Acts 17:16 nasb — Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city fu…

NASB

"Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols."

— Acts 17:16, NASB

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Acts 17:16 in Other Translations

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Acts 17 — Context

13

But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds.

14

Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there.

15

Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.

16

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.

17

So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present.

18

And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. Some were saying, "What would this idle babbler wish to say?" Others, "He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,"--because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.

19

And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming?

Acts 17:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Acts 17:16 say?
Acts 17:16 in the NASB reads: “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.”
Where is Acts 17:16 in the Bible?
Acts 17:16 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Acts, chapter 17, verse 16.
Who wrote Acts?
Acts is traditionally attributed to Luke. It was written c. AD 62–64.
What is the book of Acts about?
Acts is the sequel to Luke's Gospel — the story of how the message of the risen Jesus moved out from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Through Peter, Paul, and many ordinary believers, the Holy Spirit builds the early church across the Roman world.
What are the major themes of Acts?
Acts explores themes including Holy Spirit, Mission, Church Growth, Persecution, Gospel to the Gentiles. These themes shape the meaning and context of Acts 17:16.
What translation should I read Acts 17:16 in?
Acts 17:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Acts 17:16?
Acts 17:16 reads (NASB): “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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