The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles (XXIV) (Acts 17:1–18:23) JOSEP RIUS-CAMPS AND JENNY READ-HEIMERDINGER In these final sequences of Part III of the Book of Acts, the second phase of Paul’s missionary journey continues through Macedonia before moving on to Greece where he spends a brief time in Athens before a more extended stay in Corinth. Despite the divine intervention in Philippi in the previous sequence, which focused attention on the evangelisation of the Gentiles, Paul fails to follow this up but reverts to his earlier practice of devoting his energy first and foremost to the Jews in the synagogues. In Athens, his well- known attempt to speak to the Gentiles meets with little favour; it is only in Corinth, after fierce opposition from the synagogue, that Luke records more successful efforts to include the Gentiles as well as the Jews in his preaching activity. Keywords: Acts, Acts 17–18, Aquila and Priscilla, Athens, Agora, Areopagus, Codex Bezae, Codex Vaticanus, Corinth, Dionysius the Areopagite, Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, Jason, Paul, Silas, textual criticism, Western text. Part Three III. The Second Phase of the Mission to the Gentiles (Macedonia and Greece). 16:1–18:23 (concl.) [D] 17:1-9 Macedonia II: Thessalonica In Thessalonica, Paul will continue his practice of teaching in the synagogues, preaching to Jews and God-fearers from the basis of the Scriptures. His work will meet with a measure of success among Jews and Gentiles alike, but will be attacked by hostile Jews who denounce them to the Roman authorities as opponents of Caesar. The sequence is made up of two equal halves, the first describing Paul’s synagogue teaching and its positive results, and the second the attack of unbelieving Jews of the city: [a] 17:1 Journey to Thessalonica [b] 17:2a Paul goes to the synagogue Filología Neotestamentaria - Vol. XXV - 2012, pp. 119-160 Facultad de Filosofía y Letras - Universidad de Córdoba (España)