Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, July 16th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Read the Bible
Complete Jewish Bible
Acts 17:17
So he began holding discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the "God-fearers," and in the market square every day with the people who happened to be there.
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Christian Standard Bible®
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, as well as in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
King James Version (1611)
Therefore disputed he in the Synagogue with the Iewes, and with the deuout persons, and in the market dayly with them that met with him.
Therefore disputed he in the Synagogue with the Iewes, and with the deuout persons, and in the market dayly with them that met with him.
King James Version
Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
English Standard Version
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
New American Standard Bible
So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present.
So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present.
New Century Version
In the synagogue, he talked with the Jews and the Greeks who worshiped God. He also talked every day with people in the marketplace.
In the synagogue, he talked with the Jews and the Greeks who worshiped God. He also talked every day with people in the marketplace.
Amplified Bible
So he had discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place day after day with any who happened to be there.
So he had discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place day after day with any who happened to be there.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present.
So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present.
Legacy Standard Bible
So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present.
So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present.
Berean Standard Bible
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.
Contemporary English Version
He went to the Jewish meeting place to speak to the Jews and to anyone who worshiped with them. Day after day he also spoke to everyone he met in the market.
He went to the Jewish meeting place to speak to the Jews and to anyone who worshiped with them. Day after day he also spoke to everyone he met in the market.
Darby Translation
He reasoned therefore in the synagogue with the Jews, and those who worshipped, and in the market-place every day with those he met with.
He reasoned therefore in the synagogue with the Jews, and those who worshipped, and in the market-place every day with those he met with.
Easy-to-Read Version
In the synagogue he talked with the Jews and with the Greeks who were worshipers of the true God. He also went to the public square every day and talked with everyone who came by.
In the synagogue he talked with the Jews and with the Greeks who were worshipers of the true God. He also went to the public square every day and talked with everyone who came by.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Therefore he disputed in the Synagogue with the Iewes, and with them that were religious, and in the market daily with whomesoeuer he met.
Therefore he disputed in the Synagogue with the Iewes, and with them that were religious, and in the market daily with whomesoeuer he met.
George Lamsa Translation
And he spoke in the synagogue to the Jews and to those who feared God, and in the market place daily with them who were there.
And he spoke in the synagogue to the Jews and to those who feared God, and in the market place daily with them who were there.
Good News Translation
So he held discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentiles who worshiped God, and also in the public square every day with the people who happened to come by.
So he held discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentiles who worshiped God, and also in the public square every day with the people who happened to come by.
Lexham English Bible
So he was discussing in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
So he was discussing in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
Literal Translation
Then, indeed, he addressed the Jews in the synagogue, and those worshiping, also in the market every day, to those happening to be there .
Then, indeed, he addressed the Jews in the synagogue, and those worshiping, also in the market every day, to those happening to be there .
American Standard Version
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him.
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him.
Bible in Basic English
So he had discussions in the Synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and every day in the market-place with those who were there.
So he had discussions in the Synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and every day in the market-place with those who were there.
Hebrew Names Version
So he reasoned in the synagogue with Yehudim and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.
So he reasoned in the synagogue with Yehudim and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.
International Standard Version
So he began holding discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and other worshipers, as well as every day in the public squarein the marketplace">[fn] with anyone who happened to be there.
So he began holding discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and other worshipers, as well as every day in the public squarein the marketplace">[fn] with anyone who happened to be there.
Etheridge Translation
And he spake in the synagogue with the Jihudoyee, and with those who worshipped Aloha, and in the public place with those who met there daily;
And he spake in the synagogue with the Jihudoyee, and with those who worshipped Aloha, and in the public place with those who met there daily;
Murdock Translation
And in the synagogue he spoke with the Jews, and with those that feared God, and in the market-place with them who daily assembled there.
And in the synagogue he spoke with the Jews, and with those that feared God, and in the market-place with them who daily assembled there.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Therfore disputed he in the synagogue with the Iewes, and with the deuout persons, and in the market dayly with them that came vnto hym by chaunce.
Therfore disputed he in the synagogue with the Iewes, and with the deuout persons, and in the market dayly with them that came vnto hym by chaunce.
English Revised Version
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met with him.
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met with him.
World English Bible
So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.
So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
He therefore discoursed in the synagogue to the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market-place daily to those whom he met with.
He therefore discoursed in the synagogue to the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market-place daily to those whom he met with.
Weymouth's New Testament
So he had discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the other worshippers, and in the market place, day after day, with those whom he happened to meet.
So he had discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the other worshippers, and in the market place, day after day, with those whom he happened to meet.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor he disputide in the synagoge with the Jewis, and with men that worschipiden God, and in the dom place, by alle daies to hem that herden.
Therfor he disputide in the synagoge with the Jewis, and with men that worschipiden God, and in the dom place, by alle daies to hem that herden.
Update Bible Version
So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those that met him.
So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those that met him.
Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore he disputed in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
Therefore he disputed in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
New English Translation
So he was addressing the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles in the synagogue, and in the marketplace every day those who happened to be there.
So he was addressing the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles in the synagogue, and in the marketplace every day those who happened to be there.
New King James Version
Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.
Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.
New Living Translation
He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.
He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there.
New Life Bible
He talked to the Jews and other people who were worshiping in the Jewish place of worship. Every day he talked with people who gathered in the center of town.
He talked to the Jews and other people who were worshiping in the Jewish place of worship. Every day he talked with people who gathered in the center of town.
New Revised Standard
So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and also in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and also in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
So then, he began reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews, and with them who worshipped; and, in the market-place, every day, with them who happened to be at hand.
So then, he began reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews, and with them who worshipped; and, in the market-place, every day, with them who happened to be at hand.
Douay-Rheims Bible
He disputed, therefore, in the synagogue with the Jews and with them that served God: and in the market place, every day, with them that were there.
He disputed, therefore, in the synagogue with the Jews and with them that served God: and in the market place, every day, with them that were there.
Revised Standard Version
So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market place every day with those who chanced to be there.
So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market place every day with those who chanced to be there.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Then he disputed in the synagoge wt the Iewes and with the devout persones and in the market dayly with the that came vnto him.
Then he disputed in the synagoge wt the Iewes and with the devout persones and in the market dayly with the that came vnto him.
Young's Literal Translation
therefore, indeed, he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the worshipping persons, and in the market-place every day with those who met with him.
therefore, indeed, he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the worshipping persons, and in the market-place every day with those who met with him.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And he spake vnto the Iewes and deuoute personnes in the synagoge, & in ye market daylie vnto the that came to him.
And he spake vnto the Iewes and deuoute personnes in the synagoge, & in ye market daylie vnto the that came to him.
Mace New Testament (1729)
he disputed therefore in the synagogue with the Jews, and the proselyted Greeks: and in the publick place daily with those he met.
he disputed therefore in the synagogue with the Jews, and the proselyted Greeks: and in the publick place daily with those he met.
THE MESSAGE
He discussed it with the Jews and other like-minded people at their meeting place. And every day he went out on the streets and talked with anyone who happened along. He got to know some of the Epicurean and Stoic intellectuals pretty well through these conversations. Some of them dismissed him with sarcasm: "What an airhead!" But others, listening to him go on about Jesus and the resurrection, were intrigued: "That's a new slant on the gods. Tell us more."
He discussed it with the Jews and other like-minded people at their meeting place. And every day he went out on the streets and talked with anyone who happened along. He got to know some of the Epicurean and Stoic intellectuals pretty well through these conversations. Some of them dismissed him with sarcasm: "What an airhead!" But others, listening to him go on about Jesus and the resurrection, were intrigued: "That's a new slant on the gods. Tell us more."
Simplified Cowboy Version
He went to the local Jewish church to try to talk some sense into the Jews and God-following mavericks. He even preached in the town square to anyone who would listen.
He went to the local Jewish church to try to talk some sense into the Jews and God-following mavericks. He even preached in the town square to anyone who would listen.
Contextual Overview
16 While Sha'ul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit within him was disturbed at the sight of the city full of idols. 17 So he began holding discussions in the synagogue with the Jews and the "God-fearers," and in the market square every day with the people who happened to be there. 18 Also a group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers started meeting with him. Some asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others, because he proclaimed the Good News about Yeshua and the resurrection, said, "He sounds like a propagandist for foreign gods." 19 They took and brought him before the High Council, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 Some of the things we are hearing from you strike us as strange, and we would like to know what they mean." 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners living there used to spend their spare time talking or hearing about the latest intellectual fads.)
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
disputed: Acts 17:2-4, Acts 14:1-4
devout: Acts 8:2, Acts 10:2, Acts 13:16
daily: Proverbs 1:20-22, Proverbs 8:1-4, Proverbs 8:34, Jeremiah 6:11, Matthew 5:1, Matthew 5:2, Mark 16:15, Luke 12:3, 2 Timothy 3:2, 2 Timothy 3:5
Reciprocal: Matthew 10:27 - that preach Matthew 20:3 - standing Luke 4:31 - taught Acts 4:20 - we cannot Acts 6:9 - there Acts 9:29 - disputed Acts 13:5 - in the Acts 17:4 - the devout Acts 18:4 - he Acts 19:8 - disputing 1 Thessalonians 2:2 - much
Cross-References
Genesis 17:3
Avram fell on his face, and God continued speaking with him:
Avram fell on his face, and God continued speaking with him:
Genesis 17:19
God answered, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you are to call him Yitz'chak [laughter]. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
God answered, "No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you are to call him Yitz'chak [laughter]. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
Genesis 17:20
But as for Yishma‘el, I have heard you. I have blessed him. I will make him fruitful and give him many descendants. He will father twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
But as for Yishma‘el, I have heard you. I have blessed him. I will make him fruitful and give him many descendants. He will father twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
Genesis 18:12
So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "I am old, and so is my lord; am I to have pleasure again?"
So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "I am old, and so is my lord; am I to have pleasure again?"
Genesis 21:6
Sarah said, "God has given me good reason to laugh; now everyone who hears about it will laugh with me."
Sarah said, "God has given me good reason to laugh; now everyone who hears about it will laugh with me."
Leviticus 9:24
(iii) Fire came forth from the presence of Adonai , consuming the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
(iii) Fire came forth from the presence of Adonai , consuming the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
Numbers 14:5
Moshe and Aharon fell on their faces before the entire assembled community of the people of Isra'el.
Moshe and Aharon fell on their faces before the entire assembled community of the people of Isra'el.
Numbers 16:22
They fell on their faces and said, "Oh God, God of the spirits of all humankind, if one person sins, are you going to be angry with the entire assembly?"
They fell on their faces and said, "Oh God, God of the spirits of all humankind, if one person sins, are you going to be angry with the entire assembly?"
Numbers 16:45
Now Korach the son of Yitz'har, the son of K'hat, the son of Levi, along with Datan and Aviram, the sons of Eli'av, and On, the son of Pelet, descendants of Re'uven, took men and rebelled against Moshe. Siding with them were 250 men of Isra'el, leaders of the community, key members of the council, men of reputation. They assembled themselves against Moshe and Aharon and said to them, "You take too much on yourselves! After all, the entire community is holy, every one of them, and Adonai is among them. So why do you lift yourselves up above Adonai 's assembly?" When Moshe heard this he fell on his face. Then he said to Korach and his whole group, "In the morning, Adonai will show who are his and who is the holy person he will allow to approach him. Yes, he will bring whomever he chooses near to himself. Do this: take censers, Korach and all your group; put fire in them; and put incense in them before Adonai tomorrow. The one whom Adonai chooses will be the one who is holy! It is you, you sons of Levi, who are taking too much on yourselves!" Then Moshe said to Korach, "Listen here, you sons of Levi! Is it for you a mere trifle that the God of Isra'el has separated you from the community of Isra'el to bring you close to himself, so that you can do the work in the tabernacle of Adonai and stand before the community serving them? He has brought you close and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you. Now you want the office of cohen too! That's why you and your group have gathered together against Adonai ! After all, what is Aharon that you complain against him?" Then Moshe sent to summon Datan and Aviram, the sons of Eli'av. But they replied, "We won't come up! Is it such a mere trifle, bringing us up from a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert, that now you arrogate to yourself the role of dictator over us? (ii) You haven't at all brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, and you haven't put us in possession of fields and vineyards. Do you think you can gouge out these men's eyes and blind them? We won't come up!" Moshe was very angry and said to Adonai , "Don't accept their grain offering! I haven't taken one donkey from them, I've done nothing wrong to any of them." Moshe said to Korach, "You and your group, be there before Adonai tomorrow — you, they and Aharon. Each of you take his fire pan and put incense in it; every one of you, bring before Adonai his fire pan, 250 fire pans, you too, and Aharon — each one his fire pan." Each man took his fire pan, put fire in it, laid incense on it and stood at the entrance to the tent of meeting with Moshe and Aharon. Korach assembled all the group who were against them at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then the glory of Adonai appeared to the whole assembly. (iii) Adonai said to Moshe and Aharon, "Separate yourselves from this assembly; I'm going to destroy them right now!" They fell on their faces and said, "Oh God, God of the spirits of all humankind, if one person sins, are you going to be angry with the entire assembly?" Adonai answered Moshe, "Tell the assembly to move away from the homes of Korach, Datan and Aviram." Moshe got up and went to Datan and Aviram, and the leaders of Isra'el followed him. There he said to the assembly, "Leave the tents of these wicked men! Don't touch anything that belongs to them, or you may be swept away in all their sins." So they moved away from all around the area where Korach, Datan and Aviram lived. Then Datan and Aviram came out and stood at the entrance to their tents with their wives, sons and little ones. Moshe said, "Here is how you will know that Adonai has sent me to do all these things and that I haven't done them out of my own ambition: if these men die a natural death like other people, only sharing the fate common to all humanity, then Adonai has not sent me. But if Adonai does something new — if the ground opens up and swallows them with everything they own, and they go down alive to Sh'ol — then you will understand that these men have had contempt for Adonai ." The moment he finished speaking, the ground under them split apart — the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all the people who had sided with Korach and everything they owned. So they and everything they owned went down alive into Sh'ol, the earth closed over them and their existence in the community ceased. All Isra'el around them fled at their shrieks, shouting, "The earth might swallow us too!" Then fire came out from Adonai and destroyed the 250 men who had offered the incense.
Now Korach the son of Yitz'har, the son of K'hat, the son of Levi, along with Datan and Aviram, the sons of Eli'av, and On, the son of Pelet, descendants of Re'uven, took men and rebelled against Moshe. Siding with them were 250 men of Isra'el, leaders of the community, key members of the council, men of reputation. They assembled themselves against Moshe and Aharon and said to them, "You take too much on yourselves! After all, the entire community is holy, every one of them, and Adonai is among them. So why do you lift yourselves up above Adonai 's assembly?" When Moshe heard this he fell on his face. Then he said to Korach and his whole group, "In the morning, Adonai will show who are his and who is the holy person he will allow to approach him. Yes, he will bring whomever he chooses near to himself. Do this: take censers, Korach and all your group; put fire in them; and put incense in them before Adonai tomorrow. The one whom Adonai chooses will be the one who is holy! It is you, you sons of Levi, who are taking too much on yourselves!" Then Moshe said to Korach, "Listen here, you sons of Levi! Is it for you a mere trifle that the God of Isra'el has separated you from the community of Isra'el to bring you close to himself, so that you can do the work in the tabernacle of Adonai and stand before the community serving them? He has brought you close and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you. Now you want the office of cohen too! That's why you and your group have gathered together against Adonai ! After all, what is Aharon that you complain against him?" Then Moshe sent to summon Datan and Aviram, the sons of Eli'av. But they replied, "We won't come up! Is it such a mere trifle, bringing us up from a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert, that now you arrogate to yourself the role of dictator over us? (ii) You haven't at all brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, and you haven't put us in possession of fields and vineyards. Do you think you can gouge out these men's eyes and blind them? We won't come up!" Moshe was very angry and said to Adonai , "Don't accept their grain offering! I haven't taken one donkey from them, I've done nothing wrong to any of them." Moshe said to Korach, "You and your group, be there before Adonai tomorrow — you, they and Aharon. Each of you take his fire pan and put incense in it; every one of you, bring before Adonai his fire pan, 250 fire pans, you too, and Aharon — each one his fire pan." Each man took his fire pan, put fire in it, laid incense on it and stood at the entrance to the tent of meeting with Moshe and Aharon. Korach assembled all the group who were against them at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then the glory of Adonai appeared to the whole assembly. (iii) Adonai said to Moshe and Aharon, "Separate yourselves from this assembly; I'm going to destroy them right now!" They fell on their faces and said, "Oh God, God of the spirits of all humankind, if one person sins, are you going to be angry with the entire assembly?" Adonai answered Moshe, "Tell the assembly to move away from the homes of Korach, Datan and Aviram." Moshe got up and went to Datan and Aviram, and the leaders of Isra'el followed him. There he said to the assembly, "Leave the tents of these wicked men! Don't touch anything that belongs to them, or you may be swept away in all their sins." So they moved away from all around the area where Korach, Datan and Aviram lived. Then Datan and Aviram came out and stood at the entrance to their tents with their wives, sons and little ones. Moshe said, "Here is how you will know that Adonai has sent me to do all these things and that I haven't done them out of my own ambition: if these men die a natural death like other people, only sharing the fate common to all humanity, then Adonai has not sent me. But if Adonai does something new — if the ground opens up and swallows them with everything they own, and they go down alive to Sh'ol — then you will understand that these men have had contempt for Adonai ." The moment he finished speaking, the ground under them split apart — the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all the people who had sided with Korach and everything they owned. So they and everything they owned went down alive into Sh'ol, the earth closed over them and their existence in the community ceased. All Isra'el around them fled at their shrieks, shouting, "The earth might swallow us too!" Then fire came out from Adonai and destroyed the 250 men who had offered the incense.
Deuteronomy 9:18
Then I fell down before Adonai , as I had the first time, for forty days and nights, during which time I neither ate food nor drank water, all because of the sin you committed by doing what was evil in the sight of Adonai and thus provoking him.
Then I fell down before Adonai , as I had the first time, for forty days and nights, during which time I neither ate food nor drank water, all because of the sin you committed by doing what was evil in the sight of Adonai and thus provoking him.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews,.... There being a synagogue of the Jews here, and there being many Jews settled in this place, hence we read in Jewish writings c of men going from Jerusalem to Athens, and from Athens to Jerusalem; and hence it may be accounted for, how many of the Athenian philosophers came to be acquainted with the books and sentiments of the Jews, from whom they borrowed may things; since there were so many that dwelt among them, and doubtless had for years past, as well as by their travels into Egypt: and a Jewish synagogue being here, the apostle went into it, according to his usual manner, and began with them, as he was wont to do, preaching the Gospel to the Jews first, and then unto the Gentiles: with them he disputed, not about idolatry, or the worship of many gods, to which they were not addicted; nor about the one true and living God, whom they knew and professed; but about the Son of God, about the Messiah, contending and proving that Jesus of Nazareth was he:
and with the devout persons; that is, with the Gentiles, who were proselytes to the Jewish religion, and worshipped the God of Israel with the Jews, in their synagogues, but knew nothing of Jesus Christ, and the way of salvation by him:
and in the market daily with them that met him; where there was a concourse of people; and where, after the apostle had been once or twice, the people came purposely to meet with him, and to hear his discourses, and reason with him about points in religion: the Syriac version renders it, "in the street"; and then the sense seems to be, that as he met persons in the street, day by day, as he walked along, he would stop and talk with them, about religious things, and about their idolatry, vanity, and superstition.
c Echa Rabbati, fol. 43. 3, 4. & 44. 1.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Therefore disputed he - Or reasoned. He engaged in an argument with them.
With the devout persons - Those worshipping God after the manner of the Jews. They were Jewish proselytes, who had renounced idolatry, but who had not been fully admitted to the privileges of the Jews. See the notes on Acts 10:2.
And in the market - In the forum. It was not only the place where provisions were sold, but was also a place of great public concourse. In this place the philosophers were not infrequently found engaged in public discussion.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Acts 17:17. Disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews — Proving that Jesus was the Messiah: and with the devout persons, probably heathens, proselyted to the Jewish religion. And in the market: I suppose the αγορα here means some such place as our exchange, where people of business usually met, and where the philosophers conversed and reasoned. The agora was probably like the Roman forum, and like places of public resort in all countries, where people of leisure assembled to converse, hear the news, &c.
