Acts 17:2

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 Gemian 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).