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

This verse describes Paul's encounter with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens. They brought him to the Areopagus, the place where legal and religious matters were debated, to understand his teachings. The phrase "What is this new doctrine whereof thou speakest?" signifies their curiosity and perhaps their intellectual skepticism regarding Paul's message. They were eager to hear and discuss new philosophical ideas, as was common in Athenian intellectual circles.

Acts 17 19 Context

Paul was in Athens, a city renowned for its intellectual pursuits and philosophical schools, particularly Epicureanism and Stoicism. Having encountered the Areopagus, the central council of Athens, he had previously preached about Jesus and the resurrection, drawing a mixed crowd. This verse highlights the reaction of the prominent philosophical groups to his message. They recognized something new and potentially significant in his teachings, leading them to seek further clarification in their familiar setting of debate and discussion.

Acts 17 19 Word Analysis

• and (Greek: και, kai): A common conjunction, used here to connect clauses and introduce the next action.

• brought (Greek: ἦγον, ēgon): Imperfect tense of ἄγω (agō), meaning "to lead" or "to bring." It indicates a continuous or repeated action in the past. They took him.

• him (Greek: αὐτὸν, auton): The direct object, referring to Paul.

• unto (Greek: εἰς, eis): A preposition indicating motion into or towards.

• the (Greek: τὸν, ton): The definite article.

• Areopagus (Greek: Ἄρειον πάγον, Areion Pagon): Literally "Areopagus," named after Ares (the Greek god of war). It was a hill and a council in Athens that dealt with legal, social, and religious matters. It signifies a formal setting for discourse.

• saying (Greek: λέγοντες, legontes): Present participle of λέγω (legō), "to say" or "to speak." They were speaking as they led him.

• May (Greek: δύναισθε, dynaisthe): From δύναμαι (dynamai), meaning "to be able" or "to can." It implies a question of possibility or permission.

• we (Greek: ἡμεῖς, hēmeis): Pronoun for "we."

• know (Greek: εἰδέναι, eidenai): Infinitive of οἶδα (oida), meaning "to know" or "to understand." They wanted knowledge.

• what (Greek: τί, ti): An interrogative pronoun, "what."

• this (Greek: οὗτος, houtos): Demonstrative pronoun, referring to something specific.

• new (Greek: καινὴ, kainē): Adjective meaning "new," often implying fresh or different rather than merely a replacement.

• doctrine (Greek: διδαχὴ, didachē): Means "teaching" or "doctrine."

• whereof (Greek: ἥτις, hētis): Relative pronoun, meaning "which" or "whereof," connecting "doctrine" to the statement.

• thou (Greek: σύ, su): Pronoun for "you" (singular).

• speakest (Greek: λαλεῖς, laleis): Present tense of λαλέω (laleō), meaning "to speak" or "to talk."

• What is this new doctrine whereof thou speakest? - This phrase captures the Athenians' characteristic intellectual curiosity mixed with potential dismissal. It implies they are interested in discourse but want to categorize and understand it within their existing philosophical frameworks. It questions the novelty and nature of Paul's teaching.

Acts 17 19 Bonus Section

The setting on the Areopagus (Mars' Hill) was significant. It was a place of judgment and important civic discourse, demonstrating the seriousness with which some Athenians took Paul's teaching, or at least the public disturbance it caused. The philosophers were representing their schools—Epicureans, who advocated for pleasure and absence of pain as the highest good, and Stoics, who emphasized reason, virtue, and acceptance of fate. Both philosophical systems had concepts that Paul could connect with (e.g., a higher power, reason), but both also fundamentally differed from the Christian doctrine of a crucified and resurrected Savior, the need for repentance, and the resurrection of the dead. Paul would go on to preach Christ, using elements of their thought as a bridge but ultimately presenting a truth beyond human philosophy.

Acts 17 19 Commentary

The Athenian philosophers, representatives of Greek intellectualism, brought Paul to the Areopagus. Their intent was to hear and discuss this "new doctrine" more thoroughly. They were accustomed to engaging with novel ideas and debates. This encounter reveals a common challenge faced by early Christians: presenting the Gospel in a way that resonated with existing philosophical and cultural contexts while remaining distinct. The question implies a desire to understand the substance of Paul's message, framing it within their intellectual discourse. It's a polite but potentially probing question from minds trained to analyze and question.