In the

Footsteps of Saint
Paul

Saint Paul in Athens

The Acts of the Apostles (17.9-17)

Greek text on papyrus c.AD 250 Egypt

CB BP I (P45) f.30r

The Acts of the Apostles

The book known as the Acts of the Apostles was written around AD
80 and is the fifth book of the New Testament. It was possibly
written as a companion volume to the Gospel of Luke. Although
traditionally identified with Luke, the authorship of the book is
unclear and like other works in the New Testament, the title was
only assigned in later copies of the text. The text recounts the
early years of Christianity in Jerusalem and its eventual arrival in
Rome.

'¼ In Athens while Paul was waiting for
them, his spirit within him was agitated, observing how the city was
full of idols. And so he debated in the synagogue with the Jews and
the worshippers, and in the market place...' Acts,
17:16-17