Acts 17:2
What does Acts 17:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 17:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 17:2 means
Paul acts in line with a well-formed habit: he enters the synagogue and spends three Sabbaths reasoning from the Scriptures. He does not rely on novelty or force of personality but on patient, sustained explanation anchored in God’s written word. His method respects his hearers, invites questions, and shows that the gospel stands up to rigorous examination. Truth persuades through thoughtful engagement over time. By the third Sabbath, people have heard enough to evaluate his claims. This measured approach underscores that Christian faith is not blind leap but response to God’s promises and patterns already present in the sacred writings the synagogue community revered.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Paul, as he generally did, went in to them, and on three Sabbath days had discussions with them from the holy Writings,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and according to the custom of Paul, he went in unto them, and for three sabbaths he was reasoning with them from the Writings,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Paul, according to his custom, went in unto them. And for three sabbath days he reasoned with them out of the scriptures:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And according to Paul's custom he went in among them, and on three sabbaths reasoned with them from the scriptures,
Context
After arriving at Thessalonica (verse 1), Paul immediately follows his standard strategy: begin with the synagogue. Verse 2 emphasizes time and method—three Sabbaths of reasoned argument from Scripture—setting up the content summarized next (verse 3). The outcome appears in verse 4, where various people are persuaded. That fruit then provokes jealousy and mob action from some Jews (verses 5–9), pushing the mission onward to Berea (verses 10–12) and illustrating how the word advances amid both openness and opposition.
v.1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
v.2This passage
v.3opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is the Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 9:20
And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.
- John 18:20
Jesus answered him, I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spake I nothing.
- Acts 24:25
And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.
- Acts 17:10
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea: who when they were come thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
- Acts 13:5
And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John as their attendant.
- Acts 17:17
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him.
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