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Acts 17:14

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 17:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.
Acts 17:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.
12Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few.
13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes.
14And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.
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.
16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols.
17So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And then immediately the brethren, etc.] That were at Berea, the new converts there: sent away Paul, whom they knew the Jews mostly sought after, and were offended with: to go as it were to the sea; the Aegean sea, or Archipelago, near to which Berea was: this seems to have been done, in order to make the people conclude that he intended to take shipping, and go into some other parts of the world, when the design was to go to Athens by foot, and so be safe from any lying in wait of his persecutors: the Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, and the Oriental versions read, “to go to the sea”; to the sea side, whither it seems he did go; and yet it looks as if he did not go by sea, but by land,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“immediately the brethren--the converts gathered at Berea. sent away Paul--as before from Jerusalem (Act 9:30), and from Thessalonica (Act 17:10). How long he stayed at Berea we know not; but as we know that he longed and expected soon to return to the Thessalonians (Th1 2:17), it is probable he remained some weeks at least, and only abandoned his intention of revisiting Thessalonica at that time when the virulence of his enemies there, stimulated by his success at Berea, brought them down thither to counterwork him. to go as it were to the sea--rather, perhaps, "in the direction of the sea." Probably he delayed fixing his next destination till he should reach the coast, and the providence of…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The brethren - Those who were Christians. Sent away Paul - In order to secure his safety. A similar thing had been done in Thessalonica, Acts 17:10. The tumult was great; and there was no doubt, such was the hostility of the Jews, that the life of Paul would be endangered, and they there fore resolved to secure his safety. As it were - Rather, “even to the sea,” for that is its signification. It does not imply that there was any feint or sleight in the case, as if they intended to deceive their pursuers. They took him to the seacoast, not far from Berea, and from that place he probably went by sea to Athens. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“then: Act 17:10, Act 9:25, Act 9:30; Mat 10:23 as it: Act 20:3; Jos 2:16 but: Act 19:22; Ti1 1:3; Tit 1:5 Acts 17:15”
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