SEV Biblia, Chapter 17:15
Y los que habían tomado a cargo a Pablo, le llevaron hasta Atenas; y tomando orden de l para Silas y Timoteo, que viniesen a l lo ms presto que pudiesen, partieron.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 17:15
Verse 15. Brought him unto Athens] This was one of the most celebrated cities in the world, whether we consider its antiquity, its learning, its political consequence, or the valor of its inhabitants. This city, which was the capital of Attica, and the seat of the Grecian empire was founded by Cecrops, about A.M. 2447, before Christ 1557, and was called by him Cecropia. About thirteen or fourteen hundred years before Christ, in the reign either of Erechtheus, or Erichthonius, it was called Athens, from aqhnh, a name of Minerva, to whom it was dedicated, and who was always considered the protectress of the city. The whole city at first was built upon a hill or rock, in the midst of a spacious plain; but, in process of time, the whole plain was covered with buildings which were called the lower city; while the ancient was called Acropolis, or the upper city. In its most flourishing state this city was not less than one hundred and seventy-eight stadia, or twenty-two Roman miles in circumference. The buildings of Athens were the most superb, and best executed, in the world; but every thing is now in a state of ruin. Mr. Stuart, in his three folio vols. of the Antiquities of Athens, has given correct representations of those that remain, with many geographical notices of much importance. The greatest men that ever lived, scholars, lawyers, statesmen, and warriors, were Athenians. Its institutions, laws, and literature, were its own unrivalled boast, and the envy of the world. The city still exists; the Acropolis in a state of comparative repair. It is now in the hands of the Greeks; but the Turks, who held it till lately, have turned the celebrated Parthenon, or temple of Minerva, into a mosque. The inhabitants are reckoned at about one thousand. Christianity, planted here by St. Paul, still subsists; and about two-thirds of the inhabitants of Athens are Christians, who have several churches or oratories here, and it is the residence of a Greek bishop, who is a metropolitan. He who considers the ancient glory of this city, whether in its heathen or Christian antiquity, cannot but sigh over its present state.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 15. And they that conducted Paul , etc.] From Berea to the sea side: brought him unto Athens ; a famous city in Attica, where both Pliny and Ptolomy place it, well known for the learning and wisdom of the ancient philosophers, who had their schools and universities in it; the former of these calls it a free city, and says, it needed no description nor commendation, its fame was so diffused everywhere. The account Jerom gives of it is, Athens, a city in Achaia, dedicated to the studies of philosophy, which though but one, is always used to be called in the plural number; its haven, called the Piraeum, is described as fortified with seven walls.
The city itself stood about two miles from the sea; it had its name either from the Greek word hyonoh , which signifies the mind of God, as boasting of its divine knowledge; or rather from the word yta , Athen, which may be interpreted strangers, it being originally inhabited by the Pelasgi, who were a set of people that moved from place to place f860 ; or because of the great multitude of strangers which flocked from all parts hither for learning, of whom mention is made in ( Acts 17:21). The inhabitants of it have been called by different names; when under the Pelasgi, as Herodotus observes, they were called Cranai; when under King Cecrops, they went by the name of Cecropidae; when Erechtheus had the government, they changed their name into Athenians; from Ion, the son of Xythus, their general, they were called Ionians. This city has gone through different fates: it was burnt by Xerxes, about 480 years before Christ; some years after that it was taken by Lysander; and after that restored to its ancient liberty by Demetrius; after this the Romans were possessed of it; and now it is in the hands of the Turks, and goes by the name of Setines. In Bezas ancient copy it follows, but he passed through Thessalia, for he was forbidden to preach the word to them; for as he came from Berea to Athens, he must come through Thessalia; but he made no stay here, but passed through, being forbid to preach the Gospel here, as he had been before to preach it in Asia and Bithynia, ( Acts 16:6,7) nor have we any account anywhere else of the Gospel being preached in Thessaly; and in the second century, we read of Heathenism prevailing there, and of many gross acts of idolatry, particularly at Pella in Thessaly, a man was sacrificed to the gods: though in the beginning of the fourth century there were bishops out of Thessalia at the synod of Nice; and so there were at the synod at Sardica, about the middle of the same century: in the sixth century, Dion, bishop of Thebes in Thessalia, was in the first synod at Ephesus; and Constantinus, bishop of Demetrias, and Vigilantius of Larissa, both cities in Thessalia, were in another at the same place f862 . And receiving a commandment ; or a letter from him as one copy and the Syriac version read; that is, the brethren from Paul: unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed ; to Athens, where he now was: they departed; from Paul at Athens, and came back to Berea.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 10-15 - The Jews in Berea applied seriously to the study of the word preache unto them. They not only heard Paul preach on the sabbath, but dail searched the Scriptures, and compared what they read with the fact related to them. The doctrine of Christ does not fear inquiry advocates for his cause desire no more than that people will fully an fairly examine whether things are so or not. Those are truly noble, an likely to be more and more so, who make the Scriptures their rule, an consult them accordingly. May all the hearers of the gospel become lik those of Berea, receiving the word with readiness of mind, an searching the Scriptures daily, whether the things preached to them ar so.
Greek Textus Receptus
οι 3588 T-NPM δε 1161 CONJ καθιστωντες 2525 5723 V-PAP-NPM τον 3588 T-ASM παυλον 3972 N-ASM ηγαγον 71 5627 V-2AAI-3P αυτον 846 P-ASM εως 2193 CONJ αθηνων 116 N-GPF και 2532 CONJ λαβοντες 2983 5631 V-2AAP-NPM εντολην 1785 N-ASF προς 4314 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM σιλαν 4609 N-ASM και 2532 CONJ τιμοθεον 5095 N-ASM ινα 2443 CONJ ως 5613 ADV ταχιστα 5033 ADV-S ελθωσιν 2064 5632 V-2AAS-3P προς 4314 PREP αυτον 846 P-ASM εξηεσαν 1826 5713 V-IXI-3P
Robertson's NT Word Studies
17:15 {But they that conducted Paul} (hoi de kaqistanontes ton paulon). Articular present active participle of kaqistanw (late form in A B of kaqistemi or kathista"), an old verb with varied uses to put down, to constitute, to conduct, etc. this use here is in the LXX (#Jos 6:23) and old Greek also. {To Athens} (hews aqenwn). To make sure of his safe arrival. {That they should come to him with all speed} (hina hws tacista elqwsin pros auton). Note the neat Greek idiom hws tacista as quickly as possible (good Attic idiom). The indirect command and purpose (hina-elqwsin, second aorist active subjunctive) is also neat Greek (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1046). {Departed} (exeiesan). Imperfect active of exeimi, old Greek word, but rare in N.T. All in Acts (#13:42; 17:15; 20:7; 27:43)
