King James Version

What Does Acts 17:23 Mean?

Acts 17:23 in the King James Version says “For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefor... — study this verse from Acts chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

For 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

Acts 17:23 · KJV


Context

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.)

22

Then 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

23

For 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

24

God that made the world and all things therein , seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25

Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Paul's Mars Hill address (Areopagus sermon) reaches its pivotal moment. The Greek sebasmata (σεβάσματα, devotions/objects of worship) reveals Athens's religious syncretism—altars to every conceivable deity, including one marked agnōstō theō (ἀγνώστῳ θεῷ, 'to an unknown god'). Historical sources (Pausanias, Philostratus) confirm such altars existed to appease any overlooked deity.

Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. Paul's rhetorical masterstroke: agnoountes (ἀγνοοῦντες, ignorantly/unknowingly) wordplays with agnōstō (unknown). Their acknowledged ignorance becomes the gospel's entry point—the God they grope for in darkness is the Creator who reveals Himself. This models contextualized evangelism: finding redemptive analogies in pagan culture without compromising biblical truth.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul spoke at the Areopagus (c. AD 50-51), Athens's supreme court and philosophical forum, during his second missionary journey. The city boasted more idols than people (Petronius). Stoic and Epicurean philosophers (v. 18) dominated intellectual life. Such 'unknown god' altars likely originated from a plague relief legend where Epimenides erected altars to unnamed deities.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's approach to Athenian culture balance cultural engagement with theological confrontation?
  2. Where do you see modern 'altars to unknown gods'—spiritual hunger seeking the true God without revelation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
διερχόμενος1 of 23

as I passed by

G1330

to traverse (literally)

γὰρ2 of 23

For

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

καὶ3 of 23

and

G2532

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

ἀναθεωρῶν4 of 23

beheld

G333

to look again (i.e., attentively) at (literally or figuratively)

τὰ5 of 23
G3588

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

σεβάσματα6 of 23

devotions

G4574

something adored, i.e., an object of worship (god, altar, etc)

ὑμῶν7 of 23

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

εὗρον8 of 23

I found

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

καὶ9 of 23

and

G2532

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

βωμὸν10 of 23

an altar

G1041

properly, a stand, i.e., (specially) an altar

ἐν11 of 23

with this

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὃν12 of 23

Whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐπεγέγραπτο13 of 23

inscription

G1924

to inscribe (physically or mentally)

Ἀγνώστῳ14 of 23

TO THE UNKNOWN

G57

unknown

θεῷ15 of 23

GOD

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ὃν16 of 23

Whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὖν17 of 23

therefore

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ἀγνοοῦντες18 of 23

ye ignorantly

G50

not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination)

εὐσεβεῖτε19 of 23

worship

G2151

to be pious, i.e., (towards god) to worship, or (towards parents) to respect (support)

τοῦτον20 of 23

him

G5126

this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)

ἐγὼ21 of 23

I

G1473

i, me

καταγγέλλω22 of 23

declare

G2605

to proclaim, promulgate

ὑμῖν23 of 23

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you


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 17:23 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 17:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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