Acts 17:20

Translations

Modern

For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”

Traditional

For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

Literal

For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. We resolve, therefore, to know what these things wish to be.”

Latin

…nova enim quædam infers auribus nostris: volumus ergo scire quidnam velint hæc esse.

Original

Greek

English

For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”

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

1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 1:23
…but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
Hosea 8:12
Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, they regarded them as something strange.
1 Peter 4:4
Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Mark 9:10
So they kept this matter to themselves, discussing what it meant to rise from the dead.
Hebrews 5:11
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.
Mark 10:24–26
And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
John 7:35–36
At this, the Jews said to one another, “Where does He intend to go that we will not find Him? Will He go where the Jews are dispersed among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
Acts 10:17
While Peter was puzzling over the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house and approached the gate.
Acts 2:12
Astounded and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Matthew 19:23–25
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

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

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 17:20

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Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

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