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Summary

Acts 17:1–9 – Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

What happens:
Paul and Silas travel through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica, where there is a Jewish synagogue. Over three Sabbaths Paul reasons from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. Some Jews and a large number of God-fearing Greeks and prominent women join Paul and Silas. But jealous Jews form a mob, attack Jason’s house (where the believers are), and drag Jason before the city authorities, accusing the apostles of turning the world upside down. The crowd and rulers are disturbed, but Jason and the others are released after posting bond.

What it means:
Sound biblical reasoning invites both conviction and opposition. The gospel transforms diverse hearts—including Gentiles and leaders—while stirring resistance from those invested in the status quo. God-fearing seekers who embrace the message become targets of cultural backlash.


Acts 17:10–15 – The Berean Response

What happens:
The brothers send Paul and Silas off by night to Berea. There the Jewish synagogue receives them with eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if Paul’s teaching is true. Many believe, including prominent Greek women and men. But when Jews from Thessalonica arrive to stir up the crowd, the Bereans send Paul away by sea to Athens, while Silas and Timothy remain to encourage the new believers.

What it means:
Bereans model noble inquiry, weighing teaching against Scripture before believing. Genuine faith involves both open hearts and diligent testing of truth. Encouragement and follow-up strengthen nascent faith communities under pressure.


Acts 17:16–34 – Paul’s Ministry in Athens

What happens:
In Athens Paul is deeply distressed to see the city full of idols. He debates in the synagogue and marketplace with Jews, God-fearing Greeks, and philosophers. Invited to speak at the Areopagus, he acknowledges their religiosity, points to their altar “To the Unknown God,” and declares the one true Creator who does not live in temples and gives life to all. He calls people to repent because God will judge the world through the man he appointed—raising him from the dead. Some sneer at the resurrection, but others believe, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris.

What it means:
Cultural engagement begins with respect for seekers’ context but leads to bold proclamation of Christ’s lordship and resurrection. The Creator-world relationship provides a starting point for pointing to Jesus. Resurrection remains the pivotal stumbling block for some and the foundation of faith for others.


Application

  • Examine all teaching against Scripture, embracing truth with a noble and discerning spirit
  • Engage culture thoughtfully: start from common ground but move toward the uniqueness of Christ’s gospel
  • Be prepared for both mockery and belief when proclaiming the resurrection—each response underscores its power
  • Encourage new believers, ensuring they are nurtured and protected from opposition
  • Offer reasoned, compassionate witness to seekers by showing how Jesus fulfills both their spiritual curiosity and God’s plan

Bible

1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

3Opening 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.

4And 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.

5But 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.

6And 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;

7Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

8And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

9And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11These 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.

12Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

13But 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.

14And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

15And 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.

16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

17Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

18Then 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.

19And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

20For 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.)

22Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

23For 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.

24God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26And 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;

27That 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:

28For 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.

29Forasmuch 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.

30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

31Because 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.

32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

33So Paul departed from among them.

34Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

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