WHEN THEY HAD PASSED THROUGH (διοδευσαντες). First aorist active participle of διοδευω, common verb in the _Koine_ (Polybius, Plutarch, LXX, etc.), but in the N.T. only here and Luke 8:1. It means literally to make one's way (οδος) through (δια). They took the Egnatian Way, one of the great Roman... [ Continue Reading ]
AS HIS CUSTOM WAS (κατα το ειωθος τω Παυλω). The same construction in Luke 4:16 about Jesus in Nazareth (κατα το ειωθος αυτω) with the second perfect active participle neuter singular from εθω. Paul's habit was to go to the Jewish synagogue to use the Jews and the God-fearers as a springboard for... [ Continue Reading ]
OPENING AND ALLEGING (διανοιγων κα παρατιθεμενος). Opening the Scriptures, Luke means, as made plain by the mission and message of Jesus, the same word (διανοιγω) used by him of the interpretation of the Scriptures by Jesus (Luke 24:32) and of the opening of the mind of the disciples also by Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME OF THEM (τινες εξ αυτων). That is of the Jews who were evidently largely afraid of the rabbis. Still "some" were persuaded (επεισθησαν, effective first aorist passive indicative) and "consorted with" (προσεκληρωθησαν). This latter verb is also first aorist passive indicative of προσκληροω, a... [ Continue Reading ]
MOVED WITH JEALOUSY (ζηλωσαντες). Both our English words,ZEAL andJEALOUSY , are from the Greek ζηλος. In Acts 13:45 the Jews (rabbis) "were filled with jealousy" (επλησθησαν ζηλου). That is another way of saying the same thing as here. The success of Paul was entirely too great in both places... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY FOUND THEM NOT (μη ευροντες). Usual negative μη with the participle in the _Koine_, second aorist (effective) active participle, complete failure with all the noise and "bums."THEY DRAGGED (εσυρον). Imperfect active, vivid picture, they were dragging (literally). See already Acts 8:3;... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM JASON HATH RECEIVED (ους υποδεδεκτα Ιασων). Present perfect middle indicative of υποδεχομα, to entertain, old verb, but in N.T. only in Luke 10:38; Luke 19:6; Acts 17:7; James 2:25. This is Jason's crime and he is the prisoner before the politarchs.THESE ALL (ουτο παντες). Jason, the "bret... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY TROUBLED THE MULTITUDE AND THE RULERS (εταραξαν τον οχλον κα τους πολιταρχας). First aorist active of ταρασσω, old verb to agitate. The excitement of the multitude "agitated" the politarchs still more. To the people it meant a revolution, to the politarchs a charge of complicity in treason i... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THEY HAD TAKEN SECURITY (λαβοντες το ικανον). A Greek idiom=Latin _satis accipere_, to receive the sufficient (bond), usually money for the fulfilment of the judgment. Probably the demand was made of Jason that he see to it that Paul and Silas leave the city not to return. In 1 Thessalonians... [ Continue Reading ]
IMMEDIATELY BY NIGHT (ευθεως δια νυκτος). Paul's work had not been in vain in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:20). Paul loved the church here. Two of them, Aristarchus and Secundus, will accompany him to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4) and Aristarchus will go on wi... [ Continue Reading ]
MORE NOBLE THAN THOSE (ευγενεστερο των). Comparative form of ευγενης, old and common adjective, but in N.T. only here and Luke 19:12; 1 Corinthians 1:26. Followed by ablative case των as often after the comparative.WITH ALL READINESS OF MIND (μετα πασης προθυμιας). Old word from προθυμος (προ,... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY THEREFORE (Πολλο μεν ουν). As a result of this Bible study.ALSO OF THE GREEK WOMEN OF HONOURABLE ESTATE . The word Hελληνις means Greek woman, but the word γυνη is added. In particular women of rank (ευσχημονων, from ευ and εχω, graceful figure and the honourable standing) as in Acts 13:50... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS PROCLAIMED (κατηγγελη). Second aorist passive indicative of καταγγελλω, common late verb as in Acts 16:21.OF PAUL (υπο Παυλου). By Paul, of course.STIRRING UP AND TROUBLING THE MULTITUDES (σαλευοντες κα ταρασσοντες τους οχλους). Shaking the crowds like an earthquake (Acts 4:31) and disturb... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEN IMMEDIATELY (ευθεως δε τοτε). They acted swiftly as in Thessalonica.SENT FORTH (εξαπεστειλαν). Double compound (εξ, απο, both out and away) common in late Greek. First aorist active indicative (εξαποστελλω, liquid verb). Same form in Acts 9:30.AS FAR AS TO THE SEA (εως επ την θαλασσαν... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEY THAT CONDUCTED PAUL (ο δε καθιστανοντες τον Παυλον). Articular present active participle of καθιστανω (late form in A B of καθιστημ or καθισταω), an old verb with varied uses to put down, to constitute, to conduct, etc. This use here is in the LXX (Joshua 6:23) and old Greek also.TO ATHE... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHILE PAUL WAITED FOR THEM IN ATHENS (Εν δε ταις Αθηναις εκδεχομενου αυτους του Παυλου). Genitive absolute with present middle participle of εκδεχομα, old verb to receive, but only with the sense of looking out for, expecting found here and elsewhere in N.T We know that Timothy did come to Pau... [ Continue Reading ]
SO HE REASONED (διελεγετο μεν ουν). Accordingly therefore, with his spirit stirred by the proof of idolatry. Imperfect middle of διαλεγω, same verb used in verse Acts 17:2 which see. First he reasoned in the synagogue at the services to the Jews and the God-fearers, then daily in the agora or mark... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CERTAIN ALSO OF THE EPICUREAN AND STOIC PHILOSOPHERS ENCOUNTERED HIM (τινες δε κα των Επικουριων κα Στωικων φιλοσοφων συνεβαλλον αυτω). Imperfect active of συνβαλλω, old verb, in the N.T. only by Luke, to bring or put together in one's mind (Luke 2:19), to meet together (Acts 20:14), to bring... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY TOOK HOLD OF HIM (επιλαβομενο δε αυτου). Second aorist middle participle of επιλαμβανω, old verb, but in the N.T. only in the middle, here with the genitive αυτου to lay hold of, but with no necessary sense of violence (Acts 9:27; Acts 23:27; Mark 8:23), unless the idea is that Paul was t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU BRINGEST CERTAIN STRANGE THINGS (ξενιζοντα γαρ τινα εισφερεις). The very verb used by Xenophon (_Mem_. I) about Socrates. Ξενιζοντα is present active neuter plural participle of ξενιζω and from ξενος (verse Acts 17:18), "things surprising or shocking us."WE WOULD KNOW THEREFORE (βουλομ... [ Continue Reading ]
SPENT THEIR TIME (ηυκαιρουν). Imperfect active of ευκαιρεω. A late word to have opportunity (ευ, καιρος) from Polybius on. In the N.T. only here and Mark 6:31. They had time for,.etc. This verse is an explanatory parenthesis by Luke.SOME NEW THING (τ καινοτερον). Literally "something newer" or... [ Continue Reading ]
STOOD IN THE MIDST OF THE AREOPAGUS (σταθεις εν μεσω του Αρειου Παγου). First aorist passive of ιστημ used of Peter in Acts 2:14. Majestic figure whether on Mars Hill or in the Stoa Basilica before the Areopagus Court. There would be a crowd of spectators and philosophers in either case and Paul... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR (γαρ). Paul gives an illustration of their religiousness from his own experiences in their city.THE OBJECTS OF YOUR WORSHIP (τα σεβασματα υμων). Late word from σεβαζομα, to worship. In N T. only here and 2 Thessalonians 2:4. The use of this word for temples, altars, statues, shows the conci... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GOD THAT MADE THE WORLD (Hο θεος ο ποιησας τον κοσμον). Not a god for this and a god for that like the 30,000 gods of the Athenians, but the one God who made the Universe (κοσμος on the old Greek sense of orderly arrangement of the whole universe).AND ALL THINGS THEREIN (κα παντα τα εν αυτω... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THOUGH HE NEEDED ANYTHING (προσδεομενος τινος). Present middle participle of προσδεομα, to want besides, old verb, but here only in the N.T. This was strange doctrine for the people thought that the gods needed their offerings for full happiness. This self-sufficiency of God was taught by Phil... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE MADE OF ONE (εποιησεν τε εξ ενος). The word αιματος (blood) is absent from Aleph A B and is a later explanatory addition. What Paul affirms is the unity of the human race with a common origin and with God as the Creator. This view runs counter to Greek exclusiveness which treated other race... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THEY SHOULD SEEK GOD (Ζητειν τον θεον). Infinitive (present active) of purpose again. Seek him, not turn away from him as the nations had done (Romans 1:18-32).IF HAPLY THEY MIGHT FEEL AFTER HIM (ε αρα γε ψηλαφησειαν αυτον). First aorist active (Aeolic form) optative of ψηλαφαω, old verb fr... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN HIM (εν αυτω γαρ). Proof of God's nearness, not stoic pantheism, but real immanence in God as God dwells in us. The three verbs (ζωμεν, κινουμεθα, εσμεν) form an ascending scale and reach a climax in God (life, movement, existence). Κινουμεθα is either direct middle present indicative (we... [ Continue Reading ]
WE OUGHT NOT TO THINK (ουκ οφειλομεν νομιζειν). It is a logical conclusion (ουν, therefore) from the very language of Aratus and Cleanthes.THAT THE GODHEAD IS LIKE (το θειον εινα ομοιον). Infinitive with accusative of general reference in indirect discourse. Το θειον is strictly "the divine" na... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TIMES OF IGNORANCE (τους χρονους της αγνοιας). The times before full knowledge of God came in Jesus Christ. Paul uses the very word for their ignorance (αγνοουντες) employed in verse Acts 17:23.OVERLOOKED (υπεριδων). Second aorist active participle of υπεροραω or υπερειδω, old verb to see be... [ Continue Reading ]
INASMUCH AS (καθοτ). According as (κατα, οτ). Old causal conjunction, but in N.T. only used in Luke's writings (Luke 1:7; Luke 19:9; Acts 2:45; Acts 4:35; Acts 17:31).HATH APPOINTED A DAY (εστησεν ημεραν) First aorist active indicative of ιστημ, to place, set. God did set the day in his counsel... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD (αναστασιν νεκρων). Rather, "a resurrection of dead men." No article with either word. The Greeks believed that the souls of men lived on, but they had no conception of resurrection of the body. They had listened with respect till Paul spoke of the actual resurrection... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS PAUL WENT OUT FROM AMONG THEM (ουτως ο Παυλος εξηλθεν εκ μεσου αυτων). No further questions, no effort to arrest him, no further ridicule. He walked out never to return to Athens. Had he failed?... [ Continue Reading ]
CLAVE UNTO HIM AND BELIEVED (κολληθεντες αυτω επιστευσαν). First aorist passive of this strong word κολλαω, to glue to, common in Acts (Acts 5:13; Acts 8:29; Acts 9:26; Acts 10:28) No sermon is a failure which leads a group of men (ανδρες) to believe (ingressive aorist of πιστευω) in Jesus Christ... [ Continue Reading ]