Acts 17:16

Translations

Modern

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.

Traditional

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

Literal

Now Paul in Athens waiting for them, his spirit was provoked in him, seeing the city to be utterly idolatrous.

Latin

Paulus autem cum Athenis eos exspectaret, incitabatur spiritus ejus in ipso, videns idololatriæ deditam civitatem.

Original

Greek

English

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.

Notes

Acts 17:16–17

Athens, like Alexandria and Tarsus, was proud of its learning and love of ideas. People there spent time studying and discussing different philosophies (ways of thinking about life and the world) that were popular at that time.

Acts 17:16–34

In this chapter, we see Paul presented as a model witness for Christ, engaging the thinkers of his day and challenging them with the Christian message. Paul quoted writers his audience would be familiar with and showed the relevance of the gospel by dialoguing with them, critiquing their assumptions, and offering Jesus as a constructive alternative (see Colossians 1:28).

Paul reminded these proud intellectuals that there is a living God to whom all human beings are answerable; that they will be judged by him through Jesus, whom God raised from the dead; and that they should therefore repent and put their faith in Jesus.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Natural Revelation The Good News Message The Unknown God

Events

Second Missionary Journeyc. AD 46
Paul preaches in Athens

Related verses

Psalm 119:158
I look on the faithless with loathing because they do not keep Your word.
Exodus 32:19–20
As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger and threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain.
2 Peter 2:7
…and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless
Psalm 119:136
My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed.
Micah 3:8
As for me, however, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and courage, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.
Jeremiah 20:9
If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.
Mark 3:5
Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.
Job 32:18–20
For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
Job 32:2–3
This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God,
Psalm 69:9
…because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.
1 Kings 19:10
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
1 Kings 19:14
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

People

Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles

Places

Athens: A major city in Greece, visited by Paul

Glossary

Architecture Areopagus Athens Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) First Letter to the Thessalonians Jude, Letter of Mars’ Hill Pagans Stoicism, Stoics Synagogue Travel

Topics

Athens: A City of Greece Gentiles: Unclassified Sciptures Relating To Idolatry: Athenians Idolatry: Denunciations Against Paul: Debates on Mars' Hill (At the Meeting of the Areopagus Council) with Greeks Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul

Acts 17:16

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?