Acts 17:34
What does Acts 17:34 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 17:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 17:34 means
Not all scoff or postpone. Certain people cling to Paul and believe, among them Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, along with others. God gathers a small but significant firstfruits in Athens—even a member of the Areopagus council. The gospel penetrates intellectual centers and reaches both men and women. Numbers are not emphasized; names are, reminding us that salvation is personal. Mixed reactions do not negate true conversion; they frame it. Where the resurrection is preached, some will mock, some will wait, but some will believe. From such beginnings, the Lord builds His church in unlikely places.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But some men gave him their support: among whom was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and certain men having cleaved to him, did believe, among whom <FI>is<Fi> also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman, by name Damaris, and others with them.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But certain men, adhering to him, did believe: among whom was also Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But some men joining themselves to him believed; among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman by name Damaris, and others with them.
Context
This final verse provides the positive counterpoint to the mockery and deferral in verse 32 and the formal close in verse 33. It names believers from the Areopagus circle and beyond, demonstrating that Paul’s contextualized proclamation bore fruit in Athens. With this, the chapter ends, having traced the gospel’s advance through Thessalonica’s turmoil, Berea’s noble searching, and Athens’ philosophical arena. The pattern of varied responses—opposition, inquiry, and faith—prepares readers for ongoing mission in the chapters that follow.
v.33Thus Paul went out from among them.
v.34This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 19:38
And after these things Joseph of Arimathæa, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took away his body.
- John 7:48
Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?
- Isaiah 55:10
For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
- Matthew 20:16
So the last shall be first, and the first last.
- Acts 17:4
And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
- Acts 13:48
And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
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