Hello, Athens! (Acts 17)

Scripture reading – Acts 17 

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

Our chronological study of the Acts of the Apostles continues with Acts 17.

Macedonia, the land between the Balkans and the Greek Peninsula, was the first region in Europe to receive the Gospel (Acts 16:9). (Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 for more insight into the churches of Macedonia.) I invite you to consider the historical context of our Scripture by briefly reviewing the events that preceded it.

Paul’s ministry in Philippi (Acts 16) stirred up enemies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He and Silas were falsely accused of teaching “customs, which [were] not lawful…to observe, being Romans” (Acts 16:21). They were then beaten and jailed (Acts 16:22-24). The next day, they were set free and departed from Philippi (Acts 16:39-40), and “when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica” (Acts 17:1).

Acts 17

Acts 17 records Paul and Silas’ ministry in three prominent cities: Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9), Berea (Acts 17:10-14), and Athens (Acts 17:15-34). As was his custom, Paul entered each city and, on the Sabbath, went to the local synagogue. Faithful to his calling and bold in preaching, he declared Jesus the Messiah (i.e., the Anointed One) and Savior (Acts 17:1-3).

Time and space limit an in-depth study of Paul’s ministry in those cities, but I trust that my amplification of key verses will be a blessing.

The City of Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4)

We read, “Now when they [Paul and Silas] had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: ² And Paul, as his manner was [i.e., his custom or habit], went in unto them [the Jews in the synagogue at Thessalonica], and three sabbath days reasoned [disputed; preached; conversed] with them out of the scriptures [i.e., The Old Testament Scriptures], ³  Opening [explaining; setting forth] and alleging, that Christ must needs [ought; should] have suffered [experienced pain], and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach [declare; proclaim] unto you, is Christ [the Messiah]” (Acts 17:1-3).

Many in Thessalonica believed and “consorted” with Paul and Silas (in effect, became their disciples; Acts 17:4). What an exciting time in the early years of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8), as “devout,” God-fearing Greeks and prominent women openly identified with Paul and Silas and the Gospel they preached (Acts 17:4).

Yet some Jews in the synagogue rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Jealous, they stirred up opposition against Paul and Silas (Acts 17:5-7).

Notice the character and manner of those who set themselves against Paul and Silas. (Acts 17:5-10)

“But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy [jealous over Paul’s success], took unto them certain lewd [evil; wicked] fellows of the baser sort [vulgar; good for nothing], and gathered a company [crowd], and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason [a believer], and sought to bring them [Paul and Silas] out to the people [to accuse and attack them]. ⁶ And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down [made an uproar] are come hither also; ⁷ Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees [laws; ordinances] of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.” (Acts 17:5-7)

Fearing for the safety and welfare of Paul and Silas, the Thessalonian believers urged them to flee the city “by night unto Berea” (Acts 17:10a). Though driven out of one city, Paul and Silas arrived in Berea and “went into the synagogue of the Jews” (Acts 17:10b).

The City of Berea (Acts 17:11-14)

The reception of the Jews in Berea offers a refreshing contrast to the wicked character of the Jews in Thessalonica. They “were more noble [i.e., noble-minded] than those in Thessalonica, in that they received [accepted] the word with all readiness of mind [eagerly; joyfully], and searched [examined; investigated] the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

I wish that we all might be “Berean believers” who search “the scriptures daily.” Many believers would be spared error and heresy if they were dedicated students of God’s Word.

When Paul and Silas’ Thessalonian adversaries learned that they were in Berea, they came to incite the Bereans against them (Acts 17:13). Then the believers sent Paul away, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea until Paul sent word for them to join him in Athens (Acts 17:14-15).

The City of Athens (Acts 17:15-34)

Paul journeyed to Athens, a city known for its scholarship and idolatry. After seeing idols throughout the ancient city, Paul boldly proclaimed Jesus Christ in the synagogue and in public places (Acts 17:16-17). Standing on Mars’ Hill, a meeting place for the Athenians, Paul said, “Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things [everything] ye are too superstitious [religious; i.e., fearing the idol gods]” (Acts 17:22). Paul then reasoned with the men of Athens that, since “we are the offspring of God,” we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto “gold, or silver, or stone, graven [scratched; etched; sculpted] by art and man’s device [thought or imagination]” (Acts 17:29).

Raising his voice in an appeal that invited belief in God’s revelation of Himself, His judgment, and the resurrection of Christ, Paul challenged the men of Athens:

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at [overlooked; did not punish]; but now commandeth [declares] all men every where to repent [change of mind accompanied by sorrow]: ³¹ Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge [condemn] the world in righteousness [justice] by that man whom he hath ordained [i.e., Jesus Christ]; whereof he [God] hath given assurance unto all men, in that he [God] hath raised him [Jesus Christ] from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).

Closing thoughts (Acts 17:20-34)

Imagine the shock to the pride of those men of Athens who, in the words of the Scripture, did nothing more than want to “tell, or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21). Here was Paul, who boldly declared what they knew in their hearts, namely that the God of creation and heaven (Acts 17:24) was nothing like the idols they had sculpted with their hands and worshipped (Acts 17:29).

Paul then warned that God would no longer overlook their willful ignorance, but “now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30). As in our day, some mocked and rejected the Gospel (Acts 17:32a), others wanted to hear more (Acts 17:32b), and some believed (Acts 17:34).

What about you? What do you believe? Is your heart ready for God’s judgment? (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith 

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