Acts 17:31
What does Acts 17:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 17:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 17:31 means
Paul provides the reason for repentance: God has appointed a day to judge the world in righteousness by the man He has ordained, giving assurance to all by raising Him from the dead. Judgment is certain, just, and personal—carried out by one man whom God has chosen. The resurrection functions as public proof of Jesus’ identity and future role. This proclamation confronts Athens’ philosophies with a divinely fixed day and a risen Judge. The gospel is not merely ideas; it is news about God’s acts and our accountability. Christ’s resurrection guarantees both salvation for believers and judgment for the unrepentant.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because a day has been fixed in which all the world will be judged in righteousness by the man who has been marked out by him for this work; of which he has given a sign to all men by giving him back from the dead.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because He did set a day in which He is about to judge the world in righteousness, by a man whom He did ordain, having given assurance to all, having raised him out of the dead.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in equity, by the man whom he hath appointed: giving faith to all, by raising him up from the dead.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890because he has set a day in which he is going to judge the habitable earth in righteousness by [the] man whom he has appointed, giving the proof [of it] to all [in] having raised him from among [the] dead.
Context
Verse 31 completes the Areopagus sermon’s logic: from creation and providence (verses 24–28) to the folly of idols (verse 29), to the command to repent (verse 30), and now to the assurance of judgment grounded in Jesus’ resurrection. The speech has reached its peak, and the audience’s reactions immediately follow. Verse 32 records mockery and tentative interest. Verse 33 notes Paul’s departure. Verse 34 highlights that some nevertheless believe, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, demonstrating that even in a skeptical environment, the word bears fruit.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 3:7
but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
- Jude 1:14
And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,
- Acts 3:15
and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
- Romans 2:16
in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
- Matthew 25:31
But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory:
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