Acts 17:21, Acts 17:22 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 17:21

For all the Athenians ,.... The natives of Athens, who were born and lived there, and were inhabitants of the city, and free of it: and strangers which were there ; who came there from several parts of the world, to get wisdom and knowledge, to learn the several arts and sciences, and to attend the several sects of philosophers they made choice of: spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing ; that is, they did so for the most part; and this was the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:21

All the Athenians and strangers which were there - As Athens was renowned for its wisdom and learning, it became a place of public resort for philosophers and students from different parts of the then civilized world. The flux of students was in consequence great; and these, having much leisure time, would necessarily be curious to know what was passing in the world, and would frequently assemble together, in places of public resort, to meet with strangers just come to the city; and either,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

The cross of Christ in the metropolis of art and philosophy. There is a singular interest in this first encounter of the gospel with the art and philosophy of Athens, and it is instructive to note the attitude taken by the great preacher in the encounter. Whether St. Paul had artistic taste we have no means of knowing. But probably, as a devout Jew, seeing that sculpture was so largely employed in the images of the gods and the deified emperors, his eye would not have been trained to look... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

Paul at Athens. Paul stands in Athens, amidst the master-pieces of Greek art and the memorials of Greek wisdom. It is not admiration or aesthetic delight which is awakened in him, but moral indignation. Christianity is not opposed to art; but Christianity does not approve the worship of sensuous or ideal beauty apart from moral earnestness. In the true relation, religion absorbs art into itself; when art is substituted for religion, there is moral decay. Nor is Christianity hostile to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

Paul at Athens. Consider— I. The connection of the whole with THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY . The Greek mind evangelized. The function of Greek thought in the development of doctrine. The contrast between the gospel and philosophy. The step towards the conquest of the world. II. The illustration of THE APOSTOLIC METHOD . Adaptation of the truth to every class of mind. Difference of the preaching when the foundation of the Jewish Scriptures was for the time forsaken.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:18-21

Curiosity at the feet of Christ. In the company which gathered on Mars' Hill, to listen to the Christian teacher, we have a picture of curiosity sitting at the feet of Christ. For it is clear that this was not a court sitting to try a prisoner, but a chance company of citizens, wishing to hear what new and strange doctrine this visitor had brought them. I. THE CURIOSITY WHICH IS CONTEMPTUOUS . "What will this babbler say?" said some using the language of superciliousness.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:19-21

The passion for something new. Demosthenes said, in one of his speeches, "Tell me, is it all you care for, to go about up and down the market, asking each other, 'Is there any news?'" The restless inquisitiveness of the Athenian character had all along been proverbial. It did not alone distinguish the Athenians, though it gained a peculiar prominence in their case. It has returned upon man in such power, now that telegraphs and newspapers bind the nations together, that it may profitably... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:21

Now for for , A.V.; the strangers sojourning there for strangers which were there, A.V. Spent their time . This gives the general sense, but the margin of the R.T., had leisure for nothing else, is much more accurate. εὐκαιρεῖν , which is not considered good Greek, is only used by Polybius, and in the sense either of "being wealthy" or of "having leisure" or "opportunity." In the New Testament it occurs in Mark 6:31 and 1 Corinthians 16:12 . Some new thing . So Cleon... read more

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 17:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:18-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:21

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