en_tn/tNotes/Acts/Acts_17.md

Acts 17

Acts 17:1

General Information:

Both instances of "they" refers to Paul and Silas (Acts 16:40).

Connecting Statement:

This continues the story of Paul, Silas, and Timothy's missionary trip. They arrive in Thessalonica, apparently without Luke, since he says "they" and not "we."

Now

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Luke, the author, starts to tell a new part of the story.

passed through

"traveled through"

cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia

These are coastal cities in Macedonia. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

they came to the city

Here "came to" can be translated as "went to" or "arrived at." Alternate translation: "they went to the city" or "they arrived at the city" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-go)

Acts 17:2

went to them ... reasoned with them

"went to the Jews ... reasoned with the Jews"

as his custom was

"as his habit was" or "as his common practice was." Paul usually went to the synagogue on the Sabbath when Jews would be present.

for three Sabbath days

"on each Sabbath day for three weeks"

reasoned with them from the scriptures

"gave them reasons to believe from the scriptures" or "debated with them about the scriptures" or "discussed the scriptures with them." Paul explained what the scriptures mean in order to prove to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

Acts 17:3

General Information:

Here the word "He" refers to Paul (Acts 17:2).

He was opening the scriptures

Possible meanings are 1) to explain the scriptures in a way that people can understand is spoken of as if Paul were opening something so people can see what is inside of it) or 2) Paul was literally opening a book or scroll and reading from it. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

it was necessary

"it was part of God's plan"

to rise again

"to come back to life"

from the dead

From among all those who have died. The expression "the dead" describes all dead people together in the underworld. To come back from among them speaks of becoming alive again.

Acts 17:4

the Jews were persuaded

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the Jews believed" or "the Jews understood" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

joined Paul

"became associated with Paul"

devout Greeks

This refers to Greeks who worshiped God but had not converted to Judaism through circumcision.

not a few of the leading women

This is an understatement to emphasize that many leading women joined them. Alternate translation: "many leading women" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-litotes)

Acts 17:5

General Information:

Here the word "they" refers to the unbelieving Jews and wicked men from the marketplace.

being moved with jealousy

The feeling of jealousy is spoken of as if jealousy were actually moving the person. Alternate translation: "feeling very jealous" or "feeling very angry" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

with jealousy

It can be stated explicitly that these Jews were jealous because some of the Jews and Greeks believed Paul's message. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)

took certain wicked men

Here "took" does not mean the Jews took these people by force. It means the Jews persuaded these wicked men to help them.

certain wicked men

"some evil men." The word "men" here refers specifically to males.

from the marketplace

"from the public square." This is a public place of business, where buying and selling of goods, cattle, or services take place.

set the city in an uproar

Here "the city" stands for the people in the city. Alternate translation: "caused the people of the city to be in an uproar" or "caused the people of the city to riot" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Assaulting the house

"Violently attacking the house." This probably means the people were throwing rocks at the house and trying to break down the door of the house.

Jason

This is the name of a man. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

they were seeking to bring Paul ... out

The word "seeking" here means that the people wanted to bring Paul out and were trying to bring him out.

out to the people

Possible meanings or "people" are 1) a governmental or legal group of citizens gathered to make a decision or 2) a mob.

Acts 17:6

certain other brothers

Here "brothers" refers to believers. Alternate translation: "some other believers"

before the officials

"into the presence of the officials"

These men who have

The Jewish leaders were speaking, and the phrase "These men" refers to Paul and Silas.

turned the world upside down

This phrase is another way of saying Paul and Silas were causing trouble everywhere they went. The Jewish leaders were exaggerating the influence Paul and Silas were having with their teaching. Alternate translation: "caused trouble everywhere in the world" or "caused trouble everywhere they have gone" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)

Acts 17:7

Jason has welcomed

This phrase signals that Jason was in agreement with the apostles' troubling message.

Acts 17:8

They troubled the crowd

"They caused the people in the city to be afraid"

Acts 17:9

the rest

The words "the rest" refers to other believers that the Jews brought before the officials.

they took security ... they let them go

"the officials took security ... let Jason and the other believers go"

took security

Jason and the others gave the money to the officials to show that they would not cause any more trouble. This was not a fine or a punishment, so they might have expected the officials to give the money back later.

Acts 17:10

General Information:

Paul and Silas travel on to the town of Berea.

the brothers

The word "brothers" here refers to men and women believers. Alternate translation: "the believers" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-gendernotations)

Acts 17:11

Now

The word "now" is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Luke tells background information about the people in Berea and how they were willing to listen to Paul and examine what he said. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)

more noble

These "well-born" people were willing to think more objectively about new ideas than other people. Alternate translation: "more open minded" or "more willing to listen"

received the word

Here "word" refers to a teaching. Alternate translation: "listened to the teaching" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

with all readiness of mind

These Bereans were prepared to examine earnestly Paul's teachings about the scripture.

examining the scriptures daily

"carefully reading and evaluating the scriptures every day"

these things were so

"the things Paul said were true"

Acts 17:12

General Information:

This page has intentionally been left blank.

Acts 17:13

General Information:

Athens was south of Berea. Both were on the coast of Macedonia. Athens was one of the most important cities in Greece. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

went there and stirred up

This speaks about their agitating people as though it were a person stirring a liquid and causing the things at the bottom of the liquid to rise to the surface. Alternate translation: "went there and agitated" or "went there and disturbed" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

troubled the crowds

"worried the crowds" or "caused dread and fear among the people"

Acts 17:14

brothers

The word "brothers" here refers to men and women believers. Alternate translation: "believers" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-gendernotations)

to go to the sea

"to go to the coast." From here Paul would probably sail to another city.

Acts 17:15

who were leading Paul

"who were accompanying Paul" or "who were going along with Paul"

they received from him instructions for Silas and Timothy

"he told them to instruct Silas and Timothy." This can also be stated as a direct quotation as in the UDB. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-quotations)

Acts 17:16

General Information:

This is another part of the story of Paul and Silas' travels. Paul is now in Athens where he is waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him.

Now

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Luke starts to tell a new part of the story.

his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols

Here "spirit" stands for Paul himself. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "he became upset because he saw that there were idols everywhere in the city" or "seeing the idols everywhere in the city upset him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Acts 17:17

he reasoned

"he debated" or "he discussed." This means that his listeners also spoke and asked him questions. He was not the only speaker.

others who worshiped God

This refers to Gentiles who gave praise to God and followed him but did not obey all of the Jewish laws.

in the marketplace

"in the public square." This is a public place of business, where buying and selling of goods, cattle, or services take place.

Acts 17:18

General Information:

Here the words "him," "He, "and "he" refer to Paul.

Epicurean and Stoic philosophers

Philosophers are people who think about the world and try to understand how people should live. The Epicureans and the Stoics were two groups of philosophers. They believed that a god or gods existed, but they did not trust in or obey any god. Alternate translation: "thinkers called Epicureans and Stoics" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

encountered him

"happened upon him"

Some said

"Some of the philosophers said"

What is this babbler

The word "babbler" was used to refer to birds picking up seeds as food. It refers negatively to a person who only knows a little bit of information. The philosophers said Paul had bits of information which were not worth listening to. Alternate translation: "What is this uneducated person" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Others said

"Other philosophers said"

He seems to be one who calls people to follow

"He seems to be a proclaimer" or "He seems to be on a mission to add people to his philosophy"

strange gods

This is not in the sense of "odd," but in the sense of "foreign," that is, gods that Greeks and Romans do not worship or know about.

Acts 17:19

They took ... brought him

This does not mean they arrested Paul. The philosophers invited Paul to speak formally to their leaders.

to the Areopagus

The "Areopagus" was the place where the leaders met. Alternate translation: "to the leaders that met on the Areopagus" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

the Areopagus, saying

Here the leaders on the Areopagus are speaking. This can stated as a new sentence. Alternate translation: "the Areopagus. The leaders said to Paul"

Areopagus

This is a prominent rock outcropping or hill in Athens upon which the supreme court of Athens may have met. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

Acts 17:20

For you bring some strange things to our ears

Paul's teachings about Jesus and the resurrection are spoken of as an object that a person can bring to another person. Here "ears" refers to what they hear. Alternate translation: "For you are teaching some things that we have never heard before" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

Acts 17:21

Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there

The word "all" is a generalization referring to many. Alternate translation: "Now many of the Athenians and the strangers living there" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)

all the Athenians

"Athenians" are people from Athens, a city near the coast below Macedonia (present day Greece). (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

the strangers

"the foreigners"

spent their time in nothing but either telling or listening

Here "time" is spoken of as if it were an object that a person could spend. Alternate translation: "used their time doing nothing but either telling or listening" or "were always doing nothing but telling or listening" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

spent their time in nothing but either telling or listening

The phrase "spent their time in nothing" is an exaggeration. Alternate translation: "did not do much but tell or listen" or "spent much of their time telling or listening" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)

telling or listening about something new

"discussing new philosophical ideas" or "talking about what was new to them"

Acts 17:22

General Information:

Paul begins his speech to the philosophers on the Areopagus.

very religious in every way

Paul is referring to the Athenians' public display of honoring the gods through prayers, building altars, and offering sacrifices.

Acts 17:23

as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship

"as I walked among the objects of your worship and observed them" or "as I walked around in the city, I observed the objects of your worship"

To an Unknown God

Possible meanings are 1) "to a certain unknown god" or 2) "to a god not known." This was a specific writing or inscription on that altar.

Acts 17:24

the world

In the most general sense, the "world" refers to the heavens and the earth and everything in them.

since he is Lord

"because he is the Lord." Here "he" is referring to the unknown god mentioned in Acts 17:23 that Paul is explaining is the Lord God.

of heaven and earth

The words "heaven" and "earth" are used together to mean all beings and things in heaven and earth. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-merism)

built with hands

Here "hands" stands for people. Alternate translation: "built by the hands of people" or "that people built" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)

Acts 17:25

Neither is he served by men's hands

Here "served" has the sense of a doctor treating a patient to make the patient well again. Alternate translation: "Neither do men's hands take care of him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

by men's hands

Here "hands" stands for the whole person. Alternate translation: "by humans" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)

since he himself

"because he himself." The word "himself" is added for emphasis. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rpronouns)

Acts 17:26

General Information:

Here the word "he" refer to God, the creator, and both instances of "their" refer to every nation of people living on the surface of the earth.

one man

This means Adam, the first person God created. This can be stated to include Eve. It was through Adam and Eve that God made all other people. Alternate translation: "one couple"

having determined their appointed seasons and the boundaries of their living areas

This can be stated as a new sentence. Alternate translation: "and he determined when and where they would live"

Acts 17:27

General Information:

All instances of "they" and "their" refer to the people who live on earth, all instances of "him" and "he" refer to God, and the word "us" includes the speaker, the hearers, and the people who live on earth. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)

so that they should search for God and perhaps they may feel their way toward him and find him

Here "search for God" represents desiring to know him, and "feel their way toward him and find him" represents praying and having a relationship with him. Alternate translation: "so that they should want to know God and perhaps pray to him and become one of his people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

Yet he is not far from each one of us

This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "Yet he is very near to every one of us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-litotes)

Acts 17:28

General Information:

Here the words "him" and "his" refer to God (Acts 17:24). Both instances of "we" and "our" include the speaker, the hearers, and the people who live on the earth. The word "your" is plural. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)

For in him

"Because of him"

Acts 17:29

General Information:

Both instances of "we" include the speaker, the hearers, and other people. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)

are God's offspring

Because God created everyone, all people are spoken of as if they were God's literal children. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)

the qualities of deity are like

Here "deity" refers to God's nature or attributes. Alternate translation: "God is like" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

images created by the art and imagination of man

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "which a man then uses his skill to make it into something that he has designed" or "images that people make by using their art and imagination" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

Acts 17:30

General Information:

Here the word "he" refers to God.

Therefore

"Because what I have just said is true"

God overlooked the times of ignorance

"God decided not to punish people during the time of ignorance"

times of ignorance

This refers to the time before God fully revealed himself through Jesus Christ and before people truly knew how to obey God.

all men

This means all people, whether male or female. Alternate translation: "all people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-gendernotations)

Acts 17:31

Connecting Statement:

Paul finishes his speech to the philosophers in the Areopagus, which he began in Acts 17:22.

when he will judge the world in righteousness by the man he has appointed

"when the man he has chosen will judge the world in righteousness"

he will judge the world

Here "world" refers to the people. Alternate translation: "he will judge all people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)

in righteousness

"justly" or "fairly"

God has given proof of this man

"God has demonstrated his choice of this man"

from the dead

From among all those who have died. The expression "the dead" describes all dead people together in the underworld. To come back from among them speaks of becoming alive again.

Acts 17:32

General Information:

Here the word "We" refers to the men of Athens but not to Paul, so this is exclusive. Though some of them probably did want to hear Paul again, they may only have been being polite. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-exclusive)

Connecting Statement:

This is the end of the part of the story about Paul in Athens. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-endofstory)

Now

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Luke shifts from Paul's teachings to the reaction of the people of Athens.

the men of Athens

These are the people who were present at the Areopagus and were listening to Paul.

some mocked Paul

"some ridiculed Paul" or "some laughed at Paul." These did not believe it was possible for someone to die and then return to life.

Acts 17:33

General Information:

This page has intentionally been left blank.

Acts 17:34

Dionysius the Areopagite

Dionysius is a man's name. Areopagite implies that Dionysius was one of the judges at the council of Areopagus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)

Damaris

This is the name of a woman. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)