King James Version

What Does Acts 17:19 Mean?

Acts 17:19 in the King James Version says “And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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”

Acts 17:19 · KJV

Context

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 .

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.)

Read Acts 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus (Ἄρειον Πάγον, Areion Pagon)—literally "Hill of Ares" (Mars Hill), the supreme court of Athens that handled religious and philosophical matters. This was not an arrest but an invitation, though Luke's language suggests formality.

May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? (καινὴ διδαχή, kainē didachē)—The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers (v.18) were genuinely curious about Paul's "strange things" (ξενίζοντα, xenizonta, v.20). The Athenians'' love of novelty (v.21) opened the door for Paul's masterful apologetic to pagan philosophy. What began as intellectual curiosity would become Christianity's most famous engagement with Greek thought, where Paul quotes their own poets (v.28) to establish common ground before proclaiming the Resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Areopagus council met on a rocky outcrop northwest of the Acropolis in Athens (circa AD 50-51). Named after Ares (Greek god of war, Roman Mars), it had jurisdiction over religious innovations. Athens was past its political prime but remained the intellectual center of the Roman world, filled with monuments to countless deities.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Paul use the Athenians' curiosity about "new doctrine" as an opportunity rather than viewing their skepticism as opposition?
  2. When sharing the gospel with intellectuals or skeptics, how can you establish common ground (as Paul did with Greek poets) before presenting Christ's exclusive claims?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
ἐπιλαβόμενοί1 of 20

“they took”

G1949

to seize (for help, injury, attainment, or any other purpose; literally or figuratively)

τε2 of 20

“And”

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

αὐτοῦ3 of 20

“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

ἐπὶ4 of 20

“unto”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸν5 of 20
G3588

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

Πάγον6 of 20

“Areopagus”

G697

rock of ares, a place in athens

Πάγον7 of 20

“Areopagus”

G697

rock of ares, a place in athens

ἤγαγον8 of 20

“and brought him”

G71

properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce

λέγοντες9 of 20

“saying”

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

Δυνάμεθα10 of 20

“May”

G1410

to be able or possible

γνῶναι11 of 20

“we know”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τίς12 of 20

“what”

G5101

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

ἡ13 of 20
G3588

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

καινὴ14 of 20

“new”

G2537

new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age

αὕτη15 of 20

“this”

G3778

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

ἡ16 of 20
G3588

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

ὑπὸ17 of 20

“whereof”

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

σοῦ18 of 20

“thou”

G4675

of thee, thy

λαλουμένη19 of 20

“speakest”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

διδαχή20 of 20

“doctrine”

G1322

instruction (the act or the matter)

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 17:19 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 17:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 1:27Acts 17:22Acts 24:24Acts 25:22Acts 17:20John 13:34

Places in This Verse

AreopagusHill · Modern: Areopagus · 37.97°N, 23.72°E3 verses across 1 book
View all places in Acts 17 →

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