Acts 17:24
What does Acts 17:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 17:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 17:24 means
Paul begins with God as Creator and Lord of heaven and earth. If God made the world and everything in it, He cannot be confined to temples built by human hands. This corrects both pagan and even some Jewish misconceptions about locating deity. The true God transcends sacred spaces; He rules over all creation. Worship, then, is not about housing God but honoring Him as sovereign Maker. By starting at creation, Paul provides common ground with his audience and dismantles the logic of idolatry. The One who fashioned all things cannot be reduced to a local shrine or crafted image.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
KJV
King James Version · 1611God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The God who made the earth and everything in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, is not housed in buildings made with hands;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`God, who did make the world, and all things in it, this One, of heaven and of earth being Lord, in temples made with hands doth not dwell,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752God, who made the world and all things therein, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890TheGod who has made the world and all things which are in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands,
Context
Following the “Unknown God” bridge (verse 23), verse 24 opens the theological core of Paul’s speech. He asserts God’s universal sovereignty and independence from temples. Verse 25 will stress God’s self-sufficiency and generosity, and verses 26–28 will develop His providence over nations and His nearness to humanity. This line of reasoning leads to the conclusion in verse 29 that images are unworthy depictions of deity and prepares for the call to repent given the coming judgment announced in verses 30–31.
v.23For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you.
v.24This passage
v.25neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 3:4
For every house is builded by some one; but he that built all things is God.
- Daniel 4:35
and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
- Psalms 115:16
The heavens are the heavens of Jehovah; But the earth hath he given to the children of men.
- Acts 4:24
And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
- Genesis 14:19
And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth:
- Hebrews 1:2
hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 17
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 17.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About God's Omnipresence
God is everywhere at all times, a comforting and challenging truth for believers.
Topic
Bible Verses About Justice
God’s perfect character and righteous standards guide all justice, which we are called to pursue in our lives and communities.
What the Bible says about…