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Acts 17:20

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 17:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
Acts 17:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him.
18And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
19And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by thee?
20For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21(Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.)
22And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that ye are very religious.
23For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears, etc.] Strange doctrines and strange deities, such as they had never heard of before: we would know therefore what these things mean; they desire he would explain these things to them, and let them know the rise, and ground, and nature, and end, and design of them.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Certain strange things - Literally, something pertaining to a foreign country or people. Here it means something unusual or remarkable - something different from what they had been accustomed to hear from their philosophers. What these things mean - We would understand more clearly what is affirmed respecting Jesus and the resurrection. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“strange: Hos 8:12; Mat 19:23-25; Mar 10:24-26; Joh 6:60, Joh 7:35, Joh 7:36; Co1 1:18, Co1 1:23; Co1 2:14; Heb 5:11; Pe1 4:4 what: Act 2:12, Act 10:17; Mar 9:10 Acts 17:21”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification