New King James Version
Acts 17:32
32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.”
Acts 17:32 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
- New International Version (NIV)When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about this."
- New Living Translation (NLT)When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.”
Context of Acts 17:32
30Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” 33So Paul departed from among them. 34However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Read all of Acts 17Acts 17:32 word by word
Ἀκούσαντες δὲ ἀνάστασιν νεκρῶν οἱ μὲν ἐχλεύαζον, οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· ἀκουσόμεθά σου περὶ τούτου καὶ πάλιν.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andδέde · thenG1161
- when they heardἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
- of the resurrectionἀνάστασιςanastasis · resurrectionG386
- of the deadνεκρόςnekros · deadG3498
- someὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- mockedχλευάζωchleuazō · to sneerG5512
- saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- theeσύsu · youG4771
- againπάλινpalin · againG3825
- ofπερίperi · aboutG4012
- thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
Cross-references for Acts 17:32
- Acts 17:18Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
- Acts 2:13Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”
- Acts 13:41‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”
- Acts 25:19but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
- Acts 26:8Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
- Genesis 19:14So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.
- 2 Chronicles 30:9For if you return to the Lord, your brethren and your children will be treated with compassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may come back to this land; for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.”
- 2 Chronicles 36:16But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.
- Luke 22:63Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him.
- Luke 23:11Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate.
- 1 Corinthians 1:23but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
- 1 Corinthians 4:10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!
- Hebrews 11:36Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
- Hebrews 13:13Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
- Acts 24:25Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”
- Luke 14:18But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’
Commentaries on Acts 17:32
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 32When they heard of the resurrection, etc. - Paul undoubtedly had not finished his discourse: it is likely that he was about to have proclaimed salvation through Christ crucified; but, on hearing of the resurrection of the body, the assembly instantly broke up; the Epicureans mocking, , began to laugh; and the Stoics saying they would take another opportunity to hear him on that subject. And thus the assembly became dissolved before the apostle had time to…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 32Some mocked - Some of the philosophers derided him. The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead was believed by none of the Greeks; it seemed incredible; and they regarded it as so absurd as not to admit of an argument, It has nor been uncommon for even professed philosophers to mock at the doctrines of religion, and to meet the arguments of Christianity with a sneer. The Epicureans particularly would be likely to deride this, as they denied altogether…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 32-34Verses 32-34 The apostle was treated with more outward civility at Athens than in some other places; but none more despised his doctrine, or treated it with more indifference. Of all subjects, that which deserves the most attention gains the least. But those who scorn, will have to bear the consequences, and the word will never be useless. Some will be found, who cleave to the Lord, and listen to his faithful servants. Considering the judgement to come…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 32The Athenians listened carefully to Paul until he spoke about the resurrection of the dead (17:31). At that point, some began to laugh and mock him. To Greek listeners, the idea of resurrection seemed foolish (see 1 Corinthians 15:12–19). In a similar way, the Jews in Jerusalem listened to Paul until he spoke about God accepting the Gentiles (Acts 22:22). Then they also rejected his message. These examples show how the message of the good news can offend…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 32-3432-34. when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked--As the Greek religion was but the glorification of the present life, by the worship of all its most beauteous forms, the Resurrection, which presupposes the vanity of the present life, and is nothing but life out of the death of all that sin has blighted, could have no charm for the true Greek. It gave the death blow to his fundamental and most cherished ideas; nor until these were seen…Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 17:32
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries