Acts
Chapter 17
In Thessalonica
Paul and Silas traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia before arriving in Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
As usual, Paul went to the synagogue, and for three Sabbaths, he discussed the Scriptures with them about the Scriptures.
He explained and proved to them that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead, and he said, “Such a Messiah is this Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.”
Some of them were convinced and joined Paul and Silas. Many Greeks sympathetic to Judaism and numerous prominent women also believed.
This only made the Jews jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers and incited a riot in the town. They went to Jason’s house, intending to bring Paul and Silas before the crowd.
Not finding them there, they dragged Jason and some believers to the authorities, shouting:
“These people who have turned the world upside down have also come here,
and Jason has welcomed them. They disregard the decrees of the Emperor and claim that there is another King, Jesus.”
This caused an uproar among the crowd and city officials, who heard what was happening.
The officials released Jason and the others on bail.
In Berea
As soon as night fell, the believers sent Paul and Silas to Beroea. Upon their arrival, they went to the Jewish synagogue.
Its members were more receptive than those in Thessalonica and received the message with great enthusiasm. Each day, they examined the Scriptures to verify if these things were true.
Many of them came to believe, just like numerous influential Greek women and many men.
But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that Paul had also preached the word of God in Beroea, they hurried there to cause a disturbance and incite the crowds.
Immediately, the believers sent Paul away to the coast, but both Silas and Timothy remained in Beroea.
Paul was escorted as far as Athens, and then his escort returned to Beroea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
In Athens
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he felt very uneasy at the sight of a city full of idols.
He held discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing people, as well as daily debates in the public square with ordinary passersby.
Epicurean and Stoic philosophers debated with him, with some asking:
“What is this babbler trying to say?”
Others commented:
“He sounds like a promoter of foreign gods.”
Because he was heard to speak of Jesus and ‘the Resurrection.’
So they took Paul and led him off to the Areopagus hall, and said:
“We would like to understand what this new teaching is that you are discussing.
Some of the things we hear you say sound strange to us, and we want to know what they mean.”
Indeed, all Athenian citizens, as well as the foreigners living there, enjoy talking about or listening to the latest news as their favorite activity.
At the Areopagus
Then Paul rose to his feet in the Areopagus hall and said:
Athenian citizens, I observe that you are very religious in every way.
As I walked around examining your shrines, I even saw an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Now, what you worship as unknown, I intend to make known to you.
God, who created the world and everything in it, does not live in man-made temples, since he is Lord of heaven and earth.
Nor does his worship depend on anything built by humans, as if he needed it. Instead, it is he who gives life, breath, and all things to everyone.
From one stock, he created the entire human race to live all over the earth,
and he set the times and boundaries for each nation.
He wanted them to seek him on their own, even if it was just by groping for him, so that they could succeed in finding him. Yet, he is not far from any of us.
For, in him, we live, move, and have our being, as some of your poets have said: for we, too, are his offspring.
If we are truly God’s children, we should not view divinity as something like a gold, silver, or stone statue—merely a creation of human art and imagination.
But now, God chooses to overlook this time of ignorance; and he calls on all people to change their ways.
He has already set a day when he will judge the world with justice through a man he has appointed. And to show everyone it’s true, he has just given a sign by raising this man from the dead.
When they heard Paul speak of a resurrection from the dead, some ridiculed him, while others said:
“We must hear you on this topic at another time.”
At that point, Paul left.
But a few did join him and believe. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus court, a woman named Damaris, and others.
Commentaries
In Thessalonica.
Leaving behind secondary cities, the missionaries headed for the capital of Macedonia, Thessalonica—today Thessaloniki—a wealthy, open port city with many Jewish synagogues. Following his missionary plan, Paul first speaks to the Jews, explaining and showing them that the Messiah had to suffer and rise again, and that this Messiah was Jesus. The success of Paul’s preaching in Thessalonica is much greater than that in Philippi. Among those who joined Paul and Silas were Jews, Greeks, and many influential women. Once again, Luke highlights the presence of women, showing their importance in those early Christian communities. As on other occasions, success leads to envy and accusations from the Jews.
In Berea.
The same events as in Thessalonica are repeated. Paul and Silas’ mission ends, as always, in persecution. This time, it is the Jews from Thessalonica who go to Berea—about 50 miles away—to prevent Paul’s mission. However, the number of converts continues to grow, including important women. In Berea, the companions part ways for a time, so Paul goes alone to face the challenge of Athens.
In Athens.
Up to this point, Christian preachers have challenged Judaism, the law, magic (16:16-18; 19:12-16), and naive polytheism (14:6-18). Now it’s Paul’s turn to challenge a religiosity shaped by philosophy. The philosophers had reinterpreted mythology, turning it into a purified religion. At that time, Plato’s “Academy,” Aristotle’s “Peripatetics,” the “Epicureans,” the “Stoics,” and perhaps the “Cynics” were active in Athens.
At the Areopagus.
During his three major missionary journeys, Paul delivered three key speeches: to the Jews in Pisidian Antioch, to the Christian leaders in Ephesus, and to the pagan philosophers in Athens. The speech in Athens is especially significant to Luke, who is receptive to Greek culture, engages in dialogue, seeks reconciliation, and himself has a pagan background. Respectful in listening, he is also courageous in proclaiming. The results of dialogue and proclamation, both then and now, are in God’s hands. Most of Paul’s audience decides it’s not worth continuing to listen. However, the Apostle’s preaching was not entirely ineffective. Luke mentions two converts by name: Dionysius, a city official responsible for education and culture, and Damaris, another woman!