments Acts 17:8
The human eyes trust in what they can see, but do not trust in the power of the Lord God Almighty for things they cannot see. The multitude felt troubled and afraid that this news would bring them problems, not help them; in their hearts, they believed the human king to be the right one for them. These people had been called the Lord’s children, but none accepted being under the authority of the Lord God Almighty.
Comments Acts 17:9
In the minds of humans, the security for their own feelings is only what they can use to their benefit. And in this place, when people believed that the faithful servants of the Lord God Almighty were endangering them, to let them go, they wanted something as a guarantee, so that they would not do bad to them in order to take back the guarantees that they had put down.
Comments Acts 17:10
“And the brothers immediately sent away ...” Give attention, all believers; the believer’s duty to one another is to help each other. As this verse tells us, believers helped the Lord’s servants to escape from evil hands.
“Who, having arrived, ...” Always the first thing the believers should do, as this verse tells us, when you are free from trouble, go to the place of worship and give thanks to the Lord God Almighty for all the good deeds He has performed in saving you.
“Who, having arrived, ...” Always the first thing the believers should do, as this verse tells us, when you are free from trouble, go to the place of worship and give thanks to the Lord God Almighty for all the good deeds He has performed in saving you.
Comments Acts 17:11
Notice, all readers, that with open minds and hearts, humans will accept the Holy Word that the Lord God Almighty has for them. In this place, people’s hearts were ready to receive. The Lord God Almighty guided His apostle and workers to go there, and they would strengthen the faith of many. The place where hearts are open will be the place where the good news will be proclaimed; when the hearts are ready, the souls will be saved at the same time.
Comments Acts 17:12
Regardless of social status or gender, all are called the same way; when you choose to listen and obey, and your heart follows the teaching, you also become a follower of the Lord God Almighty.
Comments Acts 17:13
“However, when the Jews from Thessalonica knew ...” The Lord’s children who had dark mind control sought to stop the apostle from proclaiming the good news to the people. The Lord’s children wanted to stop the work of the Lord God Almighty in saving more people to His kingdom.
“They came there also, stirring up ...” Give attention, all believers, when the dark controls the mind, the urge to do evil is strong. Regardless of the distance from where the Lord God Almighty proclaimed His good news, these people with dark control will go and try to stop by stirring up people to fight against the apostle. The dark does not care about the safety of the people that are involved; their purpose is only to fight against the work of the Lord God Almighty.
“They came there also, stirring up ...” Give attention, all believers, when the dark controls the mind, the urge to do evil is strong. Regardless of the distance from where the Lord God Almighty proclaimed His good news, these people with dark control will go and try to stop by stirring up people to fight against the apostle. The dark does not care about the safety of the people that are involved; their purpose is only to fight against the work of the Lord God Almighty.
Comments Acts 17:14
“And then immediately the brothers sent away Paul ...” The hearts of true believers joined together and sent the apostle away. The apostle of the Lord God Almighty had been helped through other believers to escape the dark’s plan. The route of travel will stir up more hearts, and the good news will be spread further and more. The dark did not know that by stopping the work of the Lord God Almighty in one place, it would cause the word to spread out more and further and bring more people to be saved.
“But both Silas and Timothy remained there.” Two faithful servants of the Lord God Almighty remained in Berea to continue their work. The Lord God Almighty stirred their hearts to keep faith and trust in their safety, because their work for the Lord God Almighty was still needed in this place.
“But both Silas and Timothy remained there.” Two faithful servants of the Lord God Almighty remained in Berea to continue their work. The Lord God Almighty stirred their hearts to keep faith and trust in their safety, because their work for the Lord God Almighty was still needed in this place.
Comments Acts 17:15
“Now those escorting Paul brought him until Athens.” The believers, guided by the Holy Spirit, took the apostle to the place where they had received guidance in their hearts.
“And having received a command ...” When the faithful servants sent the message to Silas and Timothy that the apostle wanted them to join him, with obedient hearts, everything went according to plan; they came as they had been guided.
“And having received a command ...” When the faithful servants sent the message to Silas and Timothy that the apostle wanted them to join him, with obedient hearts, everything went according to plan; they came as they had been guided.
Comments Acts 17:16
When the apostle stayed in the place that was full of worshiping the dark side, the Lord God Almighty stirred his heart to feel uncomfortable and angry at the foolishness of His people. Why did their hearts change and worship the dark instead of the light? The Holy Spirit’s stirring in his heart, made the apostle unable to stay put; the apostle knew that the big job was here waiting for them.
Comments Acts 17:17
“Therefore, indeed, he reasoned ...” The Lord God Almighty gave His children wisdom on how to talk when encountering knowledgeable people with different ways of belief. The way of talking will make the hearts of the listeners become curious.
“And in the marketplace on every day ...” When walking outside among people, you will meet different kinds of people. The common people with a clean mind will ask questions in a different way, and that time is the perfect time to give out the good news.
“And in the marketplace on every day ...” When walking outside among people, you will meet different kinds of people. The common people with a clean mind will ask questions in a different way, and that time is the perfect time to give out the good news.
Comments Acts 17:18
“And certain, also, of the Epicurean and Stoic ...” Many strange, different nations and beliefs also seek to challenge the knowledge of the believers. In normal circumstances, it would not be easy to satisfy their curious minds, but at this time, the Lord God Almighty will give them complete good news.
“And some said, What may this babbler ...” With the common minds, when they hear the good news, they have no understanding, but in their hearts, they wish to know what the believers’ saying means, and this will be a chance to tell the Gospel.
“Others, however, He seems ...” The innocent minds that have never heard the true Gospel do not know what the believers are talking about and believe that the Lord God Almighty is for the believers only, not for them. The believers will have a chance to explain the good news to them.
“Because he was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.” The true Gospel had been proclaimed to all: the Father had given His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to save the world; the whole Gospel had been proclaimed here.
“And some said, What may this babbler ...” With the common minds, when they hear the good news, they have no understanding, but in their hearts, they wish to know what the believers’ saying means, and this will be a chance to tell the Gospel.
“Others, however, He seems ...” The innocent minds that have never heard the true Gospel do not know what the believers are talking about and believe that the Lord God Almighty is for the believers only, not for them. The believers will have a chance to explain the good news to them.
“Because he was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.” The true Gospel had been proclaimed to all: the Father had given His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to save the world; the whole Gospel had been proclaimed here.
Comments Acts 17:19
“Also, having taken hold of him ...” It is part of the Lord God Almighty’s plan for where the apostle should be in testifying to people the good news; this will lead to creating confusion and curiosity in people’s minds. Human nature, when something different comes to the ear, also prompts the urge to know more.
“May we know what this new teaching is ...” The people had already heard part of the message but did not know the details yet, and they wanted the root of the news to be the one to be explained.
“May we know what this new teaching is ...” The people had already heard part of the message but did not know the details yet, and they wanted the root of the news to be the one to be explained.
Comments Acts 17:20
Give attention, all readers, when your ears hear the good news, and that good news will make your heart eager to know more. But when listening to something, all should be aware. Pray and ask for guidance because not all the news is good to know more than how much you already heard.
Comments Acts 17:21
Humans have one thing in common: they like to hear and know something new all the time. The pride of men makes humans want to be seen as know-it-alls. People in this place considered themselves to have the most knowledge in the world and to know all things.
Comments Acts 17:22
The apostle of the Lord God Almighty received knowledge from the Lord to speak, which made the ears of these people alert, expecting to hear something they had never known before, and this made them feel compelled to ask the apostle to share what he knew.
Comments Acts 17:23
“For passing through, and observing ...” Ignorant people cannot ever accept who made them. The Lord God Almighty, who created all things, is not the God from their own imagination for worship.
“What therefore you worship in ignorance ...” Give attention, all readers, do not be ignorant like these people. Listen to your heart, not the stories your head makes up. Worshipping the things that your minds make is useless and brings no benefit to anyone, neither for body nor soul.
“What therefore you worship in ignorance ...” Give attention, all readers, do not be ignorant like these people. Listen to your heart, not the stories your head makes up. Worshipping the things that your minds make is useless and brings no benefit to anyone, neither for body nor soul.
Comments Acts 17:24
“The God who made the world ...” Humans pay attention to what this verse says to you: the true Lord God Almighty, the true One, who created all things, is beyond what the human mind can imagine or think of. You cannot imagine what He looks like, but you can be in awe of His handiwork around you.
“He, being Lord of heaven and earth ...” Let all readers and believers pay attention: in serving the Lord God Almighty, take off from your mind that you can create anything resembling Him who created you. The magnificent image of Him cannot fit any human mind or object to represent. The building is an idol for these people; for them, the things they made are as gods, which narrow minds crafted to represent the real thing.
“He, being Lord of heaven and earth ...” Let all readers and believers pay attention: in serving the Lord God Almighty, take off from your mind that you can create anything resembling Him who created you. The magnificent image of Him cannot fit any human mind or object to represent. The building is an idol for these people; for them, the things they made are as gods, which narrow minds crafted to represent the real thing.
Comments Acts 17:25
The Lord God Almighty is God who gives and always gives. The Lord God Almighty does not expect anyone to give Him things; instead, He desires hearts that give thanks and glorify Him, for it is He who gives them all things.
Comments Acts 17:26
The Lord God Almighty created humans, one kind of humans, with heart, soul, and spirit; all He expects is for humans to glorify and give thanks for His creation. He created this earth for His pleasure and to spread out humans to occupy the earth. Give attention, humans; you live on this earth; think of the One, the Lord God Almighty, who created the earth for you. Use and enjoy it with thanksgiving hearts, but do not destroy what has been created for you.
Comments Acts 17:27
“To seek God, if perhaps indeed ...” If you truly seek the Lord God Almighty, He will also show Himself to you. The heart that is true towards Him, that heart will also open to receive mercy from Him.
“Though indeed He is not far from each one of us.” The Lord God Almighty is bigger than what humans can understand. Not only this earth, but the universe itself is in Him already. If you are in Him, to find the Lord God Almighty is not difficult at all. If you use your heart to seek Him, you will find Him because you are already in Him.
“Though indeed He is not far from each one of us.” The Lord God Almighty is bigger than what humans can understand. Not only this earth, but the universe itself is in Him already. If you are in Him, to find the Lord God Almighty is not difficult at all. If you use your heart to seek Him, you will find Him because you are already in Him.
Comments Acts 17:28
“For in him we live, and move, and are.” The creation itself happened in Him. Regardless of birth or death, all are in the Lord God Almighty; nothing disappears because everything is in Him.
“As certain even among your own poets ...” The Lord God Almighty has mercy on all humans. The Lord God Almighty gives understanding to some humans, and they have described and told all about Him in their writings; this is also one way that the Lord God Almighty uses to let humans know about Him.
“For we are also of His offspring.” Humans are His children because He has created them after His own image; you become His offspring, all humans, because you all have been created after His own likeness.
“As certain even among your own poets ...” The Lord God Almighty has mercy on all humans. The Lord God Almighty gives understanding to some humans, and they have described and told all about Him in their writings; this is also one way that the Lord God Almighty uses to let humans know about Him.
“For we are also of His offspring.” Humans are His children because He has created them after His own image; you become His offspring, all humans, because you all have been created after His own likeness.
Comments Acts 17:29
“Being, therefore, the offspring of God.” Remember, all humans, you are an offspring of the Lord God Almighty. The Lord God Almighty created you after His own likeness; keep that fact not only in your mind but in your heart as well.
“We ought not to think of God to be like ...” All humans listen to this verse: you have been created, do not think of the Lord God Almighty who created you to be as something of this earth. His likeness cannot be compared with any object of this earth; the magnificence of His image is greater than what any human can imagine or compare.
“We ought not to think of God to be like ...” All humans listen to this verse: you have been created, do not think of the Lord God Almighty who created you to be as something of this earth. His likeness cannot be compared with any object of this earth; the magnificence of His image is greater than what any human can imagine or compare.
Comments Acts 17:30
“The times, indeed, therefore, of ignorance ...” When you don’t have the wisdom from the Lord God Almighty, He does not judge your ignorance as guilty or a sin. But now all humans have been blessed; remember who you are; don’t bring the Lord God Almighty down to be below as you.
“Now He commands all men everywhere to repent.” Now, the Lord God Almighty gave His beloved Son to be the light for humans. All humans, you have a chance now: the repentance of sins has been given from the Lord God Almighty through His beloved Son.
“Now He commands all men everywhere to repent.” Now, the Lord God Almighty gave His beloved Son to be the light for humans. All humans, you have a chance now: the repentance of sins has been given from the Lord God Almighty through His beloved Son.
Comments Acts 17:31
“Because He set a day in which He is ...” The Lord God Almighty, the righteous God Most High, has set the day in which He will judge the world in His righteousness.
“By a man whom He appointed.” The Lord God Most High has appointed the beloved Son, the Lord Jesus, to sit on the throne, judging all the living and the dead. The Son of Man has the authority to judge all the souls.
“Having provided assurance to all ...” The Father, the Lord God Most High, with His authority, provided salvation for all souls through His beloved Son, and also, God the Father gives authority to His beloved Son to be the One who will judge all the souls on the judgment day.
“By a man whom He appointed.” The Lord God Most High has appointed the beloved Son, the Lord Jesus, to sit on the throne, judging all the living and the dead. The Son of Man has the authority to judge all the souls.
“Having provided assurance to all ...” The Father, the Lord God Most High, with His authority, provided salvation for all souls through His beloved Son, and also, God the Father gives authority to His beloved Son to be the One who will judge all the souls on the judgment day.
Comments Acts 17:32
“Now, having heard of the resurrection of the dead.” The Father, the Lord God Most High, by His authority raised up His beloved Son to be the judge on the last day. The Son of Man, the One who has been raised out from the dead, has all the authority: the living and the dead will be judged under the Son’s authority. Because the beloved Son also has tasted death, that is why, He has the authority to judge not only the living but the dead as well.
“Some indeed mocked.” The Lord’s children, the ones that have no faith, the hearts covered with the dark, the blasphemy action occurs in them by mocking. But raising the dead is only what the Father God Most High has authority to do, and this mocking is a blasphemy against the Father Himself.
“But others said, We will hear you ...” But some whose hearts still had room to be saved considered thinking twice about this subject. In their hearts, they still wanted to hear more in order to reach a conclusion on whether they should or should not consider the message of resurrection to be the true message from the Lord God Almighty Himself.
“Some indeed mocked.” The Lord’s children, the ones that have no faith, the hearts covered with the dark, the blasphemy action occurs in them by mocking. But raising the dead is only what the Father God Most High has authority to do, and this mocking is a blasphemy against the Father Himself.
“But others said, We will hear you ...” But some whose hearts still had room to be saved considered thinking twice about this subject. In their hearts, they still wanted to hear more in order to reach a conclusion on whether they should or should not consider the message of resurrection to be the true message from the Lord God Almighty Himself.
Comments Acts 17:33
At the right time, and in the right moment, the Lord God Almighty led His apostle to do other work; the apostle also left the peace of God with them.
Comments Acts 17:34
Give attention, all believers. This verse clearly tells all that not everyone had a gentle heart to be attached to the apostle of the Lord. But the ones the Lord God Almighty opened their hearts to seek more knowledge, they attached to the apostle, out of love for God and wishing to know more about the good news.
Life and faith applications. 1) As followers of the Lord Jesus, we must worship together with other believers. 2) We must hold fast to the truths of our faith: the good news about the Lord Jesus and His resurrection from the dead. 3) Do not join others in mocking the followers of the Lord Jesus or the good news. 4) Support those who serve as missionaries for the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 5) When the opportunity arises to debate with people of different faiths and backgrounds, pray and seek wisdom from the Lord. 6) Be cautious about any form of idolatry, and pray for guidance from the Lord in all matters. 7) Share your knowledge of the Lord Jesus with both believers and unbelievers as the Lord provides opportunities.