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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 17:1-9

Paul's two epistles to the Thessalonians, the first two he wrote by inspiration, give such a shining character of that church, that we cannot but be glad here in the history to meet with an account of the first founding of the church there. I. Here is Paul's coming to Thessalonica, which was the chief city of this country, called at this day Salonech, in the Turkish dominions. Observe, 1. Paul went on with his work, notwithstanding the ill usage he had met with at Philippi; he did not fail,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 17:1-9

17:1-9 When they had taken the road through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Paul, as his custom was, went in to them and, for three Sabbaths, he debated with them from the scriptures, opening the scriptures to them and presenting the evidence that Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, "and this man," he said, "is the Christ, Jesus whom I proclaim to you." Some of them believed and threw in their lot with Paul and Silas.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 17:1

Now when they had passed through Amphipolls ,.... A city of Macedonia, where it is placed by Pliny F17 Nat. Hist. l. 4. c. 10. ; according to Ptolomy F18 Geograph. l. 3. c. 13. , it was in that part of Macedonia, which is called Edonis, and was near Philippi, and lay in the way from thence to Thessalonica; Harpocratian F19 Lexic. Decem. Orat. p. 20, 104. Vid. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 10. c. 8. says, it was a city of Thrace, formerly called "the Nine Ways"; it was upon the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 17:2

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them ,.... To the Jews in their synagogue; for though the Jews had put away the Gospel from them, and the apostle had turned to the Gentiles; yet he still retained a great affection for his countrymen the Jews, and as often as he had opportunity, attended their synagogues, in order to preach the Gospel to them; and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures : that is, out of the Old Testament, concerning the Messiah, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 17:3

Opening ,.... That is, the Scriptures of the Old Testament, explaining and expounding them, giving the true sense of them; so this word is frequently used in Jewish writings F5 Zohar passim. , as that such a Rabbi פתח , "opened", such a Scripture: and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead ; he set this matter in a clear light, and made it plain and manifest, from the writings of the Old Testament, that there was a necessity of the Messiah's... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:1

Passed through Amphipolis - This city was the metropolis of the first division of Macedonia, as made by Paulus Aemilius: see the note on Acts 16:10 . It was builded by Cimon, the Athenian general, who sent 10,000 Athenians thither as a colony. It stood in an island in the river Strymon, and had its name of Amphipolis because included between the two grand branches of that river where they empty themselves into the sea, the river being on both sides of the city. Apollonia - This was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:2

As his manner was - He constantly offered salvation first to the Jews; and for this purpose attended their Sabbath-days' meetings at their synagogues. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:3

Opening and alleging - Παρατιθεμνος , Proving by citations. His method seems to have been this: 1st. He collected the scriptures that spoke of the Messiah. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:1

Verse 1− 1.They came to Thessalonica. We know not why Paul attempted nothing at Amphipolis and Appollonia, which were, notwithstanding, famous cities, as appeareth by Pliny; save only because he followed the Spirit of God as his guide; and took occasion by the present matter, as occasion he did also essay to do some good there, but because it was without any good success, therefore Luke passeth over it. And whereas being beaten at Philippos, [Philippi,] and scarce escaping out of great danger,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:2

Verse 2− 2.He disputed. Luke setteth down first what was the sum of the disputation; to wit, that Jesus, the son of Mary, is Christ, who was promised in times past in the law and the prophets, who, by the sacrifice of his death, did make satisfaction for the sins of the world, and brought righteousness and life by his resurrection; secondly, how he proved that which he taught. Let us handle this second member first. Luke saith that he disputed out of the Scriptures; therefore the proofs of... read more

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