Acts 17:13. And stirred up the people.— The word σαλευοντες, rendered stirred up, signifies primarilyraising a storm. It expresses a violent agitation of the sea, and admirably illustrates the rage and fury of a seditious multitude. Comp. Psalms 90:3-4.Isaiah 17:12-13; Isaiah 17:12-13.Jeremiah 46:7-8; Jeremiah 46:7-8. read more
Acts 17:14. To go as it were to the sea— Grotius supposes that St. Paul was brought down to the sea-coast, as one about to sail, and that the rumour thereof was spread; but that in reality he hastened by land to Athens. However, Raphelius has clearly and abundantly proved, that the proper translation is, to go towards or unto the sea; and as there is nothing said of his going by land, the propriety of Grotius's interpretation seems more than doubtful. read more
13. the Jews of Thessalonica . . . came thither also—"like hunters upon their prey, as they had done before from Iconium to Lystra" [HOWSON]. read more
14. immediately the brethren—the converts gathered at Berea. sent away Paul—as before from Jerusalem (Acts 9:30), and from Thessalonica (Acts 17:10). How long he stayed at Berea we know not; but as we know that he longed and expected soon to return to the Thessalonians (Acts 17:10- :), it is probable he remained some weeks at least, and only abandoned his intention of revisiting Thessalonica at that time when the virulence of his enemies there, stimulated by his success at Berea, brought them... read more
Ministry in Berea 17:10-15 read more
2. The ministry in Macedonia 16:11-17:15Luke recorded Paul’s ministry in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea to continue his history of Jesus’ works in Macedonia.The Macedonians were a distinct national group, though they had strong ties to the Greeks. They had offered the most stubborn resistance against Rome’s efforts to extend its influence. In an attempt to break down their strong nationalistic spirit of independence, Rome divided Macedonian territory into four districts each of which had its... read more
Hearing of Paul’s presence in Berea, the Thessalonian Jews followed him there. They evidently adopted the same tactics they had used in Thessalonica to force Paul out of Berea (cf. Acts 17:5; Acts 17:9). They had charged the missionaries with stirring up trouble (Acts 17:6), but it was really they who were disturbing the peace. read more
The text is not clear if Paul took a ship to Athens or travelled there by land. Perhaps his pursuers did not know either. It seems that Paul’s escorts took him to the sea to give the impression that they intended to put him on a ship, but then they accompanied him to Athens by land. [Note: Kent, p. 138.] In any case he reached Athens, 195 miles south-southwest of Berea, safely and sent instructions back with the Berean brethren who had accompanied him that Silas and Timothy should join him... read more
17:14 as (h-11) The use of 'as' here is not of semblance of anything, but of purpose or intention. read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 17:14
And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still. But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.There is a certain ambiguity in these verses, leading to differences of scholars as to how they should be understood. The words "as to the sea" seem to indicate that this was a feint to foil pursuing enemies;... read more