Acts 17:16

¹⁴ The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.

¹⁵ Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.

¹⁷ So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.

¹⁸ Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.
KJV: Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
WEB: Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.
ASV: Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols.
DARBY: But in Athens, while Paul was waiting for them, his spirit was painfully excited in him seeing the city given up to idolatry.
BLB: Now Paul in Athens waiting for them, his spirit was provoked in him, seeing the city to be utterly idolatrous.

ÅB: Mens Paulus ventet på dem i Aten ble han provosert i sin ånd når han så at byen var full av avgudsbilder.
OTB: Mens Paulus ventet på dem i Athen, ble hans ånd opprørt i ham da han så at byen var full av avguder.
B1930: Mens nu Paulus ventet på dem i Aten, harmedes hans ånd i ham, da han så at byen var full av avgudsbilleder.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Psalms 119:158
I look on the faithless with loathing because they do not keep Your word.
Read in context
Psalms 119:136
My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed.
Read in context
Exodus 32:19–20
As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he burned with anger and threw the tablets out of his hands, shattering them at the base of the mountain.
Read in context
2 Peter 2:7
and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless
Read in context
Job 32:18–20
For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.
Read in context
Micah 3:8
As for me, however, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and courage, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.
Read in context
Mark 3:5
Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.
Read in context
Jeremiah 20:9
If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.
Read in context