Acts 17:19

Translations

Modern

So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?

Traditional

And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

Literal

And having taken hold of him, they brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “Are we able to know what this new teaching is that is spoken by you?

Latin

Et apprehensum eum ad Areopagum duxerunt, dicentes: Possumus scire quæ est hæc nova, quæ a te dicitur, doctrina?

Original

Greek

English

So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?

Notes

Acts 17:16–34

In this chapter, we see Paul presented as a model witness for Christ, engaging the thinkers of his day and challenging them with the Christian message. Paul quoted writers his audience would be familiar with and showed the relevance of the gospel by dialoguing with them, critiquing their assumptions, and offering Jesus as a constructive alternative (see Colossians 1:28).

Paul reminded these proud intellectuals that there is a living God to whom all human beings are answerable; that they will be judged by him through Jesus, whom God raised from the dead; and that they should therefore repent and put their faith in Jesus.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Natural Revelation The Good News Message The Unknown God

Events

Second Missionary Journeyc. AD 46
Paul preaches in Athens

Related verses

Mark 1:27
All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!”
Acts 17:22
Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious.
Acts 24:24
After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
Acts 25:22
Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” “Tomorrow you will hear him,” Festus declared.
1 John 2:7–8
Beloved, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but an old one, which you have had from the beginning. This commandment is the message you have heard.
Acts 26:1
Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:
Matthew 10:18
On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
John 13:34
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
Acts 17:20
For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”

Places

Areopagus: A hill in Athens where Paul preached the gospel

Glossary

Areopagus Athens Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) First Letter to the Thessalonians Gospel Jude, Letter of Mars’ Hill Pagans Stoicism, Stoics Travel

Topics

Areopagus: Mar's Hill Athens: A City of Greece Curiosity of the Athenians, to Hear some New Thing Mars' Hill: A Hill in Athens Paul: Debates on Mars' Hill (At the Meeting of the Areopagus Council) with Greeks

Acts 17:19

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