Darby Bible
Acts 17:20
20For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears. We wish therefore to know what these things may mean.
Acts 17:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
- New International Version (NIV)You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean."
- New King James Version (NKJV)For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.”
Context of Acts 17:20
18But some also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers attacked him. And some said, What would this chatterer say? and some, He seems to be an announcer of foreign demons, because he announced the glad tidings of Jesus and the resurrection [to them]. 19And having taken hold on him they brought [him] to Areopagus, saying, Might we know what this new doctrine which is spoken by thee [is]? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears. We wish therefore to know what these things may mean. 21Now all [the] Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else than to tell and to hear the news. 22And Paul standing in the midst of Areopagus said, Athenians, in every way I see you given up to demon worship;
Read all of Acts 17Acts 17:20 word by word
ξενίζοντα γάρ τινα εἰσφέρεις εἰς τὰς ἀκοὰς ἡμῶν· βουλόμεθα οὖν γνῶναι τίνα θέλει ταῦτα εἶναι.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Acts 17:20
- Hosea 8:12I have prescribed unto him the manifold things of my law: they are counted [as] a strange thing.
- Matthew 19:23And Jesus said to his disciples, Verily I say unto you, A rich man shall with difficulty enter into the kingdom of the heavens;
- Mark 10:24And the disciples were amazed at his words. And Jesus again answering says to them, Children, how difficult it is that those who trust in riches should enter into the kingdom of God!
- John 6:60Many therefore of his disciples having heard [it] said, This word is hard; who can hear it?
- John 7:35The Jews therefore said to one another, Where is he about to go that we shall not find him? Is he about to go to the dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
- 1 Corinthians 1:18For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to us that are saved it is God's power.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14But [the] natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him; and he cannot know [them] because they are spiritually discerned;
- Hebrews 5:11Concerning whom we have much to say, and hard to be interpreted in speaking [of it], since ye are become dull in hearing.
- 1 Peter 4:4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with [them] to the same sink of corruption, speaking injuriously [of you];
- Acts 2:12And they were all amazed and in perplexity, saying one to another, What would this mean?
- Acts 10:17And as Peter doubted in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold also the men who were sent by Cornelius, having sought out the house of Simon, stood at the gate,
- Mark 9:10And they kept that saying, questioning among themselves, what rising from among [the] dead was.
Commentaries on Acts 17:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Thou 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Certain strange things - Literally, something pertaining to a foreign country or people. Here it means something unusual or remarkable - something different from what they had been accustomed to hear from their philosophers. What these things mean - We would understand more clearly what is affirmed respecting Jesus and the resurrection.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-21Verses 16-21 Athens was then famed for polite learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; but none are more childish and superstitious, more impious, or more credulous, than some persons, deemed eminent for learning and ability. It was wholly given to idolatry. The zealous advocate for the cause of Christ will be ready to plead for it in all companies, as occasion offers. Most of these learned men took no notice of Paul; but some, whose principles were the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-34In this chapter, we see Paul presented as a model witness for Christ, engaging the thinkers of his day and challenging them with the Christian message. Paul quoted writers his audience would be familiar with and showed the relevance of the gospel by dialoguing with them, critiquing their assumptions, and offering Jesus as a constructive alternative (see Colossians 1:28). Paul reminded these proud intellectuals that there is a living God to whom all human…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 18-2118-21. certain ... of the Epicureans--a well-known school of atheistic materialists, who taught that pleasure was the chief end of human existence; a principle which the more rational interpreted in a refined sense, while the sensual explained it in its coarser meaning. and of the Stoics--a celebrated school of severe and lofty pantheists, whose principle was that the universe was under the law of an iron necessity, the spirit of which was what is called…Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 17:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Acts 17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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