Mark 9:34

Acts 17:2

Verse 2. 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, 13:5,14.

Reasoned with them. Discoursed to them, or attempted to prove that Jesus was the Messiah. The word used here (διελεγετο) means often no more than to make a public address or discourse. 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.

(d) "went in unto them" Lk 4:16, Acts 9:20, 13:5,14

Acts 17:17

Verse 17. Therefore disputed he. Or reasoned. He engaged in an argument with them.

With the devout persons. Those worshipping God after the manner of the Jews. They were Jewish proselytes, who had renounced idolatry, but who had not been fully admitted to the privileges of the Jews. Acts 10:2.

And in the market. In the forum. It was not only the place where provisions were sold, but was also a place of great public concourse. In this place the philosophers were not unfrequently found engaged in public discussion.

(a) "devout persons" Acts 8:2

Acts 18:4

Verse 4. And he reasoned. Acts 17:2.

(*) "reasoned" "discoursed" (a) "synagogue" Acts 17:2

Acts 18:19

Verse 19. And he came to Ephesus. This was a celebrated city in Ionia, in Asia Minor, about forty miles south of Smyrna. It was chiefly famous for the temple of Diana, usually reckoned one of the seven wonders of the world. Pliny styles this city the ornament of Asia. In the times of the Romans it was the metropolis of Asia. This city is now under the dominion of the Turks, and is almost in a state of ruin. Dr. Chandler, in his travels in Asia Minor, says--"The inhabitants are a few Greek peasants, living in extreme wretchedness, dependence, and insensibility; the representatives of an illustrious people, and inhabiting the wreck of their greatness; some in the substructions of the glorious edifices which they raised; some beneath the vaults of the stadium, once the crowded scene of their diversions; and some in the sepulchres which received their ashes."--Travels, p. 131, Oxford, 1775. The Jews, according to Josephus, were very numerous in Ephesus, and had obtained the privilege of citizenship.

Left them there. That is, Aquila and Priscilla, Acts 18:24-26.

Reasoned with the Jews. Acts 17:2.

(*) "reasoned" "Discoursed" (a) "reasoned with the Jews" Acts 17:2
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