Acts 17:15

αὐτὸν before ἕως Ἀθηνῶν omitted with אABD. Vulg. has ‘eum.’

15. οἱ δὲ καθιστάνοντες, and they who conducted. This form καθιστάνω, which is found nowhere else in N.T. in this sense, is the same word as the more usual καθίστημι; and the use of this word conveys the idea that the whole care and ordering of the journey was in the hands of his conductors and not of St Paul. καθίστημι is used of the way in which the Israelites led Rahab and all that belonged to her out of Jericho (Joshua 6:23); also see 2 Chronicles 28:15 of the way in which the Judæan captives were sent back, καὶ� … καὶ πάντας τοὺς γυμνοὺς περιέβαλον� … καὶ κατέστησαν αὐτοὺς εἰς Ἱεριχώ.

ἤγαγον ἕως Ἀθηνῶν, brought him unto Athens. And of course saw him safely settled where he could wait for his fellow-missionaries, which he seems to have designed to do, without preaching, had not his spirit been roused by the sights he saw.

ὡς τάχιστα, with all speed. This charge was given because Paul was now to be left alone; and would not readily set about his mission till he had some companion.