Acts 17:14

immediately As from Thessalonica so from Berœa, the departure is made in all haste, so much has the charge of conspiring against Cæsar's power disturbed the whole people.

to go as it were to the sea This rendering of the Text. Rec. conveys the idea that for a while the travellers made as though they would go in the direction of the sea, and then to baffle pursuit turned and took the land road to Athens. But the reading of ἕως for ὡς, which has the support of the most ancient authorities, makes the sense to be "to go as far as to the sea," and this is to be preferred for several reasons. For it" is difficult to understand that St Paul would have gone on through Thessaly and all the intervening districts which lie north of Attica, and never have sought an opportunity of preaching the word anywhere till Athens was reached. But if he were conveyed to the sea and took ship and was thus brought to Athens, then it is easy to understand that the next place mentioned in the journey is Athens. It is clear too from the whole account of St Paul's travels, that he was a person who by reason of his infirmities could not easily travel alone. That such a person should have been brought so long a distance by land, where the sea-voyage was so accessible and easy, is hardly to be imagined. It may well be that at the departure from Berœa the design was to wait at the coast till his proper companions could come to him, but that when the sea was reached there was found a speedy opportunity of sailing into Attica, which the Apostle embraced, as his conductors were willing to go all the journey with him.

abode there still Because Silas and Timothy had played a less prominent part and were not in the same peril as St Paul.