Acts 17:18
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.
Original Language Analysis
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Στωϊκῶν
of the Stoicks
G4770
Στωϊκῶν
of the Stoicks
Strong's:
G4770
Word #:
7 of 35
a "stoic" (as occupying a particular porch in athens), i.e., adherent of a certin philosophy
συνέβαλλον
encountered
G4820
συνέβαλλον
encountered
Strong's:
G4820
Word #:
9 of 35
to combine, i.e., (in speaking) to converse, consult, dispute, (mentally) to consider, (by implication) to aid, (personally) to join, attack
αὐτοῖς
him
G846
αὐτοῖς
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 35
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγειν
said
G3004
λέγειν
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
13 of 35
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Τί
What
G5101
Τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
14 of 35
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
θέλοι
G2309
θέλοι
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
16 of 35
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπερμολόγος
babbler
G4691
σπερμολόγος
babbler
Strong's:
G4691
Word #:
18 of 35
a seed-picker (as the crow), i.e., (figuratively) a sponger, loafer (specially, a gossip or trifler in talk)
οὗτος
this
G3778
οὗτος
this
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
19 of 35
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
λέγειν
said
G3004
λέγειν
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
20 of 35
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ξένων
of strange
G3581
Ξένων
of strange
Strong's:
G3581
Word #:
23 of 35
foreign (literally, alien, or figuratively, novel); by implication, a guest or (vice-versa) entertainer
δοκεῖ
some He seemeth
G1380
δοκεῖ
some He seemeth
Strong's:
G1380
Word #:
25 of 35
compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
28 of 35
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
30 of 35
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
31 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
32 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνάστασιν
the resurrection
G386
ἀνάστασιν
the resurrection
Strong's:
G386
Word #:
33 of 35
a standing up again, i.e., (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (mor
Cross References
Acts 4:2Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.Luke 11:53And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:Colossians 2:8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.Mark 9:14And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.1 Corinthians 4:10We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's engagement with hostile intellectuals model speaking truth to cultural elites who mock the gospel?
- Why is bodily resurrection (not just spiritual immortality) essential to Christian hope—and why does secular philosophy find it offensive?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.