And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
The apostles fled not for their own hides but to carry on their work elsewhere, as Christ commanded. The devil meant to stop the gospel by persecution and was outshot in his own bow; the brethren's care to send them away by night became the very means to spread it further. Flight was their charge, not their shame.
AI summary
Commenting on Acts 17:10-15
And they that conducted Paul,.... From Berea to the sea side: brought him unto Athens; a famous city in Attica, where both (q) Pliny and Ptolomy (r) place it, well known for the learning and wisdom of the ancient philosophers, who had their schools and universities in it; the former of these calls it a free city, and says, it needed no description nor commendation...
Verse 15. Unto Athens. This was the first visit of Paul to this celebrated city; and perhaps the first visit of a Christian minister. His success in this city, for some cause, was not great. But his preaching was attended with the conversion of some individuals. See . Athens was the most celebrated city of Greece, and was distinguished for the military talents, learning, eloquence, and politeness of its inhabitants.