Acts 17:20
What does Acts 17:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 17:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 17:20 means
The Athenians acknowledge that Paul brings “strange things” to their ears and express a desire to understand what they mean. They are not yet convinced, but they are open to hearing an explanation. Curiosity is not faith, but it can be a God-given doorway. The gospel meets people where they are, including at the level of intellectual inquiry. Paul will not dodge their questions; he will interpret the unfamiliar by starting with truths they can grasp—Creation, providence, the nature of deity—and then move to what offends and saves: repentance and resurrection through Jesus.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For you seem to us to say strange things, and we have a desire to get the sense of them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for certain strange things thou dost bring to our ears? we wish, then, to know what these things would wish to be;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For thou bringest in certain new things to our ears. We would know therefore what these things mean.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears. We wish therefore to know what these things may mean.
Context
This request continues the Areopagus invitation begun in verse 19. Luke will now comment on the Athenian impulse toward novelty (verse 21), framing the audience’s mindset. That context explains both their initial engagement and their later mixed responses. Immediately after the aside, Paul begins his speech (verses 22–31), acknowledging their religiosity, using the “Unknown God” altar as a bridge, and declaring the Creator’s nature, humanity’s purpose, the folly of idols, God’s command to repent, and the assurance of judgment through the risen Jesus.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 10:17
Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate,
- 1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
- 1 Corinthians 1:23
but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;
- Hosea 8:12
I wrote for him the ten thousand things of my law; but they are counted as a strange thing.
- Mark 9:10
And they kept the saying, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean.
- Mark 10:24
And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
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