ACC ~ Acts 17 v1 - 4

OVERVIEW:

Commentators note two familiar patterns: Paul has evangelized Philippi and left Luke behind there; and the familiar pattern of initial success followed by persecution and then flight. The phrase “it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead,” bears a close resemblance to Luke 24:26, where in both cases the “necessity” (dei) is derived from the will of God expressed in the whole of Scripture, not necessarily one passage. The apostles understand how knowledge spreads more quickly from larger places to smaller places and so focus on those cities with greater populations. Paul’s love of his people and his refusal to give the Gentiles an excuse to turn from the Jews is evident here, and he refrains from miracles, as did Christ, since too great a reliance on them can breed suspicion (CHRYSOSTOM). Instead, he aimed at convincing his audience not only of the content of the prophecies of the Old Testament, but also of their fulfillment in the person of Jesus of Nazareth (BEDE).

17:1 | Thessalonica, Where There Was a Synagogue

LARGE CITIES SOURCES OF INFORMATION. CHRYSOSTOM: Again they pass through the small towns and hurry to the biggest, since the word was to flow to nearby cities as from a source. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 17.1.

PAUL’S AFFECTION FOR ISRAEL NOT FORGOTTEN. CHRYSOSTOM: “And as was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue of the Jews.” Although he had said, “We turn to the Gentiles,” he did not abandon these people, for great was his desire toward them. Listen to what he says, “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved,” and, “I wished myself accursed from Christ for my brothers.” He did this because of the promise and the glory of God and because he did not wish to offend the Gentiles. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 37.

17:2 | Arguing from the Scriptures

REFRAINING FROM MIRACLES. CHRYSOSTOM: “For three weeks,” it says, “he argued with them from the Scriptures.” That is, when they were not at work. For this is what Christ, too, did; he often made his argument from the Scriptures and not by miracles. For his listeners were hostile and accused him of being a deceiving sorcerer. For it is natural for him who tries to persuade people by miracles alone to be suspected, but one who persuades by the Scriptures does not arouse this suspicion. Indeed, we often see Paul persuading people by his teaching. In Antioch, for example, “the whole city gathered together” to hear his teaching. This is something so great: it is not a small but an exceedingly great miracle. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 37.

17:3 | Christ Suffered and Rose from the Dead

SUFFER AND RISE FROM THE DEAD. BEDE: He made both things known from the Scriptures at the same time, that the Christ had to suffer and to rise and that this suffering and resurrection pertained to none other than Jesus of Nazareth. For there were certain ones among the Jews, just as there are today, who were so lacking in faith that, although they could not deny that the suffering and resurrection of the Christ were present in the Scriptures, they nevertheless entirely denied that these things pertained to Jesus, and they preferred to look forward to the antichrist rather than to believe in Jesus Christ. And therefore Paul not only preached the mysteries of the Christ, but he also taught that these mysteries were accomplished in Christ Jesus. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 17.3.