Acts 17 19

Acts 17:19 kjv

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

Acts 17:19 nkjv

And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?

Acts 17:19 niv

Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?

Acts 17:19 esv

And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?

Acts 17:19 nlt

Then they took him to the high council of the city. "Come and tell us about this new teaching," they said.

Acts 17 verses

Acts 17 19 Meaning

Acts 17:19 describes the moment Paul was led by the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers from the Athenian marketplace to the Areopagus, a prominent hill and council, to explain the "new teaching" he was proclaiming. This event marked a shift from an informal discussion to a more structured, though still exploratory, presentation before a significant body responsible for overseeing religious and philosophical doctrines in Athens. The request for Paul to speak was driven by the Athenians' characteristic curiosity for novel ideas, desiring to understand the substance of his message, which appeared radically different from their established systems.

Acts 17 19 Context

Acts chapter 17 details Paul's missionary journey through Thessalonica, Berea, and finally, Athens. Upon arriving in Athens, Paul observed a city "full of idols" (v. 16), which provoked his spirit. He began to reason in the synagogue with Jews and devout Gentiles, and in the marketplace (agora) daily with anyone who would listen, including Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (v. 17-18). These philosophers, representing leading intellectual traditions of the time—Epicureans emphasizing pleasure as the highest good and avoiding divine intervention, Stoics focusing on virtue, reason, and an impersonal divine force—found Paul's talk of Jesus and the resurrection intriguing, yet baffling, deeming him a "babbler" or a "proclaimer of foreign divinities." His message was seen as entirely "new" (kainē), not just recent but different in kind from their known systems. It is within this immediate backdrop of marketplace debate that they "took him" to the Areopagus, desiring a more formal hearing of this novel teaching. Historically, the Areopagus was a prominent hill and a council with deep roots in Athenian law, ethics, and religion. By Paul's time, while its supreme judicial functions were diminished, it still served as a highly respected forum for examining public teaching and the introduction of new religious concepts, making it a fitting, albeit challenging, platform for Paul's sermon.

Acts 17 19 Word analysis

• And they took him: The Greek word is Epilabomenoi (ἐπιλαβόμενοί), a participle meaning "having taken hold of," "laying hold of," or "seizing." In this context, it suggests an escort or guidance rather than a violent arrest, implying that they took the initiative to bring him, possibly with a degree of polite compulsion due to their authoritative status.
• and brought him: The Greek ēgagon (ἤγαγον) means "they led" or "they conducted." It further emphasizes the act of guiding Paul to a specific location, highlighting the Athenians' role in facilitating this appearance.
• to the Areopagus: The Greek Areion Pagon (Ἄρειον Πάγον) refers to "Mars Hill," a rocky outcrop near the Acropolis in Athens. It was historically the seat of the venerable judicial council, also known as the Areopagus. In the Roman period, this council still held considerable moral and religious authority, including jurisdiction over public teaching and foreign religions, making it the appropriate place to examine Paul's "new" message. Its cultural significance as a center for intellectual and legal discourse is profound.
• saying: The Greek legontes (λέγοντες), a present participle, indicates their active questioning and the motivation behind bringing Paul there.
• May we know: The Greek Dunameha gnōnai (Δυνάμεθα γνῶναι) uses a form of "to be able" (dynamai) and "to know" (ginōskō). This is a polite inquiry, not an aggressive interrogation. It expresses a desire for understanding, hinting at the intellectual curiosity and academic atmosphere of Athens. It suggests "Are we permitted to learn?" or "Is it possible for us to understand?"
• what this new teaching is: The Greek tis hē kainē hautē didachē (τίς ἡ καινὴ αὕτη διδαχὴ).
  • "new" (kainē): Implies something fresh, unprecedented, or qualitatively different, not just recent. For the Athenians, Paul's message on resurrection was a distinct departure from their philosophical frameworks and concept of divinity. It challenged their understanding of existence and the afterlife.
  • "teaching" (didachē): Refers to a doctrine, instruction, or a body of teaching. The term signifies a formal subject matter suitable for philosophical discussion or religious examination.
  • "of which you speak": The Greek hē hypo sou laloumenē (ἡ ὑπὸ σοῦ λαλουμένη) is a participle clause specifying the source of the teaching, confirming they want to hear directly from Paul about what he personally proclaims. It clarifies they are interested in the specific content he has been vocalizing in the marketplace.

Acts 17 19 Bonus section

The "Areopagus" literally translates to "Hill of Ares" (Mars in Roman mythology). This geographical and judicial body had a deep historical significance tied to the ancient legal and moral governance of Athens, adding a layer of gravitas to Paul's audience. It was traditionally where severe criminal cases, particularly those involving murder and impiety, were tried. While its powers evolved, its role as a guardian of traditional Athenian religious and ethical life meant Paul's message, seen as introducing new gods (foreign divinities), came directly under their purview. Some scholars draw parallels between Paul's appearance here and that of Socrates, who was condemned by an Athenian court for introducing new gods and corrupting the youth, though Paul's outcome was different. The phrase "new teaching" suggests a perception that Paul was bringing in foreign cults, a potential capital offense in ancient Athens, but their tone was one of investigation rather than accusation.

Acts 17 19 Commentary

Acts 17:19 marks a pivotal transition for Paul in Athens, moving him from the bustling, chaotic atmosphere of the public agora to a more focused and significant forum. While not an arrest, the act of "taking" and "bringing" Paul to the Areopagus implies an official escort by those holding some form of authority, likely representatives or concerned citizens from the influential philosophical schools. Their motivation was primarily intellectual curiosity—a characteristic trait of the Athenians who constantly sought "something new" (Acts 17:21). This presented Paul with a unique opportunity to address a highly educated and influential segment of pagan society, not as a street preacher, but as an expounder of a "new teaching" that demanded careful consideration. The challenge for Paul was to bridge the vast conceptual gap between Greek philosophical thought and the revealed truth of the Gospel, particularly the concepts of a personal Creator God and the resurrection of the body. His readiness to articulate the Gospel in various cultural settings is powerfully illustrated here, as he prepares to speak wisdom to the wise, not on their terms, but through the power of God's truth.