At Thessalonica, Paul reasons from Scripture in the synagogue for three Sabbaths, explaining that the Christ had to suffer and rise, and that Jesus is this Christ, persuading some Jews and many devout Greeks until jealous Jews incite a mob that accuses the missionaries of defying Caesar's decrees by proclaiming another king, Jesus. At Berea, the noble-minded Jews examine Scripture daily to verify Paul's teaching, and many believe until Thessalonian agitators arrive and Paul departs for Athens. Before the Areopagus, Paul proclaims the unknown God as creator who is not served by human hands, in whom we live and move and have our being, who now commands all to repent since He has appointed a day of judgment by a man He raised from the dead, with some mocking, some believing, including Dionysius and Damaris.
Read Acts Chapter 17 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
Places in This Chapter
Thessalonica was a major city in Macedonia where Paul established a church during his second missionary journey. Though forced to leave after only three weeks due to persecution, the church flourished. Paul wrote two letters to the Thessalonians, addressing concerns about Christ's return and encouraging them in their faith and conduct.
Athens was the intellectual capital of the ancient world, famous for its philosophers and the Areopagus. Paul visited Athens during his second missionary journey and delivered his famous sermon on Mars Hill, addressing the Athenians' altar to the "unknown god" and proclaiming the true God who raised Jesus from the dead.
Position in Book
Macedonia, Athens, Corinth.
Bible Bites
The Gospel Spreads in 28 Chapters
The book of Acts contains 28 chapters chronicling the explosive growth of the early church from Jerusalem to Rome. Written by Luke as a sequel to his Gospel, it begins with 120 believers in an upper room and ends with Paul preaching boldly in the capital of the Roman Empire.
ActsThe narrator joins the story
In Acts 16:10, Luke suddenly switches from 'they' to 'we,' revealing he personally joined Paul's missionary journey. These 'we passages' (Acts 16, 20-21, 27-28) provide eyewitness accounts showing Luke was present for key events including Paul's shipwreck.
Acts 16:10