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Acts 17:1-4

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also, whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!” The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things. When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.

    Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

    explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

    Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    As they made their iorney thorow Amphipolis and Appolonia they came to Thessalonica where was a synagoge of the Iewes.

    And Paul as his maner was went in vnto them and thre saboth doyes declared oute of the scripture vnto them

    openynge and allegynge that Christ must nedes have suffred and rysen agayne from deeth and that this Iesus was Christ whom (sayde he) I preache to you.

    And some of them beleved and came and companyed with Paul and Sylas: also of the honourable Grekes a greate multitude and of the chefe wemen not a feawe.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    Nowe as they passed through Amphipolis, and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a Synagogue of the Iewes.

    And Paul, as his maner was, went in vnto them, and three Sabbath daies disputed with them by the Scriptures,

    Opening, and alleadging that Christ must haue suffered, and risen againe from the dead: and this is Iesus Christ, whom, said he, I preach to you.

    And some of them beleeued, and ioyned in companie with Paul and Silas: also of the Grecians that feared God a great multitude, and of the chiefe women not a fewe.

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Cross-references (71)

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:1 (v1) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from…
  • Philippians 4:16 (v1) For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.
  • Acts 18:28 (v3) for he powerfully refuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
  • Acts 9:22 (v3) But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
  • Acts 20:4 (v1) These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and…
Show all 67 cross-references
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:1 (v1) Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ:
  • Acts 18:4 (vv2, 4) He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
  • Luke 24:32 (v3) They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to…
  • Acts 9:20 (v2) Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
  • Acts 17:12 (v4) Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men.
  • 2 Timothy 4:10 (v1) for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia.
  • Acts 14:1 (vv1, 2, 4) In Iconium, they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.
  • Acts 17:17 (vv2, 4) So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.
  • Isaiah 1:18 (v2) “Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red…
  • Luke 4:16 (v2) He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to…
  • Acts 13:5 (v2) When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their attendant.
  • Acts 13:43 (v4) Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged…
  • Acts 14:4 (v4) But the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
  • Acts 17:10 (v2) The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.
  • Acts 17:11 (v1) Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures…
  • Acts 17:13 (v1) But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise,…
  • Acts 27:2 (v1) Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of…
  • Luke 24:46 (v3) He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
  • John 18:20 (v2) Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said…
  • Acts 3:18 (v3) But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.
  • Acts 8:35 (v2) Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus.
  • Acts 13:50 (v4) But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and…
  • Acts 15:22 (v4) Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch…
  • Acts 16:13 (v1) On the Sabbath day we went outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to…
  • Acts 28:23 (v2) When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and…
  • Acts 28:24 (v4) Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (v3) For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was…
  • 2 Corinthians 8:5 (v4) This was not as we had expected, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
  • Galatians 3:1 (v3) Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified?
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 (v3) and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind…
  • 1 Samuel 12:7 (v2) Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Yahweh concerning all the righteous acts of Yahweh, which he did to you and to…
  • Proverbs 9:6 (v4) Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.”
  • Proverbs 13:20 (v4) One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
  • Song of Solomon 1:7-8 (v4) Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you graze your flock, where you rest them at noon; for why should I be as one who is veiled beside…
  • Song of Solomon 6:1 (v4) Where has your beloved gone, you fairest among women? Where has your beloved turned, that we may seek him with you?
  • Zechariah 8:20-23 (v4) Yahweh of Armies says: “Many peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come; and the inhabitants of one shall go to another,…
  • Luke 24:26-27 (v3) Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to…
  • Luke 24:44 (v3) He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets,…
  • John 7:35 (v4) The Jews therefore said among themselves, “Where will this man go that we won’t find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks,…
  • John 20:9 (v3) For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
  • Acts 1:4 (v3) Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you…
  • Acts 2:16-36 (v3) But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all…
  • Acts 2:41-42 (v4) Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. They continued steadfastly in…
  • Acts 2:44 (v4) All who believed were together, and had all things in common.
  • Acts 3:22-26 (v3) For Moses indeed said to the fathers, ‘The Lord God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me. You shall listen to…
  • Acts 4:23 (v4) Being let go, they came to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
  • Acts 5:12-14 (v4) By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. None of…
  • Acts 13:14 (v2) But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.
  • Acts 13:26-39 (v3) Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you. For those who…
  • Acts 15:21 (v1) For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
  • Acts 15:27 (v4) We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.
  • Acts 15:32 (v4) Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them.
  • Acts 15:40 (v4) but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
  • Acts 16:3 (v4) Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts; for they all knew…
  • Acts 17:34 (v4) But certain men joined with him and believed, among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
  • Acts 19:8 (v2) He entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning God’s…
  • Acts 19:10 (v4) This continued for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
  • Acts 21:28 (v4) crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover,…
  • Acts 24:25 (v2) As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time,…
  • 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (v4) Therefore “ ‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. I will be to you a…
  • Zechariah 2:11 (v4) Many nations shall join themselves to Yahweh in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell among you, and you shall know that…
  • Hebrews 7:1-10 (v2) For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to…

67 distinct cross-references across this passage (71 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (33 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv1–4 1. They came to Thessalonica. We know not why…

1. They came to Thessalonica. We know not why Paul attempted nothing at Amphipolis and Appollonia, which were, notwithstanding, famous cities, as appeareth by Pliny; save only because he followed the Spirit of God as his guide; and took occasion by the present matter, as occasion he did also essay to do some good there, but because it was without any good success, therefore Luke passeth over it. And whereas being beaten at Philippos, [Philippi,] and scarce escaping out of great danger, he preached Christ at Thessalonica, it appeareth thereby how courageous he was to keep the course of his calling, and how bold he was ever now and then to enter into new dangers.

This so invincible fortitude of mind, and such patient enduring of the cross, do sufficiently declare, that Paul labored not after the manner of men, but that he was furnished with the heavenly power of the Spirit. And this was all so wonderful patience in him, in that, entering in unto the Jews, whose unbridled frowardness he had so often tried, [experienced,] he proceedeth to procure their salvation. But because he knew that Christ was given to the Jews for salvation, and that he himself was made an apostle upon this condition, that he should preach repentance and faith, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles, committing the success of his labor to the Lord, he obeyeth his commandment, (though he had no great hope to do good.) He seemed before to have taken his last farewell of the Jews, when he said, It was behoveful that the kingdom of God should be first preached to you; but because ye receive it not, behold we turn to the Gentiles; but that harder sentence must be restrained to that company who had wickedly rejected the gospel when it was offered unto them, and made themselves unworthy [of] the grace of God. And toward the nation itself Paul ceaseth not to do his embassage; by which example we are taught, that we ought to make so great account of the calling of God, that no unthankfulness of men may be able to hinder us, but that we proceed to be careful for their salvation, so long as the Lord appointeth us to be their ministers. And it is to be thought that even now there were some who on the first Sabbath refused sound doctrine, but their frowardness did not hinder him, but that he came again upon other Sabbaths.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv1, 3 The casting out of Silas and Paul, was the…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv1–4 1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv1–4 Araphipolis, a city near to Philippi; so called, because…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv1, 4 This chapter begins with St. Paul’s travels to Thessalonica,…
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v1 Paul's two epistles to the Thessalonians, the first two…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–4 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 4 And taking their journey through Amphipolis and Apollonia -…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv1–4 Paul and his company, passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia,
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 4 Act 17:1. Now when they, &c. — It appears…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv1–4 Amphipolis - This was the capital of the eastern…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv2–4 It was customary with St. Paul to open the…
John Nelson Darby 1862 · Public Domain On v1 Acts Chapter 17
Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures 1864 · Public Domain On v1 D.—Labors And Experiences In Thessalonica And Berea
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2–4 Paul, as his manner was--always to begin with the…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv1, 3, 4 4. Founding of the Second European Church—Thessalonica, Act_17:1-9.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv1–4 Act_17:1-9. Paul and Silas journey through Amphipolis and Apollonia…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv1–4 (1) Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv1–4 Amphipolis. This was the ancient capital of that division…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv1–2 And when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On v1 1–4. Passed through Amphipolis … came to Thessalonica. They…
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v1 Act_17:1. They.—Paul, Silas, and Timothy, Luke having remained behind…
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On vv1–2 1. The four evangelists bid adieu to the sorrowing…
The Sermon Bible 1900 · Public Domain On v1 Act 17:2-4
F. W. Grant 1903 · Public Domain On v1 Section 3. (Act 17:1-34.)
Alexander MacLaren 1905 · Public Domain On v1 Act 17:1 - Act 17:12.
J. R. Dummelow 1909 · Public Domain On v1 Second Missionary Journey (continued)
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On vv1–4 XVII: 1. Luke now drops the pronoun of the…
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v3 The Christ, i.e. that, according to the Scriptures, the…
Arno C. Gaebelein 1922 · Public Domain On v1 1. The Gospel in Thessalonica (Act 17:1-9).
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v1 Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 3 Connecting Statement:
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 4 17:1-9 After traveling through Macedonia to Thessalonica, Paul preached…
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