Acts 17:16
What does Acts 17:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 17:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 17:16 means
As Paul waits in Athens, his spirit is provoked by the city’s profusion of idols. He feels a holy distress—a jealousy for God’s honor and compassion for people given to false worship. This is not disdain for Athenians but grief over pervasive deception. The sight compels action. True zeal is not content with private piety; it moves into public witness. Paul’s response models how a believer views culture: appreciate its strengths, but be troubled when God is replaced by lifeless substitutes. From that inner stirring, he will reason in synagogue and marketplace, seeking to direct worship from images to the living Creator and Judge.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was troubled, for he saw all the town full of images of the gods.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Paul waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, beholding the city wholly given to idolatry,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now whilst Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, seeing the city wholly given to idolatry.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But in Athens, while Paul was waiting for them, his spirit was painfully excited in him seeing the city given up to idolatry.
Context
Verse 16 opens the Athens section, following Paul’s arrival and summons for coworkers (verse 15). It frames his ministry there as a response to idolatry rather than a mere intellectual exercise. The next verse (17) shows him reasoning both in the synagogue and daily in the marketplace. That broad engagement attracts the attention of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (verse 18), who, after initial skepticism, bring him to the Areopagus for a hearing (verses 19–20). Luke then notes Athenian love for novelty (verse 21) before Paul’s address begins (verses 22–31).
v.15But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.
v.16This passage
v.17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 2:7
and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked
- Job 32:18
For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.
- 1 Kings 19:10
And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword: and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
- Acts 17:23
For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you.
- 1 Kings 19:14
And he said, I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
- Jeremiah 20:9
And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain.
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