Acts 17:2

King James Version (KJV)

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

As his manner was - He constantly offered salvation first to the Jews; and for this purpose attended their Sabbath-days' meetings at their synagogues.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

His manner was - His custom was to attend on the worship of the synagogue, and to preach the gospel to his countrymen first, Acts 9:20; Acts 13:5, Acts 13:14.

Reasoned with them - Discoursed to them, or attempted to prove that Jesus was the Messiah. The word used here ( διελέγετο dielegeto) often means no more than “to make a public address or discourse.” See the notes on Acts 24:25.

Out of the scriptures - By many critics this is connected with the following verse, “Opening and alleging from the scriptures that Christ must needs have suffered, etc.” The sense is not varied materially by the change.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The drift and scope of Paul's preaching and arguing, was to prove that Jesus is the Christ. He must needs suffer for us, because he could not otherwise purchase our redemption for us; and he must needs have risen again, because he could not otherwise apply the redemption to us. We are to preach concerning Jesus that he is Christ; therefore we may hope to be saved by him, and are bound to be ruled by him. The unbelieving Jews were angry, because the apostles preached to the Gentiles, that they might be saved. How strange it is, that men should grudge others the privileges they will not themselves accept! Neither rulers nor people need be troubled at the increase of real Christians, even though turbulent spirits should make religion the pretext for evil designs. Of such let us beware, from such let us withdraw, that we may show a desire to act aright in society, while we claim our right to worship God according to our consciences.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

2. As his manner was. See on Acts 13:5, 14; cf. on Luke 4:16.

Went in. As of right, as a Jew. He may have been invited to speak, as in Pisidian Antioch (see on ch. 13:14).

Three sabbath days. Gr. epi sabbata tria, literally, “upon three Sabbaths.” The RSV has “for three weeks.” This translation seems unwarranted. Applying the rule that the primary, direct, and obvious translation is to be preferred, unless form or context require an accommodated meaning, the translation “Sabbaths” is appropriate here. There is nothing in the Greek, linguistic or contextual, or in the circumstances described, that requires the translation “weeks.” Of 68 versions consulted on this passage, in 13 languages, only one of them, besides the RSV, namely, the German of Bohmer, gives the reading “three weeks.” The RSV gives “sabbaths” as a marginal reading. Many versions use the expression “sabbath days” or “successive sabbaths,” precluding any thought of “weeks.” We may therefore conclude that the translation “upon three Sabbaths” is valid and to be preferred. For Paul’s relation to Sabbath observance see on chs. 13:14; 16:13. During the intervals between the Sabbaths the apostle doubtless worked at his trade of tent-making (see Acts 18:3; 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Thess. 3:8). That Paul was allowed to preach for three Sabbaths in succession shows the respect accorded him as a rabbi, and his earnest eloquence.

Reasoned. Gr. dialegomai, “to converse,” “to discourse,” “to discuss,” rather than “to dispute,” as the same verb is translated in v. 17. Paul’s witness was as fearless as ever. He preached the gospel of God not “in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance” (1 Thess. 1:5). At the same time, he was gentle, “even as a nurse cherisheth her children” (1 Thess. 2:7). As a result, not only Jews and proselytes were saved, but many Gentiles turned “from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9).

Out of the scriptures. Rather, “from the Scriptures.” Paul drew his reasons from the Scriptures, as did Jesus (Luke 24:25-27, 44), and Stephen (Acts 7), and as he himself did at Antioch in Pisidia (ch. 13:16-41).

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 695-6

*****

I have been shown the case of Brother P. He had been standing for some time resisting the truth. His sin was not that he did not receive that which he sincerely believed to be error, but that he did not investigate diligently and gain a knowledge of what he was opposing. He took it for granted that Sabbathkeeping Adventists, as a body, were in error. This view was in harmony with his feelings, and he did not see the necessity of finding out for himself by diligently searching the Scriptures with earnest prayer. Had he pursued this course he might now have been far in advance of his present position. He has been too slow to receive evidence and too neglectful in searching the Scriptures to see if these things are so. Paul did not consider those worthy of commendation who resisted his teachings as long as they could until compelled by overwhelming evidence to decide in favor of the doctrine which he taught and which he had received of God. 2T 695.1

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 221-30

This chapter is based on Acts 17:1-10.

After leaving Philippi, Paul and Silas made their way to Thessalonica. Here they were given the privilege of addressing large congregations in the Jewish synagogue. Their appearance bore evidence of the shameful treatment they had recently received, and necessitated an explanation of what had taken place. This they made without exalting themselves, but magnified the One who had wrought their deliverance. AA 221.1

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