Acts 17:32

“When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, etc.] Of a certain man that the apostle said God had raised from the dead, though they knew not who he was: some mocked; at him, and at the doctrine he preached: these very likely were of the Epicurean sect, who disbelieved a future state; though, as Tertullian observes f891, the doctrine of the resurrection was denied by every sect of the philosophers: it is a doctrine of pure revelation, and what the light of nature never taught men, and by which men being only guided, have declared against, and have treated it with the utmost ridicule and contempt. Pliny f892 reckons it, among childish fancies, and calls it vanity, and downright madness to…”

“when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked--As the Greek religion was but the glorification of the present life, by the worship of all its most beauteous forms, the Resurrection, which presupposes the vanity of the present life, and is nothing but life out of the death of all that sin has blighted, could have no charm for the true Greek. It gave the death blow to his fundamental and most cherished ideas; nor until these were seen to be false and fatal could the Resurrection, and the Gospel of which it was a primary doctrine, seem otherwise than ridiculous. others said, We will hear thee again of this--"an idle compliment to Paul and an opiate to their consciences, such as…”

“Some mocked - Some of the philosophers derided him. The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead was believed by none of the Greeks; it seemed incredible; and they regarded it as so absurd as not to admit of an argument, It has nor been uncommon for even professed philosophers to mock at the doctrines of religion, and to meet the arguments of Christianity with a sneer. The Epicureans particularly would be likely to deride this, as they denied altogether any future state. It is not improbable that this derision by the Epicureans produced such a disturbance as to break off Paul’s discourse, as that of Stephen had been by the clamor of the Jews, Acts 7:54. And others said - Probably some of the…”

“Some mocked - Interrupting him thereby. They took offence at that which is the principal motive of faith, from the pride of reason. And having once stumbled at this, they rejected all the rest. Acts 17:33”

“17:32 The Athenians listened carefully until Paul spoke of the resurrection of the dead (17:31); at that point some laughed or mocked, for the notion of resurrection was foolish to Greek ears (see 1 Cor 15:12-19). Similarly, the Jews in Jerusalem later listened carefully to Paul until he mentioned God’s acceptance of the Gentiles (Acts 22:22). These are examples of how the message of Good News can offend people because of their prejudices (see 1 Cor 1:20-25).”

“some: Act 17:18, Act 2:13, Act 13:41, Act 25:19, Act 26:8, Act 26:24, Act 26:25; Gen 19:14; Ch2 30:9-11, Ch2 36:16; Luk 22:63, Luk 23:11, Luk 23:36; Co1 1:23, Co1 4:10; Heb 11:36, Heb 13:13 We will: Act 24:25; Luk 14:18; Co2 6:2; Heb 3:7, Heb 3:8 Acts 17:34”