Acts 17:17-19

International Children’s Bible

¹⁷In the synagogue, he talked with the Jews and the Greeks who worshiped the true God. He also talked every day with people in the marketplace.

¹⁸Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers^[a] argued with him. Some of them said, “This man doesn’t know what he is talking about. What is he trying to say?” Paul was telling them the Good News of Jesus’ rising from death. They said, “He seems to be telling us about some other gods.” ¹⁹They got Paul and took him to a meeting of the Areopagus.^[b] They said, “Please explain to us this new idea that you have been teaching.

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Footnotes

17:18 Epicurean and Stoic philosophers Philosophers were those who searched for truth. Epicureans believed that pleasures, especially pleasures of the mind, were the goal of life. Stoics believed that life should be without feelings of joy or grief.
17:19 Areopagus A council or group of important leaders in Athens. They were like judges.

Acts 17:17-19

English Standard Version

¹⁷So ^(A)he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, ^(B)“What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because ^(C)he was preaching ^(D)Jesus and the resurrection. ¹⁹And they took him and brought him to ^(E)the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this ^(F)new teaching is that you are presenting?

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Acts 17:17-19

New International Version

¹⁷So he reasoned in the synagogue^(A) with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. ¹⁸A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news^(B) about Jesus and the resurrection.^(C) ¹⁹Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus,^(D) where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching^(E) is that you are presenting?