NOTES for Act 17:1-15

The events accompanying the apostolic preaching develop similarly in two different cities. Following the preaching in the synagogue, some Jews and some Gentiles accept the Good News, while at the same time a division occurs both among the Jews and among the Gentiles. Those who reject the message of Christ join forces against His disciples. The brotherly unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians is natural, but an alliance between zealous Jews and defenders of the purity of paganism appears unnatural. Yet in the struggle for the purity of principles, that very purity often suffers.

Although the separation between Jews and Christians had already begun, many Jews were still willing to listen to and receive the preaching. The apostles, who a little earlier had announced that they were turning to the Gentiles, continue to address the Jews and find a response among them. This often happens: you think it is already clear what sort of person stands before you, but he unexpectedly shows another side, and you see that everything about him is not as clear as it seemed a moment ago...