What I Noticed Today (Acts 17)
Acts 17
In verses 1-4, Paul and Silas traveled from Philippi to Thessalonica.
Note: The journey from Philippi to Thessalonica was about 100 miles. They traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, which means they traveled on the Via Egnatia. The Via Egnatia was a Roman road built in the 2nd century B.C., about 700 miles long running east-west connecting the northern provinces of the Roman Empire.
When they arrived, they taught the Good News in the synagogue for three weeks. Some of the people were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including some God-fearing Greeks and some of the leading women.
In verses 5-9, the Jews became jealous of Paul and brought a mob searching for Paul at Jason’s house. The mob claimed Paul was teaching against Caesar when they said Jesus was king. This stirred up the city officials, so they took a bond from Jason and released them.
Note: The bond was likely required to ensure Paul and Silas would leave town and not return. If they returned, Jason would lose his bond money.
In verses 16-15, when it was night, Paul and Silas left for Berea. As usual, Paul taught in the synagogue. The people welcomed them and searched the scriptures daily to see if what Paul was saying was true. A number of them believed including a number of prominent Greek men and women.
But when the Jews in Thessalonica heard about Paul’s work in Berea, they sent men to agitate the crowds. The brothers immediately sent Paul away, but Silas and Timothy remained. Paul went as far as Athens and then sent word for Silas and Timothy to join him.
Note: Berea was about 46 miles southwest of Thessalonica on the way to Achaia (Corinth, southern Greece).
In verses 16-21, while Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive, he taught in the synagogue and the marketplace. He noted the city was full of idols. Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers argued with him, saying he was a pseudo (false) intellectual. But they were intrigued by Paul’s teaching and brought him to the Areopagus to teach there to the assembled crowd of Athenians and foreigners.
Note: The marketplace is known as the agora. The Epicureans followed Epicurious, who believed the purpose of man was pleasure and happiness. They believed that if God did exist, He did not involve himself in human events.
Note: The Areopagus means “Hill of Ares” and was the official meeting place of the Council of Areopagus, which was the supreme legislative body in Athens.
In verses 22-34, Paul delivered a defense of his teaching and a sermon in three parts:
- Introduction (vv. 22-23). He mentions they are very religious; they even have an altar to the unknown God.
- The Unknown God (vv. 24-29. He proclaimed the unknown God is the God of heaven and earth who made everything.
- The God of Heaven and Earth (vv. 30-31). God now commands people everywhere to repent because judgment is coming. As proof, He was resurrected.
Some began to ridicule him when they heard about the resurrection, but others wanted to hear more. Paul left them, but some joined him and believed, including Dionysius, the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris.
Note: Dionysius was a member of the Areopagite Council. Damaris may also have been particularly influential since Luke mentioned her by name.
Note: Paul’s efforts in Athens were not as successful as in other cities because there is no formation of a church.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
