Bible Commentary

Acts 17:21

The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 17:21

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Now for for, A.V.; the strangers sojourning there for strangers which were there, A.V. Spent their time. This gives the general sense, but the margin of the R.T., had leisure for nothing else, is much more accurate.

εὐκαιρεῖν, which is not considered good Greek, is only used by Polybius, and in the sense either of "being wealthy" or of "having leisure" or "opportunity." In the New Testament it occurs in and .

Some new thing. So Cleon (Thucyd., 3.38) rates the Athenians upon their being entirely guided by words, and constantly deceived by any novelty of speech ( καινότητος λόγου). And Demosthenes in his first 'Philippic', inveighs against them because, when they ought to be up and doing, they went about the Agora, asking one another, "Is there any news?

( λέγεταί τι καινόν;)." The comparative καινότερον ix a little stronger than καινόν: "the very last news" (Alford).

Recommended reading

More for Acts 17:21

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 17:1-34Acts 17:1-34 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONMatthew Henry on Acts 17:16-21Acts 17:16-21 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryAthens was then famed for polite learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; but none are more childish and superstitious, more impious, or more credulous, than some persons, deemed eminent for learning and ability. It was…Paul at AthensActs 17:16-21 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BiblePAUL AT ATHENS. A scholar that has acquaintance, and is in love, with the learning of the ancients, would think he should be very happy if he were where Paul now was, at Athens, in the midst of the various sects of phil…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 17:16-34Acts 17:16-34 · The Pulpit CommentaryPaul at Athens. Consider— I. The connection of the whole with THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY. The Greek mind evangelized. The function of Greek thought in the development of doctrine. The contrast between the gospel and ph…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 17:16-34Acts 17:16-34 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe cross of Christ in the metropolis of art and philosophy. There is a singular interest in this first encounter of the gospel with the art and philosophy of Athens, and it is instructive to note the attitude taken by…The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 17:16-34Acts 17:16-34 · The Pulpit CommentaryPaul at Athens. Paul stands in Athens, amidst the master-pieces of Greek art and the memorials of Greek wisdom. It is not admiration or aesthetic delight which is awakened in him, but moral indignation. Christianity is…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 17:1-34EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Acts 17:16-21Athens was then famed for polite learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; but none are more childish and superstitious, more impious, or more credulous, than some persons, deemed eminent for learning and ability. It was…Matthew HenrycommentaryPaul at AthensPAUL AT ATHENS. A scholar that has acquaintance, and is in love, with the learning of the ancients, would think he should be very happy if he were where Paul now was, at Athens, in the midst of the various sects of phil…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 17:16-34Paul at Athens. Paul stands in Athens, amidst the master-pieces of Greek art and the memorials of Greek wisdom. It is not admiration or aesthetic delight which is awakened in him, but moral indignation. Christianity is…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 17:16-34Paul at Athens. Consider— I. The connection of the whole with THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY. The Greek mind evangelized. The function of Greek thought in the development of doctrine. The contrast between the gospel and ph…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 17:16-34The cross of Christ in the metropolis of art and philosophy. There is a singular interest in this first encounter of the gospel with the art and philosophy of Athens, and it is instructive to note the attitude taken by…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 17:18-21Curiosity at the feet of Christ. In the company which gathered on Mars' Hill, to listen to the Christian teacher, we have a picture of curiosity sitting at the feet of Christ. For it is clear that this was not a court s…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Acts 17:19-21The passion for something new. Demosthenes said, in one of his speeches, "Tell me, is it all you care for, to go about up and down the market, asking each other, 'Is there any news?'" The restless inquisitiveness of the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors