Acts 17:20

For thou bringest certaine strange things to our eares: we would know therefore what these things meane.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

"For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean."
- New American Standard Version (1995)

For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
- American Standard Version (1901)

For you seem to us to say strange things, and we have a desire to get the sense of them.
- Basic English Bible

For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears. We wish therefore to know what these things may mean.
- Darby Bible

For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears; we would know therefore what these things mean.
- Webster's Bible

For the things you are saying sound strange to us. We should therefore like to be told exactly what they mean."
- Weymouth Bible

For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean."
- World English Bible

For thou bringist ynne summe newe thingis to oure eeris; therfor we wolen wite, what these thingis wolen be.
- Wycliffe Bible

for certain strange things thou dost bring to our ears? we wish, then, to know what these things would wish to be;'
- Youngs Literal Bible

Wesley's Notes for Acts 17:20

17:18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosopher - The Epicureans entirely denied a providence, and held the world to be the effect of mere chance; asserting sensual pleasure to be man's chief good, and that the soul and body died together. The Stoics held, that matter was eternal; that all things were governed by irresistible fate; that virtue was its own sufficient reward, and vice its own sufficient punishment. It is easy to see, how happily the apostle levels his discourse at some of the most important errors of each, while, without expressly attacking either, he gives a plain summary of his own religious principles. What would this babbler say? - Such is the language of natural reason, full of, and satisfied with itself. Yet even here St. Paul had some fruit; though nowhere less than at Athens. And no wonder, since this city was a seminary of philosophers, who have ever been the pest of true religion. He seemeth to be a proclaimer - This he returns upon them at the 23d verse; #Acts 17:23| of strange gods - Such as are not known even at Athens. Because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection - A god and a goddess. And as stupid as this mistake was, it is the less to be wondered at, since the Athenians might as well count the resurrection a deity, as shame, famine, and many others.

17:19 The Areopagus, or hill of Mars, (dedicated to Mars, the heathen god of war,) was the place where the Athenians held their supreme court of judicature. But it does not appear he was carried thither as a criminal. The original number of its judges was twelve; but afterward it increased to three hundred. These were generally men of the greatest families in Athens, and were famed for justice and integrity.

17:21 And the strangers sojourning there - And catching the distemper of them. Some new thing - The Greek word signifies some newer thing. New things quickly grew cheap, and they wanted those that were newer still.

17:22 Then Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus - An ample theatre; said - Giving them a lecture of natural divinity, with admirable wisdom, acuteness, fulness, and courtesy. They inquire after new things: Paul in his divinely philosophical discourse, begins with the first, and goes on to the last things, both which were new things to them. He points out the origin and the end of all things, concerning which they had so many disputes, and equally refutes both the Epicurean and Stoic. I perceive - With what clearness and freedom does he speak! Paul against Athens!