Acts 17 33

Acts 17:33 kjv

So Paul departed from among them.

Acts 17:33 nkjv

So Paul departed from among them.

Acts 17:33 niv

At that, Paul left the Council.

Acts 17:33 esv

So Paul went out from their midst.

Acts 17:33 nlt

That ended Paul's discussion with them,

Acts 17 verses

Acts 17 33 Meaning

Acts 17:33 states that after Paul finished speaking, specifically after he had spoken about the resurrection of the dead, some individuals departed from his midst. This verse signifies a mixed response to Paul's gospel message at the Areopagus in Athens, highlighting a clear rejection by some hearers who found the doctrine of resurrection unpalatable or nonsensical, leading them to leave rather than engage further or believe.

Acts 17 33 Context

Acts 17:33 falls immediately after Paul's notable address on the Areopagus in Athens, recorded from verse 22 to 31. Paul, having observed the Athenians' religious devotion, began his discourse by acknowledging their "unknown god." He then shifted to proclaim the true God, the Creator, who does not dwell in temples made by human hands nor needs anything from humanity. He asserted God's sovereignty over all nations, setting their appointed times and boundaries, so that they might seek Him. Paul culminated his sermon by introducing God's command for all people everywhere to repent because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed, having given assurance of this by raising Him from the dead.

Historically, Athens at this time was the intellectual capital of the Roman world, dominated by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Epicureans denied divine involvement in human affairs and dismissed a future judgment or resurrection. Stoics, while acknowledging a divine principle, believed in the transmigration of the soul but not a bodily resurrection. Both worldviews were antithetical to the Christian doctrine of a bodily resurrection and a personal, imminent judgment. Paul's message directly confronted these deeply held philosophical positions, especially his assertion of Jesus' bodily resurrection, which was often viewed as folly or utterly impossible by many Greeks. This verse therefore captures the immediate, often negative, reaction of those whose rationalist philosophies were challenged by the supernatural claim of the resurrection.

Acts 17 33 Word analysis

• Καὶ (kai): "And," "Also," "Even." A conjunction indicating continuation or addition. Here, it signifies the immediate result or transition following Paul's conclusion.
• οὕτως (houtōs): "Thus," "So," "In this manner." It points to the direct consequence of Paul's preceding words, specifically the doctrine of the resurrection (v. 31), which was the tipping point for many. It suggests the manner of their response.
• ὁ Παῦλος (ho Paulos): "Paul." The apostle, who was delivering the discourse.
• ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen): From exerchomai (ἐξέρχομαι), meaning "he came out," "went forth," or "departed." In this context, it implies Paul himself left. However, due to the following words, it refers to his departure from the presence of some, indicating the conclusion of the public assembly for that group.
• ἐκ (ek): "Out of," "from." A preposition indicating origin or source.
• μέσου (mesou): From mesos (μέσος), meaning "middle," "midst." Refers to the location: out from the very center or presence of the gathered crowd.
• αὐτῶν (autōn): "Their," "them." The pronoun refers to the audience on the Areopagus, specifically those who were uncomfortable or disbelieving concerning the resurrection.
• οὕτως ὁ Παῦλος ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν (houtōs ho Paulos exēlthen ek mesou autōn): "So Paul departed from their midst." This phrase denotes the physical disengagement or dispersal of the assembly from the speaker. It suggests the formal conclusion of the address, with some walking away entirely from Paul's presence due to his message. It marks the moment of division, separating those who were receptive or curious from those who were outright dismissive and chose to leave.

Acts 17 33 Bonus section

The verb exēlthen (departed) for Paul could be interpreted as Paul physically leaving the assembly or the assembly dispersing, but in light of Acts 17:34 ("some men joined him and believed"), it likely means that Paul concluded his speech and was leaving the "midst" of the main group that had gathered. The act of "departing from their midst" implies a clear break in the discussion for this group, an unwillingness to hear more or consider what was said. This outcome resonates with Christ's teaching that many are called but few are chosen, or that the seed falls on different types of soil, producing varying degrees of receptivity, including some falling on hardened ground and bearing no fruit. It emphasizes that human freedom of will plays a part in response to divine truth.

Acts 17 33 Commentary

Acts 17:33 serves as a pivotal moment marking the varied and often predictable human responses to the profound truth of the Gospel. Following Paul's bold proclamation of Jesus' bodily resurrection, the doctrine proved to be a stumbling block for many Athenian intellectuals. For the Epicureans, it was irrational, as they believed the soul dissolved at death. For the Stoics, while perhaps open to a continued existence of the soul, the idea of a bodily resurrection was abhorrent or ludicrous. The departure of "some" signifies their clear rejection; they chose to disengage rather than contemplate the radical claims that challenged their philosophical frameworks and comfortable worldview. This immediate secession demonstrates the divisive nature of the Gospel message, particularly when it confronts entrenched beliefs. It shows that preaching the unadulterated truth will always result in some turning away, illustrating the wisdom of God often appears foolishness to human intellect. Despite this immediate negative response, the verse also subtly sets the stage for the positive responses in the subsequent verse (v. 34), highlighting that God's Word never returns empty, even in intellectual strongholds. It offers a crucial lesson for evangelism: not everyone will accept the truth, especially truths that demand radical changes in perspective and repentance.