Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 17
Matthew Henry Commentary
Acts 17
Matthew Henry Commentary
Acts 17
"Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, [said he,] I proclaim unto you, is the Christ. And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people. And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus. And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go." — Acts 17:1-9 (ASV)
The aim and scope of Paul's preaching and arguing was to prove that Jesus is the Christ. He necessarily had to suffer for us, because he could not otherwise purchase our redemption for us; and he necessarily had to have risen again, because he could not otherwise apply that redemption to us.
We are to preach concerning Jesus that he is Christ; therefore, we may hope to be saved by him and are bound to be ruled by him.
The unbelieving Jews were angry because the apostles preached to the Gentiles that they might be saved. How strange it is that people should grudge others the privileges they will not themselves accept!
Neither rulers nor people need to be troubled at the increase of real Christians, even though turbulent spirits may use religion as a pretext for evil designs. Let us beware of such people, and let us withdraw from them, so that we may show a desire to act rightly in society while we claim our right to worship God according to our consciences.
"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea: who when they were come thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes. And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still. 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." — Acts 17:10-15 (ASV)
The Jews in Berea diligently studied the word preached to them. They not only heard Paul preach on the Sabbath, but daily searched the Scriptures and compared what they read with the message they heard. The doctrine of Christ does not fear inquiry; advocates for His cause desire only that people will fully and fairly examine whether these things are so or not. Those who make the Scriptures their rule and consult them accordingly are truly noble and likely to become even more so. May all hearers of the gospel become like those of Berea, receiving the word with readiness of mind and searching the Scriptures daily, whether the things preached to them are so.
"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him. And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection. And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by thee? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.)" — Acts 17:16-21 (ASV)
Athens was then famed for refined learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; yet no one is more childish, superstitious, impious, or credulous than some persons deemed eminent for learning and ability. It was wholly given to idolatry. The zealous advocate for the cause of Christ will be ready to plead for it in any company, as occasion offers.
Most of these learned men paid no attention to Paul; but some, whose beliefs were most directly contrary to Christianity, commented on him. The apostle always emphasized two points, which are indeed the principal doctrines of Christianity: Christ and a future state—Christ our way, and heaven our end. They regarded this as very different from the knowledge taught and professed in Athens for many ages; they desired to know more of it, but only because it was new and strange.
They led him to the place where judges who inquired into such matters sat. They asked about Paul's doctrine, not because it was good, but because it was new. Great talkers are always busybodies. They spend their time in nothing else, and a very uncomfortable account of their time will those have to give, who spend it in this way.
Time is precious, and we ought to use it well, because eternity depends upon it, but much time is wasted in unprofitable conversation.
"And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that ye are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you. The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is he served by men`s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined [their] appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man. The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent: inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." — Acts 17:22-31 (ASV)
Here we have a sermon addressed to heathens, who worshipped false gods and were without the true God in the world. For them, the scope of the discourse was different from what the apostle preached to the Jews. In the latter case, his task was to lead his hearers by prophecies and miracles to the knowledge of the Redeemer and faith in Him. In the former, it was to lead them, by the common works of providence, to know the Creator and worship Him.
The apostle spoke of an altar he had seen, with the inscription, “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” This fact is stated by many writers. After multiplying their idols to the utmost, some at Athens thought there was another god whom they did not know. And are there not many today, called Christians, who are zealous in their devotions, yet the great object of their worship is to them an unknown God?
Observe what glorious things Paul here says of that God whom he served and wanted them to serve. The Lord had long borne with idolatry, but the times of this ignorance were now ending, and by His servants He now commanded all men every where to repent of their idolatry. Each sect of the learned men would feel powerfully affected by the apostle's discourse, which tended to show the emptiness or falsity of their doctrines.
"Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again. Thus Paul went out from among them. But certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them." — Acts 17:32-34 (ASV)
The apostle was treated with more outward civility at Athens than in some other places; but none despised his doctrine more, or treated it with more indifference. Of all subjects, that which deserves the most attention gains the least.
But those who scorn will have to bear the consequences, and the word will never be useless. Some will be found who hold fast to the Lord and listen to His faithful servants.
Consideration of the judgment to come, and of Christ as our Judge, should urge all to repent of sin and turn to Him. Whatever subject is addressed, all discourses must lead to Him and show His authority; our salvation and resurrection come from Him and through Him.
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