Acts 17:17 kjv
Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
Acts 17:17 nkjv
Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.
Acts 17:17 niv
So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
Acts 17:17 esv
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
Acts 17:17 nlt
He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.
Acts 17 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 9:20 | "Immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues..." | Paul's initial mission strategy after conversion |
| Acts 13:5 | "...they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues..." | Consistent practice in early missionary journeys |
| Acts 14:1 | "...they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way..." | Preaching to Jews and Gentiles in the synagogue |
| Acts 17:2-3 | "...Paul went in, as was his custom... reasoning from the Scriptures..." | His typical method: beginning with the Old Testament |
| Acts 18:4 | "And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath..." | Regular synagogue ministry in other cities |
| Acts 19:8 | "And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading..." | Extended synagogue outreach, emphasizing persuasion |
| Acts 17:16 | "While Paul was waiting... his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols." | Catalytic spiritual distress leading to widespread engagement |
| Acts 14:15 | "...turn from these vain things to a living God..." | Paul's call to turn from idols in Lystra |
| Acts 17:22-23 | "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious... 'To the Unknown God'..." | Paul's adaptable communication for pagan audiences |
| Acts 20:20 | "...how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house..." | Paul's commitment to both public and private teaching |
| Rom 1:16 | "...to the Jew first and also to the Greek." | The principle of gospel outreach priority |
| 1 Cor 9:19-23 | "...to the Jews I became as a Jew... to those outside the law as one outside the law..." | Paul's adaptive evangelism: becoming all things to all men |
| 2 Tim 2:25 | "...correcting his opponents with gentleness..." | Emphasis on the spirit of Christian discourse |
| Titus 1:9 | "...be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." | Need for a reasoned defense of faith |
| Mk 16:15 | "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." | The universal scope of the Great Commission |
| Matt 28:19-20 | "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." | The command to engage all peoples with the gospel |
| Rom 1:19-20 | "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes... are clearly perceived..." | The basis for appealing to natural revelation to pagans |
| Acts 6:10 | "But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke." | Example of effective Spirit-filled reasoned discourse |
| Col 4:5-6 | "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious..." | How to wisely and graciously interact with non-believers |
| Jude 1:3 | "...contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." | The imperative to defend Christian truth |
| Prov 11:30 | "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise." | The wisdom of intentional soul-winning and outreach |
| Jer 10:23 | "I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself..." | Acknowledging divine providence in human encounters |
| Phil 1:7 | "...for all of you share with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel." | Paul's consistent practice of defending and confirming the gospel |
| Heb 4:12 | "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..." | The inherent power of God's message in proclamation and debate |
| Isa 44:9-20 | Descriptions of the futility of idols | OT polemic against idolatry, consistent with Paul's provocation |
Acts 17 verses
Acts 17 17 Meaning
Acts 17:17 vividly describes Paul's immediate and comprehensive approach to evangelism in Athens. It illustrates his strategy of engaging both within the established Jewish community, which included Jews and Gentiles who worshipped God, and in the bustling public marketplace, speaking to anyone he encountered. This verse highlights Paul's commitment to a versatile and direct method of proclaiming the gospel through reasoned discussion to diverse audiences across all societal strata in Athens.
Acts 17 17 Context
Acts chapter 17 finds Paul on his second missionary journey, having just left Berea under duress. Arriving in Athens, he waits for Silas and Timothy. The immediate context for verse 17 is Paul's strong inner reaction (Acts 17:16) upon seeing Athens saturated with idols. This spiritual provocation drove him to engage the city. Verse 17 outlines the dual spheres of his initial outreach before his well-known discourse on Mars Hill (Areopagus). This historical and cultural setting of Athens, a city celebrated for its philosophy, intellectualism, and prolific idolatry, is crucial for understanding Paul's specific and adapted methods of outreach to its diverse inhabitants.
Acts 17 17 Word analysis
- So he reasoned (διελέγετο - dielegeto, from διαλέγομαι - dialogomai): This verb signifies more than just a unilateral sermon; it implies a two-way intellectual engagement, discussion, and debate, often with questions, answers, and arguments. It points to a persuasive discourse, characteristic of philosophical and rhetorical exchange in Athens, fitting for Paul's mission.
- in the synagogue (ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ - en tē synagōgē): The typical first point of contact for Paul in any city. It served as a common ground for Jews and "God-fearers," who shared familiarity with the Old Testament, providing a theological starting point for explaining how Christ fulfilled prophetic scriptures.
- with the Jews (τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις - tois Ioudaiois): The native Hebrew people, God's chosen nation, to whom the promises of the Messiah were originally given. Paul consistently preached to them first, upholding God's covenantal priority.
- and the devout persons (καὶ τοῖς σεβομένοις - kai tois sebomenois): Referring to God-fearers, Gentiles who revered the God of Israel, adhering to ethical monotheism, and often attending synagogue. While not full proselytes (not circumcised or fully converted to Judaism), they were receptive to the message of a new covenant, making them an important target group for early Christian missions.
- and in the marketplace (καὶ ἐν τῇ ἀγορᾷ - kai en tē agorā): The agora was the central public square of Athens, serving as a hub for commerce, politics, social interaction, and crucially, philosophical discussion. Paul's presence here indicates direct, open-air evangelism among the wider, largely pagan, citizenry.
- every day (καθ' ἡμέραν - kath' hēmeran): Emphasizes the continuous, persistent, and unwearied nature of Paul's evangelistic efforts. He did not confine his ministry to specific religious services but seized every opportunity to share the gospel.
- with those who happened to be there (τοῖς παρατυγχάνουσιν - tois paratynchanoysn): Denotes an indiscriminate engagement with any individual he encountered casually or by chance. This shows Paul's commitment to reaching all people, irrespective of their background, illustrating spontaneous and opportunistic outreach to the general public.
Words-group analysis:
- "So he reasoned in the synagogue... and in the marketplace...": This phrase vividly outlines Paul's two-pronged, adaptable, and extensive missionary strategy. It signifies his ability to engage diverse audiences using appropriate methods and starting points – Scripture for those already familiar, and broader philosophical or existential themes for others.
- "with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there": This segment clearly delineates the target groups Paul actively pursued. He ministered to the spiritually seeking within the established religious community and also courageously ventured into the secular, pagan public square, indicating his conviction that the gospel must reach all segments of society without limitation.
Acts 17 17 Bonus section
The active form of dialogomai (reasoned, conversed, debated) indicates that Paul initiated these discussions. While he presented the gospel, he was also open to objections and questions, engaging in a genuine exchange of ideas. This approach, familiar in Athenian philosophical circles, allowed Paul to establish common ground with his audience before introducing the challenging claims of Christ and the resurrection. His strategy in the agora often involved leveraging elements of natural theology or a search for truth common to all humanity, such as in his Areopagus speech where he appeals to an "Unknown God" and even quoting a Greek poet. This contextualized communication was a strategic choice, demonstrating wisdom and a willingness to transcend cultural barriers to present the eternal truths of God.
Acts 17 17 Commentary
Acts 17:17 serves as a key insight into Paul's practical missiology. Faced with the pervasive idolatry of Athens (Acts 17:16), he didn't retreat but was stirred to action. His two-fold approach, starting with the synagogue, reflects his consistent practice of sharing Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets to those already familiar with the Scriptures. The "devout persons" illustrate the receptivity of Gentile monotheists to a new understanding of God. Simultaneously, his daily reasoning in the marketplace, the heart of Athenian intellectual life, shows his readiness to directly confront paganism and sophisticated philosophical thought. This method was not just proclamation but intellectual engagement, persuading listeners through logical discourse tailored to their specific worldview. Paul exemplified flexible yet relentless dedication to spreading the gospel wherever people could be found, moving beyond formal religious settings to engage the broader society. His adaptability demonstrates that effective evangelism requires meeting people where they are, both geographically and intellectually.