Acts 17:3

King James Version

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.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
He explained the Scriptures to show them that the Messiah had to die and then rise from death. He said, "This Jesus that I am telling you about is the Messiah."

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
openynge and allegynge that Christ must nedes have suffred and rysen agayne from deeth and that this Iesus was Christ whom (sayde he) I preache to you.

Hebrew Names Version
explaining and demonstrating that the Messiah had to suffer, and to rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Yeshua, whom I proclaim to you, is the Messiah."

International Standard Version
He explained and showed them that the Christ[fn] had to suffer and rise from the dead. He said,He said">[fn] "This very Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ."[fn]Luke 24:26,46; Acts 18:28; Galatians 3:1;">[xr]

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."

New Century Version
He explained and proved that the Christ must die and then rise from the dead. He said, "This Jesus I am telling you about is the Christ."

Update Bible Version
opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that 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.

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."

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

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Opening them and evincing, That Christ ought to suffer, and to rise from the dead, and that this is the Christ, even Jesus, whom I declare unto you.

Weymouth's 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."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and openyde, and schewide that it bihofte Crist to suffre, and rise ayen fro deth, and that this is Jhesus Crist, whom Y telle to you.

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.

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.

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.

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)."

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.

Bible in Basic English
Saying to them clearly and openly that Christ had to be put to death and come back to life again; and that this Jesus, whom, he said, I am preaching to you, is the Christ.

Complete Jewish Bible
explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and that "this Yeshua whom I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah."

Darby Translation
opening and laying down that the Christ must have suffered and risen up from among the dead, and that this is the Christ, Jesus whom *I* announce to you.

Etheridge Translation
expounding, and showing, That Meshiha was to suffer and to rise from the house of the dead, and he is Jeshu the Meshiha whom I preach to you.

Murdock Translation
expounding and showing, that the Messiah was to suffer, and to arise from the dead, and that this Jesus whom I announce to you is the Messiah.

King James Version (1611)
Opening and alleadging, that Christ must needs haue suffered and risen againe from the dead: and that this Iesus whom I preach vnto you, is Christ.

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."

New Life Bible
He showed them that Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead. He said, "I preach this Jesus to you. He is the Christ."

New Revised Standard
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."

Geneva Bible (1587)
Opening, & alleadging that Christ must haue suffered, and risen againe from the dead: and this is Iesus Christ, whom, said he, I preach to you.

George Lamsa Translation
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.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
opening up, and setting forth, that it was needful for, the Christ, to suffer, and to arise from among the dead; and saying , This, is the Christ, - Jesus, whom, I, am declaring unto you.

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.

Revised 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."

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Openyng and alleagyng, that Christ must needes haue suffred, and rysen agayne from the dead, and that this is Christe Iesus, which I preache to you.

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."

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.”

Lexham English Bible
explaining and demonstrating that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ."

Literal Translation
opening and setting forth that the Christ must have suffered, and to have risen from the dead, and that this is the Christ, Jesus, whom I announce to you.

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.'

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
and alleged, that Christ must nedes haue suffred, & ryse agayne from the deed: and this Iesus, whom I preach vnto you (sayde he) is ye same Christ.

Mace New Testament (1729)
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.

New English Translation
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 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."

Simplified Cowboy Version
He explained what the Good Book had predicted about how the Top Hand must have the roughest ride anyone ever had, then die, and then come riding back from the grave three days later. Paul told 'em, "This cowboy, Jesus, is the Top Hand."

New American Standard Bible (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."

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."

Contextual Overview

¹ Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: ² And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, ³ 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. ⁴ And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. ⁵ But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. ⁶ And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; ⁷ Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. ⁸ And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. ⁹ And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Opening: Acts 2:16-36, Acts 3:22-26, Acts 13:26-39

Christ: Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27, Luke 24:32, Luke 24:44, Luke 24:46, 1 Corinthians 15:3, 1 Corinthians 15:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:6

this: Acts 2:36, Acts 9:22, Acts 18:28, Galatians 3:1

whom I preach: Acts 1:4

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 12:7 - reason Nehemiah 8:8 - and gave the sense Mark 13:7 - must Luke 2:11 - which Luke 2:26 - the Lord's Luke 9:20 - The Acts 3:18 - those Acts 5:42 - preach Acts 8:5 - preached Acts 8:35 - preached Acts 18:5 - and testified Acts 18:19 - but Acts 28:23 - he expounded 1 Corinthians 9:20 - unto Colossians 1:28 - Whom 1 Thessalonians 2:2 - bold 1 Peter 2:21 - because

Cross-References

Genesis 17:17
Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

Genesis 17:18
And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

Genesis 17:23
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

Genesis 17:24
And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Exodus 3:6
Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

Numbers 14:5
Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

Numbers 16:22
And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

Numbers 16:45
Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.

Joshua 5:14
And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?

Judges 13:20
For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Opening,.... That is, the Scriptures of the Old Testament, explaining and expounding them, giving the true sense of them; so this word is frequently used in Jewish writings e, as that such a Rabbi פתח, "opened", such a Scripture:

and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; he set this matter in a clear light, and made it plain and manifest, from the writings of the Old Testament, that there was a necessity of the Messiah's suffering and rising from the dead; or otherwise these Scriptures would not have been fulfilled, which have said that so it must be; for these things were not only necessary on account of God's decrees, and the covenant transactions the Son of God entered into, and on the account of the salvation of his people; but because of the types, promises, and prophecies of the Old Testament: the Scriptures which the apostle opened and set before them, and reasoned upon, showing the necessity of these things, very likely were such as these, Genesis 3:15

Isaiah 53:1 with many others:

and that this Jesus whom I preach unto you is Christ; he showed that all the things which were spoken of Christ, or the Messiah, in those Scriptures, were fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, who was the subject matter, the sum and substance of his ministry; and therefore he must be the Messiah, and the only Saviour and Redeemer of lost sinners.

e Zohar passim.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Opening - διανοίγων dianoigōn. See Luke 24:32. The word means to explain or to unfold. It is usually applied to what is shut, as the eye, etc. Then it means to explain what is concealed or obscure. It means here that he explained the Scriptures in their true sense.

And alleging - παρατιθέμενος paratithemenos. Laying down the proposition; that is, maintaining that it must be so.

That Christ must needs have suffered - That there was a fitness and necessity in his dying, as Jesus of Nazareth had done. The sense of this will be better seen by retaining the word “Messiah.” “That there was a fitness or necessity that the Messiah expected by the Jews, and predicted in their Scriptures, should suffer.” This point the Jews were unwilling to admit; but it was essential to his argument in proving that Jesus was the Messiah to show that it was foretold that he should die for the sins of people. On the necessity of this, see the notes on Luke 24:26-27.

Have suffered - That he should die.

And that this Jesus - And that this Jesus of Nazareth, who has thus suffered and risen, whom, said he, I preach to you, is the Messiah.

The arguments by which Paul probably proved that Jesus was the Messiah were:

(1) That he corresponded with the prophecies respecting him in the following particulars:

1. He was born at Bethlehem, Micah 5:2.
1. He was of the tribe of Judah, Genesis 49:10.
2. He was descended from Jesse, and of the royal line of David, Isaiah 11:1, Isaiah 11:10.
3. He came at the time predicted, Daniel 9:24-27.
4. His appearance, character, work, etc., corresponded with the predictions, Isaiah 53:1-12.

(2) His miracles proved that he was the Messiah, for he professed to be, and God would not work a miracle to confirm the claims of an impostor.

(3) For the same reason, his resurrection from the dead proved that he was the Messiah.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 17:3. Opening and alleging — παρατιθεμνος, Proving by citations. His method seems to have been this:

1st. He collected the scriptures that spoke of the Messiah.

2d. He applied these to Jesus Christ, showing that in him all these scriptures were fulfilled, and that he was the Saviour of whom they were in expectation. He showed also that the Christ, or Messiah, must needs suffer-that this was predicted, and was an essential mark of the true Messiah. By proving this point, he corrected their false notion of a triumphant Messiah, and thus removed the scandal of the cross.