Teaching in Athens
Paul engages with the philosophers of Athens on Mars Hill, proclaiming the unknown God they worship as the Creator who raised Jesus from the dead.
Acts 17:16-34
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The Story
While Paul waited in Athens for Silas and Timothy, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols. He reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. Some said, 'What does this babbler wish to say?' Others said, 'He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities'—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. They brought him to the Areopagus (Mars Hill), saying, 'May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?'
Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: "To the unknown god." What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.'
He declared that the God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything—He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. From one man He made every nation to live on all the earth, determining their times and boundaries, that they should seek God and perhaps reach out and find Him. 'Yet He is actually not far from each one of us, for "In Him we live and move and have our being."'
Paul quoted their own poets to establish common ground, then turned to the gospel: 'Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human art. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.'
When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, 'We will hear you again about this.' Some men joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris.
Paul had met the philosophers on their own ground and pointed them beyond their vain speculations to the living God and His risen Son.
Paul Talks to Smart People
Kids Version
Paul went to a big city called Athens. This city had lots and lots of statues—statues of pretend gods everywhere! This made Paul sad because the people didn't know about the real God.
Paul went to the marketplace and started talking to people about Jesus. Some smart people called philosophers heard him. 'What is this guy talking about?' they wondered. They brought Paul to a special place called Mars Hill where people gave speeches.
'Tell us about this new teaching!' they said.
Paul was brave. He stood up in front of everyone and said, 'People of Athens, I can see you love to worship! As I walked around your city, I saw an altar with words that said "To the Unknown God." Well, I want to tell you about this God you don't know!'
Then Paul told them amazing things: 'The real God made the whole world and everything in it! He doesn't live in buildings made by people. He doesn't need anything from us—instead, He gives us everything! He gives us life and breath and all we have. God made every person on earth, and He's not far away. He's close to all of us!'
Paul continued, 'God wants everyone to know Him. He sent a special Man—Jesus—who came back to life after He died. This proves that Jesus will one day judge the world fairly.'
Some people laughed when Paul talked about someone coming back to life. But others wanted to hear more! And some people believed in Jesus that day, including a man named Dionysius and a woman named Damaris.
Paul showed us that we can tell anyone about Jesus—even really smart people who think they know everything. The real God is not made of stone or gold. He's alive, and He loves us!
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Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Acts 17:16-34 (KJV)
16Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. wholly: or, full of idols
17Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.
18Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. babbler: or, base fellow
19And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? Areopagus: or, Mars-hill: it was the highest court in Athens
20For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean .
21(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. Mars' hill: or, court of the Areopagites
23For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. devotions: or, gods that ye worship
24God that made the world and all things therein , seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31Because 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. hath given: or, offered faith
32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33So Paul departed from among them.
34Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Memory Verse
“Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. wholly: or, full of idols”
— Acts 17:16 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Teaching in Athens” in the Bible?
Paul engages with the philosophers of Athens on Mars Hill, proclaiming the unknown God they worship as the Creator who raised Jesus from the dead. This story is found in Acts 17:16-34.
Where is “Teaching in Athens” found in the Bible?
“Teaching in Athens” is found in Acts 17:16-34, in the book of Acts.
What can children learn from “Teaching in Athens”?
This story teaches children about Apologetics, Gospel to intellectuals, God as Creator, Resurrection, Cultural engagement. In Athens, a city full of statues of fake gods, Paul told the people about the real God who made everything and came back to life.