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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 17:20 For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/17-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/44_Act_17_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 17:20 - Paul in Athens" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/17-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/17-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/17-19.htm" title="Acts 17:19">◄</a> Acts 17:20 <a href="/acts/17-21.htm" title="Acts 17:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/17.htm">New International Version</a> You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/acts/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” <a href="/esv/acts/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” <a href="/bsb/acts/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” <a href="/blb/acts/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. We resolve therefore to know what these things wish to be." <a href="/kjv/acts/17.htm">King James Bible</a> For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. <a href="/nkjv/acts/17.htm">New King James Version</a> For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” <a href="/nasb_/acts/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.” <a href="/nasb/acts/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/acts/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; we want to know therefore what these things mean.” <a href="/lsb/acts/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. So we want to know what these things mean.” <a href="/amp/acts/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For you are bringing some startling and strange things to our ears; so we want to know what they mean.” <a href="/csb/acts/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Because what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these things mean.” <a href="/hcsb/acts/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these ideas mean.&#8221 <a href="/asv/acts/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. <a href="/cev/acts/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> We have heard you say some strange things, and we want to know what you mean." <a href="/erv/acts/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. <a href="/gwt/acts/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Some of the things you say sound strange to us. So we would like to know what they mean." <a href="/gnt/acts/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> Some of the things we hear you say sound strange to us, and we would like to know what they mean." ( <a href="/isv/acts/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> It sounds rather strange to our ears, and we would like to know what it means." <a href="/msb/acts/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.? <a href="/net/acts/17.htm">NET Bible</a> For you are bringing some surprising things to our ears, so we want to know what they mean." <a href="/nheb/acts/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean." <a href="/wbt/acts/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears; we would know therefore what these things mean. <a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For the things you are saying sound strange to us. We should therefore like to be told exactly what they mean." <a href="/web/acts/17.htm">World English Bible</a> For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for you bring certain strange things to our ears? We resolve, then, to know what these things would wish to be”; <a href="/blb/acts/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. We resolve therefore to know what these things wish to be." <a href="/ylt/acts/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for certain strange things thou dost bring to our ears? we wish, then, to know what these things would wish to be;' <a href="/slt/acts/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we wish therefore to know what these things may be.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For thou bringest in certain new things to our ears. We would know therefore what these things mean. <a href="/cpdv/acts/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For you bring certain new ideas to our ears. And so we would like to know what these things mean.” <a href="/nabre/acts/17.htm">New American Bible</a> For you bring some strange notions to our ears; we should like to know what these things mean.” <a href="/nrsvce/acts/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> It sounds rather strange to us, so we would like to know what it means.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For you proclaim strange words to our ears and we want to know what these things mean. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “For you have sown strange words in our hearing and we wish to know what these things are.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For you bring some strange things to our ears: we wish to understand then what these things mean. <a href="/godbey/acts/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For you bring certain strange things to our hearing: therefore we desire to know what these things wish to be. <a href="/haweis/acts/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For thou bringest some strange stories to our ears; we wish therefore to know what these things mean. <a href="/mace/acts/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for what you say sounds so very strange, we should be glad to know what it means. <a href="/wey/acts/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For the things you are saying sound strange to us. We should therefore like to be told exactly what they mean." <a href="/worrell/acts/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> for you bring to our ears certain strange things; we wish, therefore, to know what these things mean." <a href="/worsley/acts/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For thou bringest strange things to our ears; we would therefore know what these things mean. <a href="/parallel/acts/17-20.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=5761" 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 in Athens</a> …19So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1533.htm" title="1533: eisphereis (V-PIA-2S) -- To lead into, bring in, announce. From eis and phero; to carry inward.">you are bringing</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tina (IPro-ANP) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">some</a> <a href="/greek/3579.htm" title="3579: xenizonta (V-PPA-ANP) -- (a) I entertain a stranger, (b) I startle, bewilder. From xenos; to be a host; by implication, be strange.">strange notions</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tas (Art-AFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/189.htm" title="189: akoas (N-AFP) -- Hearing, faculty of hearing, ear; report, rumor. From akouo; hearing.">ears,</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">and</a> <a href="/greek/1014.htm" title="1014: boulometha (V-PIM/P-1P) -- To will, intend, desire, wish. Middle voice of a primary verb; to will, i.e. be willing.">we want</a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: gnōnai (V-ANA) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">to know</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tina (IPro-NNP) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tauta (DPro-NNP) -- This; he, she, it. ">they</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelei (V-PIA-3S) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">mean.”</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: einai (V-PNA) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist."></a> 21Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas.…<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="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">1 Corinthians 1:22-24</a> Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, / but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, / but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a> The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/1_corinthians/4-9.htm">1 Corinthians 4:9-10</a> For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men. / We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. <a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a> For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18</a> For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-1.htm">1 Corinthians 2:1-2</a> When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. / For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">1 Corinthians 3:18-19</a> Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” <a href="/2_corinthians/4-3.htm">2 Corinthians 4:3-4</a> And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. / The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. <a href="/2_corinthians/10-5.htm">2 Corinthians 10:5</a> We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8</a> See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. <a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm">Isaiah 29:14</a> Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.” <a href="/isaiah/44-25.htm">Isaiah 44:25</a> who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense, <a href="/jeremiah/8-9.htm">Jeremiah 8:9</a> The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have? <a href="/jeremiah/10-7.htm">Jeremiah 10:7-8</a> Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You. / But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood! <a href="/ezekiel/33-32.htm">Ezekiel 33:32</a> Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For you bring certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.strange.<a href="/hosea/8-12.htm">Hosea 8:12</a> I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.<a href="/matthew/19-23.htm">Matthew 19:23-25</a> Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven… <a href="/mark/10-24.htm">Mark 10:24-26</a> And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! … what.<a href="/acts/2-12.htm">Acts 2:12</a> And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?<a href="/acts/10-17.htm">Acts 10:17</a> Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,<a href="/mark/9-10.htm">Mark 9:10</a> And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/16-3.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/acts/14-14.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/john/14-31.htm">Exactly</a> <a href="/john/7-47.htm">Ideas</a> <a href="/acts/14-17.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/acts/2-12.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/acts/13-25.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/acts/13-8.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/acts/9-7.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/acts/17-18.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/acts/17-18.htm">Want</a> <a href="/acts/17-18.htm">Wish</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/18-27.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/acts/19-17.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/acts/18-25.htm">Exactly</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">Ideas</a> <a href="/acts/21-13.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/acts/2-12.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/acts/25-27.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/acts/20-22.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/romans/10-18.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/acts/26-11.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/acts/17-32.htm">Want</a> <a href="/acts/18-15.htm">Wish</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 you are bringing some strange notions to our ears The Athenians were known for their love of new ideas and philosophies, as seen in <a href="/acts/17-21.htm">Acts 17:21</a>. The term "strange notions" indicates that Paul's teachings about Jesus and the resurrection were unfamiliar and perhaps unsettling to the Greek audience, who were steeped in polytheism and philosophical traditions. This reflects the cultural and religious diversity of Athens, a city filled with idols (<a href="/acts/17-16.htm">Acts 17:16</a>). The message of the resurrection was particularly foreign, as Greek thought often viewed the physical body as a prison for the soul, making the idea of bodily resurrection perplexing.and we want to know what they mean. This curiosity aligns with the Athenian reputation for intellectual exploration and debate. The Areopagus, where Paul was speaking, was a place where philosophical and legal matters were discussed. The Athenians' desire to understand Paul's message shows an openness to dialogue, which Paul uses as an opportunity to introduce the gospel. This moment is reminiscent of <a href="/1_peter/3-15.htm">1 Peter 3:15</a>, where believers are encouraged to be ready to explain their faith. The Athenians' inquiry also sets the stage for Paul to connect the gospel to their context, as he later references their altar to an unknown god (<a href="/acts/17-23.htm">Acts 17:23</a>), using it as a bridge to explain the nature of the true God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle who is speaking in Athens, sharing the Gospel with the people there. 2. <a href="/topical/a/athens.htm">Athens</a> A city known for its rich history in philosophy and learning, where Paul is engaging with both Jews and Gentiles. 3. <a href="/topical/a/areopagus.htm">Areopagus</a> A prominent rock outcropping in Athens where philosophical discussions and legal matters were often held. 4. <a href="/topical/e/epicureans_and_stoics.htm">Epicureans and Stoics</a> Philosophers who engaged with Paul, representing two major schools of thought in Athens. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_athenians_and_foreigners.htm">The Athenians and Foreigners</a> The audience who were curious about Paul's teachings, known for their interest in new ideas.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/e/engaging_culture_with_the_gospel.htm">Engaging Culture with the Gospel</a> Paul demonstrates how to engage with a culture that is unfamiliar with the Gospel. He uses their own context and interests as a starting point for sharing the truth. <a href="/topical/c/curiosity_as_an_opportunity.htm">Curiosity as an Opportunity</a> The Athenians' curiosity about "strange notions" can be seen as an opportunity for evangelism. We should be prepared to explain our faith to those who are curious. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_worldviews.htm">Understanding Worldviews</a> Paul’s interaction with the Epicureans and Stoics shows the importance of understanding different worldviews to effectively communicate the Gospel. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_the_gospel.htm">The Power of the Gospel</a> Despite the Athenians' intellectualism, Paul remains confident in the power of the Gospel to transform lives. <a href="/topical/r/respectful_dialogue.htm">Respectful Dialogue</a> Paul’s respectful approach in addressing the Athenians serves as a model for engaging in dialogue with those who hold different beliefs.<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_are_maat's_42_precepts.htm">What are the Forty-Two Precepts of Maat?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_concept_of_the_god_virus.htm">What is the concept of the God Virus?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_john_12_28_align_with_other_audible_god_voices.htm">How does John 12:28 reconcile with other biblical portrayals of God's voice supposedly heard audibly by crowds?</a> <a href="/q/who_wrote_the_new_testament.htm">What does 'Pious Fraud' 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>(20) Thou bringest certain strange things.--The adjective stands for a Greek participle, things that startle, or leave an impression of strangeness.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - Strange things. Χενίζειν, in this use of it, means to act or play the foreigner, to imitate the manners and language and appearance of a foreigner (ξένος), just as Ἰουδαίζειν Ἐλληνίζειν Αττικίζειν, etc., mean to Judaize, Hellenize, Atticize, etc. Here, then, the Athenians say that St. Paul's doctrines have a foreign air, do not look like native Athenian speculations. <a href="/commentaries/acts/17-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γάρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. you are bringing εἰσφέρεις (eisphereis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1533.htm">Strong's 1533: </a> To lead into, bring in, announce. From eis and phero; to carry inward. some τινα (tina) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. strange notions ξενίζοντα (xenizonta) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3579.htm">Strong's 3579: </a> (a) I entertain a stranger, (b) I startle, bewilder. From xenos; to be a host; by implication, be strange. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. ears, ἀκοὰς (akoas) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_189.htm">Strong's 189: </a> Hearing, faculty of hearing, ear; report, rumor. From akouo; hearing. [and] οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. we want βουλόμεθα (boulometha) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1014.htm">Strong's 1014: </a> To will, intend, desire, wish. Middle voice of a primary verb; to 'will, ' i.e. be willing. to know γνῶναι (gnōnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. what τίνα (tina) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. [they] ταῦτα (tauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. mean.” θέλει (thelei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/17-20.htm">Acts 17:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/17-20.htm">Acts 17:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/17-20.htm">Acts 17:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/17-20.htm">Acts 17:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/17-20.htm">Acts 17:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/17-20.htm">Acts 17:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/17-20.htm">Acts 17:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/17-20.htm">Acts 17:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/17-20.htm">Acts 17:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/17-20.htm">Acts 17:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/17-20.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 17:20 For you bring certain strange things (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/17-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 17:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 17:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/17-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 17:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 17:21" /></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>