Acts 17:14
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And then immediately the brothers sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus stayed there still.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And then immediately the brothers sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus stayed there still.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
So the brothers sent Paul straight away to the sea: but Silas and Timothy kept there still.
Webster's Revision
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul, to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timothy abode there still.
World English Bible
Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.
Definitions for Acts 17:14
Clarke's Acts 17:14 Bible Commentary
To go as it were to the sea - This passage is generally understood to mean that the disciples took Paul towards the sea, as if he had intended to embark, and return to Troas, but with the real design to go to Athens. But it is more likely that his conductors, in order to his greater safety, left the public or more frequented road, and took him coastwise to Athens. Or, by taking a vessel at that part of the sea nearest to Berea, they might have coasted it to Athens, which was quite a possible case; and, as we do not hear of his stopping at any place on his journey to preach, it is very probable that he went by sea to this city. Though sleights and feints may be allowable in cases of life and death, yet there does not appear an absolute necessity for any in this case. And, as the text does not necessarily point any out, so we need not have recourse to any. I take it for granted, therefore, that Paul went by sea to Athens.
Silas and Timotheus abode there still - The persecution, it seems, was directed principally against Paul. Lo! he stayeth his rough wind on the day of his east wind. Silas and Timotheus, holy men, were left behind to water the seed which Paul had planted.
Barnes's Acts 17:14 Bible Commentary
The brethren - Those who were Christians.
Sent away Paul - In order to secure his safety. A similar thing had been done in Thessalonica, Acts 17:10. The tumult was great; and there was no doubt, such was the hostility of the Jews, that the life of Paul would be endangered, and they there fore resolved to secure his safety.
As it were - Rather, "even to the sea," for that is its signification. It does not imply that there was any feint or sleight in the case, as if they intended to deceive their pursuers. They took him to the seacoast, not far from Berea, and from that place he probably went by sea to Athens.