New Living Translation
Acts 17:32
32When 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.”
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 King James Version (NKJV)And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.”
Context of Acts 17:32
30“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” 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.” 33That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, 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 17:18He 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.”
- Acts 2:13But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
- Acts 13:41‘Look, you mockers, be amazed and die! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.’”
- Acts 25:19Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.
- Acts 26:8Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?
- Genesis 19:14So Lot rushed out to tell his daughters’ fiancés, “Quick, get out of the city! The Lord is about to destroy it.” But the young men thought he was only joking.
- 2 Chronicles 30:9“For if you return to the Lord, your relatives and your children will be treated mercifully by their captors, and they will be able to return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful. If you return to him, he will not continue to turn his face from you.”
- 2 Chronicles 36:16But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done.
- Luke 22:63The guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating him.
- Luke 23:11Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.
- 1 Corinthians 1:23So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.
- 1 Corinthians 4:10Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.
- Hebrews 11:36Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons.
- Hebrews 13:13So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore.
- Acts 24:25As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”
- Luke 14:18But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’
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
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