Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Acts 17

We have here a further account of the travels of Paul, and his services and sufferings for Christ. He was not like a candle upon a table, that gives light only to one room, but like the sun that goes its circuit to give light to many. He was called into Macedonia, a large kingdom, Acts 16:9. He began with Philippi, because it was the first city he came to; but he must not confine himself to this. We have him here, I. Preaching and persecuted at Thessalonica, another city of Macedonia, Acts 17:1-17:9. II. Preaching at Berea, where he met with an encouraging auditory, but was driven thence also by persecution, Acts 17:10-17:15. III. Disputing at Athens, the famous university of Greece (Acts 17:16-17:21), and the account he gave of natural religion, for the conviction of those that were addicted to polytheism and idolatry, and to lead them to the Christian religion (Acts 17:22-17:31), together with the success of this sermon, Acts 17:32-17:34. MHBCC 1036.1