Acts 17:18
What does Acts 17:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 17:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 17:18 means
Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encounter Paul. Some deride him as a “babbler,” a scavenger of secondhand ideas; others suspect he introduces foreign divinities because he preaches “Jesus and the resurrection.” The message is misunderstood through philosophical lenses—perhaps taking “resurrection” as a deity. Yet even misinterpretation opens a door. The gospel confronts diverse worldviews: Epicureans prized pleasure and detachment; Stoics valued reason and fate. Both stumbled over a personal God who raises the dead and rules history through His appointed man. Paul’s clarity about Jesus and the resurrection becomes the stumbling stone and the invitation to a formal hearing.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And some of those who were supporters of the theories of the Epicureans and the Stoics, had a meeting with him. And some said, What is this talker of foolish words saying? And others, He seems to be a preacher of strange gods: because he was preaching of Jesus and his coming back from the dead.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And certain of the Epicurean and of the Stoic philosophers, were meeting together to see him, and some were saying, `What would this seed picker wish to say?' and others, `Of strange demons he doth seem to be an announcer;' because Jesus and the rising again he did proclaim to them as good news,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics disputed with him. And some said: What is it that this word sower would say? But others: He seemeth to be a setter forth of new gods. Because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But 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].
Context
Verse 18 records first contact with Athenian philosophers in the marketplace conversations mentioned in verse 17. Their skepticism provokes a next step: bringing Paul to the Areopagus to explain his “new teaching” (verses 19–20). Luke then comments on Athenian and resident foreigners’ preoccupation with novelty (verse 21), which frames their curiosity. This context leads into Paul’s address (verses 22–31), where he will correct misunderstandings by beginning with creation and providence, confronting idolatry, and culminating in the resurrection of Jesus as appointed Judge.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 26:23
how that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.
- 1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.
- Acts 6:9
But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue calledthe synagogueof the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
- Proverbs 23:9
Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
- Mark 9:14
And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them.
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