John 17
Acts 17 records how Paul and Silas travel through the cities of Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, proclaiming the gospel. Even amid different reactions in various places, this chapter shows the gospel spreading and vividly reenacts scenes of the early church proclaiming the message.
1verseJesus said these things, then lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;
2verseeven as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
3verseThis is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
4verseI glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
5verseNow, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
6verse“I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word.
7verseNow they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you,
8versefor the words which you have given me I have given to them; and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me.
9verseI pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
10verseAll things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
11verseI am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are.
12verseWhile I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. I have kept those whom you have given me. None of them is lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
13verseBut now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
14verseI have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15verseI pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
16verseThey are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17verseSanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
18verseAs you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.
19verseFor their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
20verse“Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word,
21versethat they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
22verseThe glory which you have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one, even as we are one,
23verseI in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one, that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, even as you loved me.
24verseFather, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
25verseRighteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.
26verseI made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
The Spread of the Gospel in Thessalonica (Verses 1-9)
Paul and Silas gathered in the synagogue in Thessalonica for three Sabbath days, explaining and arguing from the Scriptures about Jesus Christ. Some of the Jews and devout Greeks, as well as prominent women, believed and followed them, but the Jews became jealous and stirred up a riot. They even raided the house of a man named Jason, but in the end Paul and Silas had to leave the city.
Responses in Berea (Verses 10-15)
The people in the Berean synagogue were more noble; they received the word eagerly and studied daily to see whether Paul’s teaching matched the Scriptures. Many Jews and Greeks believed, but some Jews who came from Thessalonica found their way here and caused trouble, and eventually Paul has to leave for Greece.
Proclaiming the Gospel in Athens (Verses 16-34)
In Athens, Paul was deeply distressed by the city’s idolatry. He proclaimed the gospel in the synagogue and in the marketplace, and he mainly debated with philosophers (the Epicureans and the Stoics). Paul testified at the Areopagus about God and the resurrection of Jesus, but some mocked him, while some (Dionysius, Damaris, and others) believed what Paul said. There were various reactions, but in many places people began to believe and come to faith.
Points to Ponder
- Even though reactions differ in every region where the gospel is proclaimed, we can see that God’s word takes deep root in a variety of people.
- The detailed contrast between Thessalonica and Berea—threats of violence versus eager searching—shows the need for an open heart to the gospel and for careful study.
- Through Paul’s efforts to explain the gospel in Athens’ cultural and philosophical setting, we can also learn that we should look for ways to communicate appropriately for our time and culture.
Applying to Myself
- I can reflect on what my attitude toward the gospel is, and whether I have an open heart and passion to confirm the truth.
- In my daily life, I can think about which parts are being challenged by the gospel, or the need to approach how I share the gospel with other people wisely.
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