Paul in Athens

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was troubled within him when he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.(A) 18 Then also, some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers argued with him. Some said, “What is this pseudo-intellectual[a] trying to say?”

Others replied, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities”—because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the Resurrection.[b](B)

19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus,[c] and said, “May we learn about this new teaching you’re speaking of?(C) 20 For what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these ideas mean.” 21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Acts 17:18 Lit this seed picker; = one who picks up scraps
  2. Acts 17:18 = Gk Anastasis
  3. Acts 17:19 Or Mars Hill, the oldest and most famous court in Athens with jurisdiction in moral, religious, and civil matters

Bible Gateway Recommends