King James Version

What Does Acts 17:18 Mean?

Acts 17:18 in the King James Version says “Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Then 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

Acts 17:18 · KJV


Context

16

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

17

Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

18

Then 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

19

And 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

20

For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean .


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him—Paul engaged Athens' two dominant philosophical schools. The Epicureans (Ἐπικούρειοι) followed Epicurus (341-270 BC), denying divine providence and seeking pleasure as life's goal. The Stoics (Στωϊκοί) emphasized fate, duty, and pantheistic divine reason permeating nature. Both rejected bodily resurrection as absurd.

What will this babbler say? (σπερμολόγος)—Literally "seed-picker," a contemptuous Athens street slang for scavengers who picked up scraps, thus an intellectual charlatan who gathers others' ideas without understanding. A setter forth of strange gods (ξένων δαιμονίων)—The same charge leveled against Socrates in 399 BC. Ironically, they misunderstood Jesus, and the resurrection (Ἰησοῦν καὶ τὴν Ἀνάστασιν) as two foreign deities, mistaking anastasis (resurrection) for a goddess' name.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul arrived in Athens around AD 50-51 during his second missionary journey. Athens, though past its political peak, remained the philosophical capital of the Roman world. The Areopagus (Mars Hill) was both a location and the council that regulated religious teaching. Paul's proclamation of bodily resurrection directly contradicted both Epicurean materialism and Stoic cyclical cosmology.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's engagement with hostile intellectuals model speaking truth to cultural elites who mock the gospel?
  2. Why is bodily resurrection (not just spiritual immortality) essential to Christian hope—and why does secular philosophy find it offensive?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 35 words
τινες1 of 35

certain

G5100

some or any person or object

δέ2 of 35

Then

G1161

but, and, etc

τῶν3 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἐπικουρείων4 of 35

of the Epicureans

G1946

an epicurean or follower of epicurus

καὶ5 of 35

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῶν6 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Στωϊκῶν7 of 35

of the Stoicks

G4770

a "stoic" (as occupying a particular porch in athens), i.e., adherent of a certin philosophy

φιλοσόφων8 of 35

philosophers

G5386

fond of wise things, i.e., a "philosopher"

συνέβαλλον9 of 35

encountered

G4820

to combine, i.e., (in speaking) to converse, consult, dispute, (mentally) to consider, (by implication) to aid, (personally) to join, attack

αὐτοῖς10 of 35

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ11 of 35

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τινες12 of 35

certain

G5100

some or any person or object

λέγειν13 of 35

said

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Τί14 of 35

What

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἂν15 of 35

will

G302

whatsoever

θέλοι16 of 35
G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

17 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σπερμολόγος18 of 35

babbler

G4691

a seed-picker (as the crow), i.e., (figuratively) a sponger, loafer (specially, a gossip or trifler in talk)

οὗτος19 of 35

this

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

λέγειν20 of 35

said

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

οἱ21 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δέ22 of 35

Then

G1161

but, and, etc

Ξένων23 of 35

of strange

G3581

foreign (literally, alien, or figuratively, novel); by implication, a guest or (vice-versa) entertainer

δαιμονίων24 of 35

gods

G1140

a daemonic being; by extension a deity

δοκεῖ25 of 35

some He seemeth

G1380

compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)

καταγγελεὺς26 of 35

a setter forth

G2604

a proclaimer

εἶναι27 of 35

to be

G1511

to exist

ὅτι28 of 35

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

τὸν29 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦν30 of 35

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

καὶ31 of 35

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν32 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνάστασιν33 of 35

the resurrection

G386

a standing up again, i.e., (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (mor

αὐτοῖς34 of 35

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

εὐηγγελίζετο35 of 35

he preached

G2097

to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 17:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 17:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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