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Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/17-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/44_Act_17_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 17:23 - Paul Before the Areopagus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. 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So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. <a href="/nlt/acts/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. <a href="/esv/acts/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. <a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you. <a href="/blb/acts/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For passing through and beholding your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which had been inscribed: To an unknown God. Therefore whom you worship not knowing, Him I proclaim to you. <a href="/kjv/acts/17.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/acts/17.htm">New King James Version</a> for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: <a href="/nasb_/acts/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. <a href="/nasb/acts/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, &#8216TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.&#8217 Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. <a href="/nasb77/acts/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. <a href="/lsb/acts/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. <a href="/amp/acts/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now as I was going along and carefully looking at your objects of worship, I came to an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you already worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. <a href="/csb/acts/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. <a href="/hcsb/acts/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. <a href="/asv/acts/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> For 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. <a href="/cev/acts/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> As I was going through your city and looking at the things you worship, I found an altar with the words, "To an Unknown God." You worship this God, but you don't really know him. So I want to tell you about him. <a href="/erv/acts/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> For 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 set I forth unto you. <a href="/gwt/acts/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> As I was going through your city and looking closely at the objects you worship, I noticed an altar with this written on it: 'To an unknown god.' I'm telling you about the unknown god you worship. <a href="/gnt/acts/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> For as I walked through your city and looked at the places where you worship, I found an altar on which is written, 'To an Unknown God.' That which you worship, then, even though you do not know it, is what I now proclaim to you. <a href="/isv/acts/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> For as I was walking around and looking closely at the objects you worship, I even found an altar with this written on it: 'To an unknown god.' So I am telling you about the unknown object you worship. <a href="/msb/acts/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore Him whom you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you. <a href="/net/acts/17.htm">NET Bible</a> For as I went around and observed closely your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: 'To an unknown god.' Therefore what you worship without knowing it, this I proclaim to you. <a href="/nheb/acts/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For 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 you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you. <a href="/wbt/acts/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 to you. <a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For as I passed along and observed the things you worship, I found also an altar bearing the inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' "The Being, therefore, whom you, without knowing Him, revere, Him I now proclaim to you. <a href="/web/acts/17.htm">World English Bible</a> For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, I announce to you. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for passing through and contemplating your objects of worship, I also found an altar on which had been inscribed: To God—unknown; whom, therefore—not knowing—you worship, this One I announce to you. <a href="/blb/acts/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For passing through and beholding your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which had been inscribed: To an unknown God. Therefore whom you worship not knowing, Him I proclaim to you. <a href="/ylt/acts/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for passing through and contemplating your objects of worship, I found also an erection on which had been inscribed: To God -- unknown; whom, therefore -- not knowing -- ye do worship, this One I announce to you. <a href="/slt/acts/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For having passed by, and beholding your venerations, I found also an altar upon which was inscribed, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom not knowing therefore ye reverence, him I announce to you.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For passing by, and seeing your idols, I found an altar also, on which was written: To the unknown God. What therefore you worship, without knowing it, that I preach to you: <a href="/cpdv/acts/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For as I was passing by and noticing your idols, I also found an altar, on which was written: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this is what I am preaching to you: <a href="/nabre/acts/17.htm">New American Bible</a> For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines, I even discovered an altar inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’ What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For as I walked about, and viewed the house of your idols, I found an altar with this inscription, THIS IS THE ALTAR OF THE UNKNOWN GOD, whom therefore, while you know him not but yet worship, is the very one I am preaching to you. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “For as I was going around and beholding your temples, I found one altar on which it was written: “The Unknown God”; him therefore whom you do not know and yet worship, I proclaim to you.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For as I was passing through, and looking attentively at the objects of your worship, I discovered also an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I make known to you. <a href="/godbey/acts/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For going through, and seeing your devotions, I also found an altar on which it was superscribed, To THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore I now preach unto you Him whom you are ignorantly worshiping. <a href="/haweis/acts/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For as I walked about, and attentively viewed the objects of your worship, I found even an altar on which was this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you in ignorance adore, him I preach unto you. <a href="/mace/acts/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for considering, as I pass'd along, the deitys, which you adore, I met with an altar that had this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD, now that GOD whom you worship without knowing him, is the same that I denounce to you. <a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For as I passed along and observed the things you worship, I found also an altar bearing the inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' "The Being, therefore, whom you, without knowing Him, revere, Him I now proclaim to you. <a href="/worrell/acts/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> for, passing through, and considering your objects of worship, I found also an altar on which had been inscribed, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What, therefore, in ignorance ye worship, this I declare to you. <a href="/worsley/acts/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> for as I was passing along, and looking at what ye worshipped, I found an altar on which there was inscribed, "To the unknown God." Whom therefore ye worship unknown, Him do I declare unto you. <a href="/parallel/acts/17-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=5789" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm">Paul Before the Areopagus</a> 22Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. 23<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1330.htm" title="1330: dierchomenos (V-PPM/P-NMS) -- To pass through, spread (as a report). From dia and erchomai; to traverse.">as I walked around</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/333.htm" title="333: anatheōrōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To look at attentively, gaze at, consider. From ana and theoreo; to look again at.">examined</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4574.htm" title="4574: sebasmata (N-ANP) -- An object of worship or veneration. From sebazomai; something adored, i.e. An object of worship.">objects of worship,</a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heuron (V-AIA-1S) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">I even found</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1041.htm" title="1041: bōmon (N-AMS) -- An altar, platform; a slightly-elevated spot. From the base of basis; properly, a stand, i.e. an altar.">an altar</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hō (RelPro-DMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">with</a> <a href="/greek/1924.htm" title="1924: epegegrapto (V-LIM/P-3S) -- To write upon, inscribe, imprint a mark on. From epi and grapho; to inscribe.">this inscription:</a> <a href="/greek/57.htm" title="57: AGNŌSTŌ (Adj-DMS) -- Unknown, unknowable. Unknown.">TO AN UNKNOWN</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: THEŌ (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">GOD. </a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">Therefore</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: Ho (RelPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">what</a> <a href="/greek/2151.htm" title="2151: eusebeite (V-PIA-2P) -- To be dutiful, pious, show piety towards, worship. From eusebes; to be pious, i.e. to worship, or to respect.">you worship</a> <a href="/greek/50.htm" title="50: agnoountes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To do not know, be ignorant of, sometimes with the idea of willful ignorance. ">as something unknown,</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-ANS) -- This; he, she, it. "></a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/2605.htm" title="2605: katangellō (V-PIA-1S) -- To declare openly, proclaim, preach, laud, celebrate. From kata and the base of aggelos; to proclaim, promulgate.">now proclaim</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you.</a> 24The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a> You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a> All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ... <a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">Isaiah 45:20-21</a> Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save. / Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Jeremiah 10:3-5</a> For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.” <a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a> Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ... <a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a> The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/4-28.htm">Deuteronomy 4:28</a> And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. <a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a> Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word. <a href="/2_kings/17-29.htm">2 Kings 17:29-41</a> Nevertheless, the people of each nation continued to make their own gods in the cities where they had settled, and they set them up in the shrines that the people of Samaria had made on the high places. / The men of Babylon made Succoth-benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the men of Hamath made Ashima, / the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech the gods of Sepharvaim. ... <a href="/isaiah/40-18.htm">Isaiah 40:18-20</a> To whom will you liken God? To what image will you compare Him? / To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? / One lacking such an offering chooses wood that will not rot. He seeks a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple. <a href="/isaiah/42-8.htm">Isaiah 42:8</a> I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols. <a href="/isaiah/46-5.htm">Isaiah 46:5-7</a> To whom will you liken Me or count Me equal? To whom will you compare Me, that we should be alike? / They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles. <a href="/jeremiah/2-11.htm">Jeremiah 2:11</a> Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols. <a href="/jeremiah/16-20.htm">Jeremiah 16:20</a> Can man make gods for himself? Such are not gods!” <a href="/john/4-22.htm">John 4:22</a> You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I to you.devotions.<a href="/romans/1-23.htm">Romans 1:23-25</a> And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things… <a href="/1_corinthians/8-5.htm">1 Corinthians 8:5</a> For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)<a href="/2_thessalonians/2-4.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:4</a> Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.TO.<a href="/psalms/147-20.htm">Psalm 147:20</a> He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.<a href="/john/17-3.htm">John 17:3,25</a> And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent… <a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20-22,28</a> For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: … ignorantly.<a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30</a> And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:<a href="/psalms/50-21.htm">Psalm 50:21</a> These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.<a href="/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9</a> But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/11-51.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/matthew/13-28.htm">An</a> <a href="/acts/16-21.htm">Announce</a> <a href="/acts/2-2.htm">Bearing</a> <a href="/acts/17-16.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/acts/5-35.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/acts/17-19.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Contemplating</a> <a href="/acts/16-17.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/acts/17-13.htm">Found</a> <a href="/acts/3-17.htm">Ignorance</a> <a href="/joshua/20-5.htm">Ignorantly</a> <a href="/luke/2-5.htm">Inscribed</a> <a href="/john/19-20.htm">Inscription</a> <a href="/luke/21-17.htm">Objects</a> <a href="/acts/11-6.htm">Observed</a> <a href="/acts/17-1.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/acts/17-1.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/acts/17-3.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/malachi/4-2.htm">Revere</a> <a href="/acts/10-25.htm">Reverence</a> <a href="/micah/5-14.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/acts/17-21.htm">Something</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-6.htm">UNKNOWN</a> <a href="/acts/14-10.htm">Walked</a> <a href="/acts/17-22.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/9-13.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/colossians/4-7.htm">An</a> <a href="/acts/20-20.htm">Announce</a> <a href="/romans/2-15.htm">Bearing</a> <a href="/acts/22-9.htm">Beheld</a> <a href="/acts/21-25.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/daniel/7-8.htm">Contemplating</a> <a href="/acts/20-20.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/acts/18-2.htm">Found</a> <a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Ignorance</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-13.htm">Ignorantly</a> <a href="/revelation/13-1.htm">Inscribed</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-19.htm">Inscription</a> <a href="/romans/9-22.htm">Objects</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-10.htm">Observed</a> <a href="/acts/18-23.htm">Passed</a> <a href="/acts/18-23.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/acts/20-27.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-3.htm">Revere</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-21.htm">Reverence</a> <a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Shrines</a> <a href="/acts/17-25.htm">Something</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-2.htm">UNKNOWN</a> <a href="/acts/23-1.htm">Walked</a> <a href="/acts/18-13.htm">Worship</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 17</div>1. <a href="/acts/17-1.htm">Paul preaches at Thessalonica, where some believe,</a> 5. <a href="/acts/17-5.htm">and others persecute him.</a> 10. <a href="/acts/17-10.htm">He is sent to Berea, and preaches there.</a> 13. <a href="/acts/17-13.htm">Being persecuted by Jews from Thessalonica,</a> 16. <a href="/acts/17-16.htm">he comes to Athens, and disputes and preaches the living God, to them unknown;</a> 32. <a href="/acts/17-32.htm">whereby, though some mock, many are converted unto Christ.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship Paul is speaking to the people of Athens, a city known for its rich history in philosophy, art, and religion. The Athenians were polytheistic, worshiping a pantheon of gods and goddesses. The city was filled with temples, altars, and statues dedicated to various deities. Paul's approach here is observational and respectful, acknowledging their religious devotion while setting the stage for his message. This method of engaging with the culture is reminiscent of Jesus' approach in meeting people where they are.I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD The altar to an "unknown god" reflects the Athenians' desire to cover all bases in their worship, ensuring no deity was overlooked. This practice highlights their acknowledgment of the limitations of human understanding in comprehending the divine. Historically, such altars were erected during times of crisis or plague, when the people sought to appease any god they might have inadvertently offended. This concept of an "unknown god" provides Paul with a unique opportunity to introduce the God of Israel, who is both knowable and personal.Therefore what you worship as something unknown Paul uses the Athenians' own religious practices as a bridge to introduce the gospel. By acknowledging their worship of an unknown god, he connects their spiritual curiosity to the revelation of the true God. This approach is strategic, as it respects their existing beliefs while gently challenging them to consider a fuller understanding. It echoes the biblical theme of God revealing Himself to those who seek Him, as seen in <a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a>.I now proclaim to you Paul transitions from observation to proclamation, moving from understanding their context to delivering the message of Christ. This proclamation is not just an introduction to a new deity but an invitation to a relationship with the living God. It fulfills the Great Commission, as Paul shares the gospel with those who have not yet heard it. This moment is pivotal, as it marks the introduction of Christian theology to a predominantly pagan audience, emphasizing the universality of the gospel message.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle who is speaking in Athens, addressing the people about their religious practices and introducing them to the true God. 2. <a href="/topical/a/athens.htm">Athens</a> A prominent city in ancient Greece known for its rich history in philosophy, arts, and religion. It was a center of learning and culture during Paul's time. 3. <a href="/topical/a/altar_to_an_unknown_god.htm">Altar to an Unknown God</a> A physical altar in Athens that Paul uses as a starting point to introduce the Athenians to the God of the Bible. This altar signifies the Athenians' acknowledgment of their incomplete understanding of the divine. 4. <a href="/topical/a/areopagus.htm">Areopagus</a> The location where Paul delivers his speech. It was a place where philosophical discussions and legal matters were often debated. 5. <a href="/topical/a/athenian_philosophers.htm">Athenian Philosophers</a> The Epicureans and Stoics who engaged with Paul, representing the diverse philosophical thought in Athens.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_spiritual_longing.htm">Recognizing Spiritual Longing</a> The Athenians' altar to an "Unknown God" reflects a universal human longing for the divine. We should be aware of the spiritual hunger in our own culture and communities. <a href="/topical/e/engaging_culture_thoughtfully.htm">Engaging Culture Thoughtfully</a> Paul uses the Athenians' own religious symbols to introduce them to the Gospel. We should find ways to connect the Gospel to the cultural context of those we are trying to reach. <a href="/topical/p/proclaiming_the_known_god.htm">Proclaiming the Known God</a> While the Athenians worshiped an unknown deity, Christians have the privilege of knowing God through Jesus Christ. We should confidently share this knowledge with others. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a> The Athenians' many altars highlight the human tendency toward idolatry. We must examine our own lives for anything that takes the place of God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_revelation.htm">God's Revelation</a> God desires to be known and has revealed Himself through creation, Scripture, and Jesus Christ. We should seek to know Him more deeply and help others do the same.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 17</a> <a href="/q/what_unknown_god_do_you_worship.htm">What is the unknown god you worship in ignorance?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_biblical_garments_of_skin.htm">What is unknowingly worshiping according to the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_theistic_agnosticism.htm">What defines theistic agnosticism?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_agnosticism_mean.htm">What does agnosticism mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.--Better, I observe you as being in all things more fearful of the gods than others. It is not easy to express the exact force of the Greek adjective. "Superstitious" is, perhaps, too strong on the side of blame; "devout," on the side of praise. The word which the Athenians loved to use of themselves (theosebes, a worshipper of God) exactly answers to the latter term. This St. Paul will not use of idolators, and reserves it for those who worship the one living and true God, and he uses a word which, like our "devotee," though not offensive, was neutral with a slight touch of disparagement. The deisidaimon is described at some length in the Characters of Theophrastus, the La Bruyere of classical literature (c. 17), as one who consults soothsayers, and is a believer in omens, who will give up a journey if he sees a weasel on the road, and goes with his wife and children to be initiated into the Orphic mysteries. Nikias, the Athenian general, ever oppressed with the sense of the jealousy of the gods, and counter-ordering important strategic movements because there was an eclipse of the moon (Thucyd. vii. 50), is a conspicuous instance of the deisidaimon in high places. The Stoic Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Meditt. i. 16), congratulates himself on not being such a deisidaimon, while he gives thanks that he has inherited his mother's devotion (theosebes) (i. 2). The opening words would gain, and were perhaps meant to gain, the ears of the philosophers. Here, they would say, is one who, at least, rises, as we do, above the religion of the multitude.As I passed by, and beheld your devotions.--Better, as I passed by, and was contemplating the objects of your worship. The English word appears to have been used in its old sense, as meaning what the Greek word means--the object, and not the act, of devotion. So, Wiclif gives "your mawmetis"--i.e., "your idols." Tyndale, Cranmer, and the Geneva version give "the manner how ye worship your gods." The Rhemish follows "Wiclif, and gives "your idols."I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.--The Greek of the inscription has no article, and might, therefore, be rendered TO AN UNKNOWN GOD, as though it had been consecrated as a votive offering for benefits which the receiver was unable to assign to the true donor among the "gods many and lords many" whom he worshipped. So interpreted, it did not bear its witness directly to any deeper thoughts than those of the popular poly-theism, and stands on the same footing as the altars TO UNKNOWN GODS, which are mentioned by Pausanias (i. 1-4) as set up in the harbour and streets of Athens, or to the description which Theophrastus gives (as above) of the deisidaimon as asking the soothsayers, after he has had a disquieting dream, to what god or goddess he ought to pray. Greek usage, however, did not require the use of the article in inscriptions of this nature, and the English translation is quite as legitimate as the other, and clearly gives the sense in which St. Paul understood it. Taking this sense, there come the questions, What thought did the inscription express? To what period did it belong? A story connected with Epimenides of Crete, who, as a prophet of great fame, was invited to Athens at a time when the city was suffering from pestilence, is sometimes referred to as affording a probable explanation of its origin. Diogenes Laertius (Epimen. c. 3) relates that he turned sheep loose into the city, and then had them sacrificed, where they stopped, to the god thus pointed out, i.e., to the one whose image or altar was nearest to the spot, and that "altars without a name" were thus to be seen in many parts of Athens; and it has been supposed that this may have been one of these altars, erected where there was no image near enough to warrant a sacrifice to any known deity, and as Epimenides is stated to have offered sacrifices on the Areopagus, that such an altar may have been standing within view as St. Paul spoke. Against this view, however, are the facts (1) that the narrative of Laertius names no such inscription as that of which St. Paul speaks, and rather implies that every victim found the god to whom it of right belonged, or else that the altar was left without any inscription; (2) that St. Paul's language implies that he had seen the inscription as he walked through the city, and not that he looked on it as he spoke; and (3) that it is hardly conceivable that such an altar, standing in so conspicuous a place from the time of Epimenides, would have remained unnoticed by a thinker like Socrates. Jerome (on <a href="/titus/1-12.htm" title="One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.">Titus 1:12</a>) cuts the knot of the difficulty by stating that the inscription actually ran, "To the Gods of Asia and Europe and Africa, to unknown and strange Gods." It is possible that he may have seen an altar with such words upon it, and that he rushed to the conclusion that it was what St. Paul referred to; but it is not likely that the Apostle would have ventured on altering the inscription to suit his argument in the presence of those who could have confuted him on the spot, and his words must be received as indicating what he had actually seen.A passage in the dialogue of Philopatris, ascribed to Lucian, where one of the speakers swears "by the Unknown God of Athens," is interesting: but, as written in the third century after Christ, may be only a reference, not without a sneer, to St. Paul's speech, and cannot be adduced as evidence either as to the existence of such an altar or its meaning. An independent inquiry based upon data hitherto not referred to, will, perhaps, lead to more satisfactory conclusions. (1) The verbal adjective means something more than "Unknown." It adds the fact that the Unknown is also the Unknowable. It is the ultimate confession, such as we have heard of late from the lips of some students of science, of man's impotence to solve the problems of the universe. It does not affirm Atheism, but it knows not what the Power is, which yet it feels must be. (2) As such it presents a striking parallel to the inscription which Plutarch (dc Isid. et Osir.) records as found on the veil of Isis at Sais: "I am all that has been, and all that is, and all that shall be; and no mortal hath lifted my veil." Whether that inscription expressed the older thoughts of Egypt may, perhaps, be questioned. Plutarch gives it in Greek, and this probably indicates a date after the foundation of the monarchy of the Ptolemies (B.C. 367), possibly contemporary with Plutarch (A.D. 46-140). (3) Still more striking, if possible, is the parallelism presented by an altar found at Ostia, and now in the Vatican Museum. It represents what is known as a Mithraic sacrificial group, connected, i.e., with the worship of Mithras, the Sun-god of later Persian mythology, a winged figure sacrificing a bull, with various symbolic emblems, such as a serpent and a scorpion. Underneath appears the inscription (Orelli, Inser. Gel. ii. 5, 000)--SIGNUM INDEPREHENSIBILIS DEI. [THE SYMBOL OF THE UNDISCOVERABLE GOD.]It will be admitted that this expresses the same thought as the inscription which St. Paul quotes; that it is the nearest equivalent that Latin can supply for the "Unknown and Unknowable" God. The frequent recurrence of Mithraic groups in nearly all museums, generally without any note of time, but, in the judgment of experts, ranging from the time of Pompeius to that of Diocletian, shows the prevalence of this Sun worship throughout the Roman world during the early period of the empire. We have found an interesting trace of it in Cyprus. (See Note on <a href="/acts/13-14.htm" title="But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.">Acts 13:14</a>.) We may see its surviving influence in the reverence shown by Constantine to the Dies Solis in the general observance of that day throughout the empire. Other inscriptions, also in the Vatican Museum, such as SOLI DEO INVICTO (Orelli, i., 1904-14), show its prevalence. Our own Sunday (Dies Solis), little as we dream of it, is probably a survival of the Mithraic cultus, which at one time seemed not unlikely, as seen from a merely human standpoint, to present a formidable rivalry to the claims of the Church of Christ. It is, at least, a remarkable coincidence that the Twenty-fifth of December was kept as the festival of Mithras long before it was chosen by the Western Church for the Feast of the Nativity. It is true that De Rossi, the great Roman archaeologist, in a note to the present writer, gives the probable date of the inscription in question as belonging to the second or third century after Christ; but the Mithraic worship is known to have prevailed widely from a much earlier period, and the church of San Clemente, at Rome, where below the two basilicas have been found the remains of a Christian oratory turned into a Mithraic chapel, presents a memorable instance of the rivalry of the two systems. On the whole, therefore, it seems probable that the altar which St. Paul saw was an earlier example of the feeling represented by the Ostian inscription, and may well have found its expression, with a like characteristic formula, among the many forms of the confluent polytheism of Athens. Plutarch (Pompeius) speaks of the worship of Mithras as having been brought into Europe by the Cilician pirates whom Pompeius defeated, and as continuing in his own time.Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship.--Better, as expressing the connection with the inscription, What therefore ye worship not knowing, that declare I unto you. The better MSS. give the relative pronoun in the neuter. It was, perhaps, deliberately used, as St. Paul uses the neuter form for "Godhead" in <a href="/acts/17-29.htm" title="For as much then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like to gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.">Acts 17:29</a>, and a cognate abstract noun in <a href="/romans/1-20.htm" title="For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:">Romans 1:20</a>, to express the fact that the Athenians were as yet ignorant of the personality of the living God. That any human teacher should have power and authority to proclaim that "Unknown God," as making Himself known to men, was what neither Epicureans nor Stoics had dreamt of. The verb "declare" is closely connected with the term "setter forth," of <a href="/acts/17-18.htm" title="Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached to them Jesus, and the resurrection.">Acts 17:18</a>. He does not disclaim that element in the charge against him. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - Passed along for passed by, A.V.; observed the objects of your worship for beheld your devotions, A.V. (τασ` σεβάσματα υμῶν: see <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-4.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:4</a>); also an altar for an altar, A.V.; an for the, A.V.; what for whom, A.V. and T.R.; worship in ignorance for ignorantly worship, A.V.; this for him, A.V. and T.R.; set forth for declare, A.V. AN UNKNOWN GOD. There is no direct and explicit testimony in ancient writers to the existence of any one such altar at Athens, but Pausanias and others speak of altars to "unknown gods," as to be seen in Athens, which may well be understood of several such altars, each dedicated to an unknown god. One of these was seen by St. Paul, and, with inimitable tact, made the text of his sermon. He was not preaching a foreign god to them, but making known to them one whom they had already included in their devotions without knowing him. <a href="/commentaries/acts/17-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. as I walked around διερχόμενος (dierchomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1330.htm">Strong's 1330: </a> To pass through, spread (as a report). From dia and erchomai; to traverse. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. examined ἀναθεωρῶν (anatheōrōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_333.htm">Strong's 333: </a> To look at attentively, gaze at, consider. From ana and theoreo; to look again at. your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. objects of worship, σεβάσματα (sebasmata) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4574.htm">Strong's 4574: </a> An object of worship or veneration. From sebazomai; something adored, i.e. An object of worship. I even found εὗρον (heuron) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. an altar βωμὸν (bōmon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1041.htm">Strong's 1041: </a> An altar, platform; a slightly-elevated spot. From the base of basis; properly, a stand, i.e. an altar. with ᾧ (hō) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. the inscription: ἐπεγέγραπτο (epegegrapto) Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1924.htm">Strong's 1924: </a> To write upon, inscribe, imprint a mark on. From epi and grapho; to inscribe. To an unknown ΑΓΝΩΣΤΩ (AGNŌSTŌ) Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_57.htm">Strong's 57: </a> Unknown, unknowable. Unknown. God. ΘΕΩ (THEŌ) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. Therefore οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. what Ὃ (Ho) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. you worship εὐσεβεῖτε (eusebeite) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2151.htm">Strong's 2151: </a> To be dutiful, pious, show piety towards, worship. From eusebes; to be pious, i.e. to worship, or to respect. as something unknown, ἀγνοοῦντες (agnoountes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_50.htm">Strong's 50: </a> To do not know, be ignorant of, sometimes with the idea of willful ignorance. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [now] proclaim καταγγέλλω (katangellō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2605.htm">Strong's 2605: </a> To declare openly, proclaim, preach, laud, celebrate. From kata and the base of aggelos; to proclaim, promulgate. to you. ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/17-23.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 17:23 For as I passed along and observed (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/17-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 17:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 17:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/17-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 17:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 17:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>