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Acts 17:15

in Acts 17

Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

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.

KJV

And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

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This verse in Acts 17

Commentary

8 notes on this verse
And they that conducted Paul,.... From Berea to the sea side: brought him unto Athens; a famous city in Attica, where both (q) Pliny and Ptolomy (r) place it, well known for the learning and wisdom of the ancient philosophers, who had their schools and universities in it; the former of these calls it a free city, and says, it needed no description nor commendation, its fame was so diffused everywhere.

This site's exposition

stirred up the people

on Acts 17:13-15

The Thessalonian opposition follows Paul to Berea and stirs up the people there as well, the same hostility crossing the sixty miles between the cities. The brethren send Paul away toward the coast while Silas and Timotheus remain, a pattern of the team dividing and regathering that will recur through the mission. Those who conduct Paul bring him as far as Athens and carry back a commandment for Silas and Timotheus to come with all speed. The bench notes how much of the mission's shape is owed to nameless brethren doing the unglamorous work of guiding, guarding, and relaying a fugitive apostle from city to city.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 37 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

So far is it from being the case, that supernatural Grace worked all alike on all occasions: on the contrary, it left them to take their measures upon human judgment, only stirring them up and rousing them out of sleep, and making them to take pains. Thus, observe, it brought them safe only as far as Philippi, but no more after that.

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 37 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

"And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with speed, they departed." For though he was a Paul, nevertheless he needed them. And with good reason are they urged by God to go into Macedonia, for there lay Greece moreover bright before them. (ch. xvi. 9.)

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

It was a great university, much resorted to from all parts, and therefore, for the better diffusing of gospel light, Paul is sent thither, and is not ashamed nor afraid to show his face among the philosophers there, and there to preach Christ crucified, though he knew it would be as much foolishness to the Greeks as it was to the Jews a stumbling-block.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

Unto Athens - This was the first visit of Paul to this celebrated city; and perhaps the first visit of a Christian minister. His success in this city, for some cause, was not great, but his preaching was attended with the conversion of some individuals. See Act 17:34. Athens was the most celebrated city of Greece, and was distinguished for the military talents, the learning, the eloquence, and the politeness of its inhabitants. It was founded by Cecrops and an Egyptian colony about 1556 years before the Christian era.

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

Upon the first contact, therefore, which the Spirit of Christ came into with the sublimest creations of human art, the judgment of the Holy Ghost--through which they have all to pass--is set up as "the strait gate," and this must remain the correct standard for ever" [BAUMGARTEN].

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — odd-straight-quotes

1 more voice on this verse

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

Brought him unto Athens - This was one of the most celebrated cities in the world, whether we consider its antiquity, its learning, its political consequence, or the valor of its inhabitants. This city, which was the capital of Attica, and the seat of the Grecian empire was founded by Cecrops, about a.m. 2447, before Christ 1557, and was called by him Cecropia. About thirteen or fourteen hundred years before Christ, in the reign either of Erechtheus, or Erichthonius, it was called Athens, from Αθηνη, a name of Minerva, to whom it was dedicated, and who was always considered the protectress of the city. The whole city at first was built upon a hill or rock, in the midst of a spacious plain; but, in process of time, the whole plain was covered with buildings which were called the lower city; while the ancient was called Acropolis, or the upper city. In its most flourishing state this city was not less than one hundred and seventy-eight stadia, or twenty-two Roman miles in circumference. The buildings of Athens were the most superb, and best executed, in the world; but every thing is now in a state of ruin. Mr. Stuart, in his three folio vols. of the Antiquities of Athens, has given correct representations of those that remain, with many geographical notices of much importance. The greatest men that ever lived, scholars, lawyers, statesmen, and warriors, were Athenians. Its institutions, laws, and literature, were its own unrivalled boast, and the envy of the world. The city still exists; the Acropolis in a state of comparative repair. It is now in the hands of the Greeks; but the Turks, who held it till lately, have turned the celebrated Parthenon, or temple of Minerva, into a mosque. The inhabitants are reckoned at about one thousand. Christianity, planted here by St. […]

The words behind it

24 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

13 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

1 Thessalonians 3:1So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.9 worksActs 18:5And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.6 worksActs 18:1After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.5 works2 Timothy 4:10–11because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.4 worksTitus 3:12As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.3 worksActs 17:21Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas.2 works
The other 7 cross-references, with their words ▾
2 Timothy 4:20–21Erastus has remained at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick in Miletus.2 worksActs 17:16While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.2 worksActs 15:3Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers.2 works1 Corinthians 14:36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?2 works1 Corinthians 16:6Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go.2 worksActs 9:30When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.2 worksRomans 15:19by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Acts 18:5

    And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

    it leads to

    • 2 Corinthians 5:14

      For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.

    • Acts 18:28

      For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

    • Acts 9:22

      But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

    • Acts 17:3

      explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.

    • Acts 20:21

      testifying to Jews and Greeks alike about repentance to God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Through

    Acts 18:1

    After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

    it leads to

    • 1 Corinthians 1:2

      To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their…

    • 2 Timothy 4:20

      Erastus has remained at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick in Miletus.

  • Through

    1 Thessalonians 3:1

    So when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left on our own in Athens.

    it leads to

    • 1 Thessalonians 3:5

      For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and caused our labor to be in…

Where this verse is studied

About Acts

The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 17 →

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); J. A. Alexander, The Acts of the Apostles Explained; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 37; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.

Read on in Acts 17 →