Acts 17:16-17 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 17:16-21

A scholar that has acquaintance, and is in love, with the learning of the ancients, would think he should be very happy if he were where Paul now was, at Athens, in the midst of the various sects of philosophers, and would have a great many curious questions to ask them, for the explication of the remains we have of the Athenian learning; but Paul, though bred a scholar, and an ingenious active man, does not make this any of his business at Athens. He has other work to mind: it is not the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 17:16-21

17:16-21 When Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was deeply vexed as he saw the whole city full of idols. He debated with the Jews and the worshippers in the synagogue and every day he talked in the city square with everyone he met. Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers took issue with him. Some of them said, "What would this gutter-sparrow of a man be saying?" Others said, "He seems to be the herald of strange divinities." This they said because he told the good news of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 17:16

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens ..... That is, for Silas and Timotheus: his spirit was stirred in him ; not only his soul was troubled and his heart was grieved, but he was exasperated and provoked to the last degree: he was in a paroxysm; his heart was hot within him; he had a burning fire in his bones, and was weary with forbearing, and could not stay; his zeal wanted vent, and he gave it: when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry ; or "full of idols", as the Syriac... read more

John Gill

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

Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews ,.... There being a synagogue of the Jews here, and there being many Jews settled in this place, hence we read in Jewish writings F3 Echa Rabbati, fol. 43. 3,4. & 44. 1. of men going from Jerusalem to Athens, and from Athens to Jerusalem; and hence it may be accounted for, how many of the Athenian philosophers came to be acquainted with the books and sentiments of the Jews, from whom they borrowed may things; since there were so... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:16

He saw the city wholly given to idolatry - Κατειδωλον , Full of idols, as the margin has it, and very properly. Whoever examines the remains of this city, as represented by Mr. Stuart in his Antiquities, already referred to, will be satisfied of the truth of St. Luke's remark: it was full of idols. Bishop Pearce produces a most apposite quotation from Pausanias, which confirms the observation: Ουκ ην αλλαχου τοσαυτα ιδειν ειδωλα . There was no place where so many idols were to be seen.... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews - Proving that Jesus was the Messiah: and with the devout persons, probably heathens, proselyted to the Jewish religion. And in the market: I suppose the αγορα here means some such place as our exchange, where people of business usually met, and where the philosophers conversed and reasoned. The agora was probably like the Roman forum, and like places of public resort in all countries, where people of leisure assembled to converse, hear the news,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:16

Verse 16− 16.Was sore grieved. Though Paul, whithersoever he came, did stoutly execute that function of teaching which he knew was enjoined with him, yet Luke showeth that he was more incensed and moved at Athens, because he saw idolatry reign more there than in any other place for the most part. The whole world was then full of idols; the pure worship of God could be found nowhere; and there were everywhere innumerable monsters of superstitions, but Satan had made the city of Athens more mad... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 17− 17.With the Jews and religious men. It was an ordinary thing with Paul, wheresoever the Jews had synagogues, there to begin, and to offer Christ to his own nation. After that he went to the Gentiles, who, having tasted of the doctrine of the law, though they were not as yet thoroughly nousled up in [imbued with] true godliness, did, notwithstanding, worship the God of Israel, and being desirous to learn, did not refuse those things which they knew were taken out of Moses and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:15-17

A saddening spectacle: a missionary sermon. The spirit of Paul was "stirred in him" ( Acts 17:16 ) by the statues which crowded the city of Athens. That which would yield intense gratification to any modern traveler plunged the apostle into deep melancholy and gloom. But there is a vast difference between then and now. Then idolatry was regnant; now it is dethroned. Then the worship of the living God had but one representative in that populous city; now there is not one idolater to... read more