Acts 17:19

Acts 17:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
• New International Version (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?
• English Standard Version (ESV)And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
• New King James Version (NKJV)And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?

Context of Acts 17:19

17He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. 18He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. 20“You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” 21(It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.)

Acts 17:19 word by word

Ἐπιλαβόμενοί τε αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἄρειον πάγον ἤγαγον λέγοντες· δυνάμεθα γνῶναι τίς ἡ καινὴ αὕτη ἡ ὑπὸ σοῦ λαλουμένη διδαχή;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andτεte · and/bothG5037
• they tookἐπιλαμβάνωepilambanomai · to catchG1949
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• and brought himἄγωagō · to bringG71
• untoἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• AreopagusἌρειος ΠάγοςAreios Pagos · AreopagusG697
• sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Mayδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
• we knowγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• newκαινόςkainos · newG2537
• doctrineδιδαχήdidachē · teachingG1322
• whereofὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
• thouσύsu · youG4771
• speakestλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980

Cross-references for Acts 17:19

• Acts 17:22So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way,
• Acts 17:20“You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.”
• Acts 24:24A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.
• Acts 25:22“I’d like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa said. And Festus replied, “You will—tomorrow!”
• Acts 26:1Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.” So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense:
• Matthew 10:18You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.
• Mark 1:27Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!”
• John 13:34So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
• 1 John 2:7Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before.

Commentaries on Acts 17:19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19They took him, and brought him unto Areopagus - The Areopagus was a hill not far from the Acropolis, already described, where the supreme court of justice was held; one of the most sacred and reputable courts that had ever existed in the Gentile world. It had its name, , Areopagus, or the Hill of Mars, or Ares, from the circumstance, according to poetic fiction, of Mars being tried there, by a court of twelve gods, for the murder of Halirrhothius, son of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19And brought him unto Areopagus - Margin, or “Mars‘ hill.” This was the place or court in which the Areopagites, the celebrated supreme judges of Athens, assembled. It was on a hill almost in the middle of the city; but nothing now remains by which we can determine the form or construction of the tribunal. The hill is almost entirely a mass of stone, and is not easily accessible, its sides being steep and abrupt. On many accounts this was the most…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 17:19

• Areopagus
• Athens
• Curiosity
• Paul

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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