Acts 17:20 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 17:16-21

A scholar that has acquaintance, and is in love, with the learning of the ancients, would think he should be very happy if he were where Paul now was, at Athens, in the midst of the various sects of philosophers, and would have a great many curious questions to ask them, for the explication of the remains we have of the Athenian learning; but Paul, though bred a scholar, and an ingenious active man, does not make this any of his business at Athens. He has other work to mind: it is not the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 17:16-21

17:16-21 When Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was deeply vexed as he saw the whole city full of idols. He debated with the Jews and the worshippers in the synagogue and every day he talked in the city square with everyone he met. Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers took issue with him. Some of them said, "What would this gutter-sparrow of a man be saying?" Others said, "He seems to be the herald of strange divinities." This they said because he told the good news of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 17:20

For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears ,.... Strange doctrines and strange deities, such as they had never heard of before: we would know therefore what these things mean ; they desire he would explain these things to them, and let them know the rise, and ground, and nature, and end, and design of them. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:20

Thou bringest - strange things to our ears - The doctrine of the apostles was different from any they had ever heard: it was wholly spiritual and divine; thus it was strange: it was contrary to their customs and manners; and thus it was strange also. As it spoke much of the exaltation and glory of Jesus Christ, they supposed him to be a setter forth of strange gods: and, therefore, on the authority of the laws, which forbade the introduction of any new deities, or modes of worship, he was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

The cross of Christ in the metropolis of art and philosophy. There is a singular interest in this first encounter of the gospel with the art and philosophy of Athens, and it is instructive to note the attitude taken by the great preacher in the encounter. Whether St. Paul had artistic taste we have no means of knowing. But probably, as a devout Jew, seeing that sculpture was so largely employed in the images of the gods and the deified emperors, his eye would not have been trained to look... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

Paul at Athens. Paul stands in Athens, amidst the master-pieces of Greek art and the memorials of Greek wisdom. It is not admiration or aesthetic delight which is awakened in him, but moral indignation. Christianity is not opposed to art; but Christianity does not approve the worship of sensuous or ideal beauty apart from moral earnestness. In the true relation, religion absorbs art into itself; when art is substituted for religion, there is moral decay. Nor is Christianity hostile to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

Paul at Athens. Consider— I. The connection of the whole with THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY . The Greek mind evangelized. The function of Greek thought in the development of doctrine. The contrast between the gospel and philosophy. The step towards the conquest of the world. II. The illustration of THE APOSTOLIC METHOD . Adaptation of the truth to every class of mind. Difference of the preaching when the foundation of the Jewish Scriptures was for the time forsaken.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:18-21

Curiosity at the feet of Christ. In the company which gathered on Mars' Hill, to listen to the Christian teacher, we have a picture of curiosity sitting at the feet of Christ. For it is clear that this was not a court sitting to try a prisoner, but a chance company of citizens, wishing to hear what new and strange doctrine this visitor had brought them. I. THE CURIOSITY WHICH IS CONTEMPTUOUS . "What will this babbler say?" said some using the language of superciliousness.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:19-21

The passion for something new. Demosthenes said, in one of his speeches, "Tell me, is it all you care for, to go about up and down the market, asking each other, 'Is there any news?'" The restless inquisitiveness of the Athenian character had all along been proverbial. It did not alone distinguish the Athenians, though it gained a peculiar prominence in their case. It has returned upon man in such power, now that telegraphs and newspapers bind the nations together, that it may profitably... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:20

Strange things . ξενίζειν , in this use of it, means to act or play the foreigner, to imitate the manners and language and appearance of a foreigner ( ξένος ), just as ἰουδαίζειν ἐλληνίζειν αττικίζειν , etc., mean to Judaize, Hellenize, Atticize, etc. Here, then, the Athenians say that St. Paul's doctrines have a foreign air, do not lock like native Athenian speculations. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 17:16-21

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 17:16-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 17:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:16-34

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:18-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:20

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