Acts 17:3
New International Version
explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said.

New Living Translation
He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.”

English Standard Version
explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

Berean Standard Bible
explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.

Berean Literal Bible
opening and setting forth that it behooved the Christ to have suffered and to have risen out from the dead, and that "this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."

King James Bible
Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

New King James Version
explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”

New American Standard Bible
explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”

NASB 1995
explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”

NASB 1977
explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”

Legacy Standard Bible
explaining and setting before them that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is that Christ.”

Amplified Bible
explaining and pointing out [scriptural evidence] that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I am proclaiming to you, is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).”

Christian Standard Bible
explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
explaining and showing that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.”

American Standard Version
opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is the Christ.

Contemporary English Version
to show them that the Messiah had to suffer, but that he would rise from death. Paul also told them that Jesus is the Messiah he was preaching about.

English Revised Version
opening and alleging, that it behoved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is the Christ.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He explained and showed them that the Messiah had to suffer, die, and come back to life, and that Jesus, the person he talked about, was this Messiah.

Good News Translation
and explaining the Scriptures, and proving from them that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from death. "This Jesus whom I announce to you," Paul said, "is the Messiah."

International Standard Version
He explained and showed them that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead: "This very Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Messiah."

Majority Standard Bible
explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.

NET Bible
explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead, saying, "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ."

New Heart English Bible
explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ."

Webster's Bible Translation
Opening and alledging, that it was needful that Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach to you, is Christ.

Weymouth New Testament
which he clearly explained, pointing out that it had been necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise again from the dead, and insisting, "The Jesus whom I am announcing to you is the Christ."

World English Bible
explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
opening and alleging that it was necessary [for] the Christ to suffer, and to rise again out of the dead, and that “this is the Christ—Jesus whom I proclaim to you.”

Berean Literal Bible
opening and setting forth that it behooved the Christ to have suffered and to have risen out from the dead, and that "this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."

Young's Literal Translation
opening and alleging, 'That the Christ it behoved to suffer, and to rise again out of the dead, and that this is the Christ -- Jesus whom I proclaim to you.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Opening and setting before, that it was necessary for Christ to suffer, and rise from, the dead; and that this is Christ Jesus, whom I announce to you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Declaring and insinuating that the Christ was to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this is Jesus Christ, whom I preach to you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
interpreting and concluding that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead, and that “this is the Jesus Christ, whom I am announcing to you.”

New American Bible
expounding and demonstrating that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead, and that “This is the Messiah, Jesus, whom I proclaim to you.”

New Revised Standard Version
explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Interpreting and proving that Christ had to suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that he is the same Jesus Christ whom I preach to you.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
As he was expounding and showing: “The Messiah was going to suffer and rise from the grave, and he is Yeshua The Messiah, this one whom I proclaim to you.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
explaining and affirming that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead; and that this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.

Godbey New Testament
opening and proving, that it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead, and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is the Christ.

Haweis New Testament
opening them clearly, and laying it evidently down that the Messiah must suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that this man is the Messiah, even Jesus, whom I preach unto you.

Mace New Testament
explaining them, and setting it to view, that the Messiah was to suffer and rise again from the dead: and that Jesus, whom he denounc'd to them, was that very Messiah.

Weymouth New Testament
which he clearly explained, pointing out that it had been necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise again from the dead, and insisting, "The Jesus whom I am announcing to you is the Christ."

Worrell New Testament
opening and setting forth that it was necessary that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that "This Jesus Whom I am proclaiming to you, is the Christ."

Worsley New Testament
opening them and shewing, that the Messiah was to suffer and rise again from the dead: and that this is the Christ even, Jesus, whom, said he, I preach unto you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Preaches at Thessalonica
2As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared. 4Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.…

Cross References
Luke 24:26-27
Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?” / And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.

Luke 24:44-46
Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” / Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. / And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, / that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Isaiah 53:3-5
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. / Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. / But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

Psalm 22:16-18
For dogs surround me; a band of evil men encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. / I can count all my bones; they stare and gloat over me. / They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

Matthew 16:21
From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

John 2:19-22
Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. ...

John 20:9
For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

Romans 1:2-4
the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, / regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh, / and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Peter 1:10-11
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, / trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

Daniel 9:25-26
Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress. / Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed.

Zechariah 12:10
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Hosea 6:2
After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.

Psalm 16:10
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

John 5:39
You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,


Treasury of Scripture

Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach to you, is Christ.

Opening.

Acts 2:16-36
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; …

Acts 3:22-26
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you…

Acts 13:26-39
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent…

Christ.

Luke 24:26,27,32,44,46
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? …

1 Corinthians 15:3,4
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; …

1 Thessalonians 1:5,6
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake…

this.

Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Acts 9:22
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Acts 18:28
For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

whom I preach.

Acts 1:4
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

Jump to Previous
Behooved Christ Clearly Dead Death Demonstrating Evidence Explained Explaining Jesus Life Necessary Needful Needs Opening Openly Pointing Preach Preaching Proclaim Proclaiming Proving Rise Risen Suffer Suffered
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Behooved Christ Clearly Dead Death Demonstrating Evidence Explained Explaining Jesus Life Necessary Needful Needs Opening Openly Pointing Preach Preaching Proclaim Proclaiming Proving Rise Risen Suffer Suffered
Acts 17
1. Paul preaches at Thessalonica, where some believe,
5. and others persecute him.
10. He is sent to Berea, and preaches there.
13. Being persecuted by Jews from Thessalonica,
16. he comes to Athens, and disputes and preaches the living God, to them unknown;
32. whereby, though some mock, many are converted unto Christ.














explaining
The Greek word used here is "dianoigō," which means to open thoroughly, as in opening the mind to understand. This word suggests a deep, comprehensive teaching that goes beyond surface-level understanding. In the context of Acts 17, Paul is engaging in a methodical exposition of the Scriptures, aiming to illuminate the minds of his listeners to the truths about the Messiah. This reflects the Christian duty to not only share the Gospel but to ensure it is understood in its fullness.

proving
The term "paratithēmi" in Greek implies setting forth evidence or presenting a case. Paul is not merely stating facts; he is laying out a logical, evidence-based argument for the necessity of Christ's suffering and resurrection. This approach underscores the rational foundation of Christian faith, which invites believers to engage both heart and mind in their spiritual journey.

that the Christ had to suffer
The phrase "had to" indicates divine necessity, rooted in the Greek word "dei," which means it is necessary. This necessity is grounded in the prophetic Scriptures, such as Isaiah 53, which foretold the suffering of the Messiah. The suffering of Christ was not an accident but a fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, highlighting the sacrificial love of God and the fulfillment of His promises.

and rise from the dead
The resurrection is central to Christian doctrine, as it validates Jesus' divinity and the truth of His teachings. The Greek word "anistēmi" means to stand up or rise again, signifying victory over death. This event is the cornerstone of Christian hope, assuring believers of eternal life and the ultimate triumph over sin and death.

'This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,'
Paul's declaration is both personal and authoritative. The use of "proclaiming" (Greek "katangellō") suggests a public announcement with conviction and authority. By identifying Jesus as "the Christ," Paul affirms Jesus as the anointed one, the Messiah promised in the Hebrew Scriptures. This proclamation is a call to recognize Jesus' unique role in God's salvation history.

he declared
The act of declaring, from the Greek "legō," implies speaking with intention and clarity. Paul's declaration is not just informative but transformative, inviting his audience to a decision. It reflects the urgency and importance of the Gospel message, which demands a response from its hearers. This underscores the role of believers to boldly and clearly communicate the truth of Christ to the world.

(3) Opening and alleging.--The latter word is used in the sense of bringing forward proofs, and the two words imply an argument from the prophecies of the Messiah, like in kind to that at the Pisidian Antioch. In the intervals between the Sabbaths, the Apostle worked, as usual, for his livelihood, probably, of course, as a tent-maker (2Thessalonians 3:8).

That Christ must needs have suffered.--Better, that the Christ, as pointing to the expected Messiah, the Anointed of the Lord, whom all Jews were expecting, but whom they were unwilling to recognise in the crucified Jesus. The argument was, therefore, to show that prophecy pointed to a suffering as well as a glorified Messiah, and that both conditions were fulfilled in Jesus.

Verse 3. - It behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise for Christ must needs have suffered, and risen, A.V.; whom, said he for whom, A.V.; proclaim for preach. A.V.; the Christ for Christ, A.V. The line of reasoning adopted by St. Paul in his preaching to the Thessalonian Jews was the same as that of our Lord to the disciples and apostles on the day of his resurrection, as recorded in Luke 24:26, 27; 44-47, and that of St. Peter (Acts 2:22-36; Acts 3:18; Acts 4:11, etc.), and it is irresistible. The fulfillment of prophecies relating to the Messiah in the person of Jesus is like the fitting of a key to the intricate wards of the lock, which proves that it is the right key. The preacher of the gospel should carefully study and expound to the people the word of prophecy, and then show its counterpart in the sufferings and glory of Christ. This did St. Paul. Opening (διανοίγων); as our Lord had done (διήνοιγεν ἡμῖν τὰς γραφάς, Luke 24:32), the hidden meaning of the prophecies, and then alleging (παρατιθέμενος), setting before them the propositions which had thus been established. The process is described in Luke 24:27 as interpreting ("expounded," A.V.). In this verse the opening was showing from the prophets that the Messiah was to die and rise again; the alleging was that Jesus was that very Christ.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
explaining
διανοίγων (dianoigōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1272: To open fully. From dia and anoigo; to open thoroughly, literally or figuratively.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

proving
παρατιθέμενος (paratithemenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3908: From para and tithemi; to place alongside, i.e. Present; by implication, to deposit.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Christ
Χριστὸν (Christon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

had to
ἔδει (edei)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1163: Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.

suffer
παθεῖν (pathein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3958: I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

rise
ἀναστῆναι (anastēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 450: To raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear. From ana and histemi; to stand up.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[the] dead.
νεκρῶν (nekrōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.

“This
Οὗτός (Houtos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

am proclaiming
καταγγέλλω (katangellō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2605: To declare openly, proclaim, preach, laud, celebrate. From kata and the base of aggelos; to proclaim, promulgate.

to you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Christ,”
Χριστός (Christos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

[ he declared ].
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.


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