Acts 17:19

And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? Acts 17:19

The previous verse noted the questioning of the Epicureans and Stoics concerning Paul. Along with them, others perceived that Paul was proclaiming foreign gods. That now continues, saying, “And they took him.”

More literally, “And they took hold of him.” The sense is that of personal initiative in the act of seizing someone or something. At times, it can be a forceful seizing of someone. At others, it is a purposeful act of helping someone along. This is another indication that Paul was dependent on others for assistance. In this case, it was especially so because it involves ascending a hill. As it next says, “and brought him to the Areopagus.”

The location in Greek is the Areios Pagos and is directly translated as the Hill of Ares. Ares is the Greek God of war also called Mars. The word pagos means a rocky hill. Of this location, Vincent’s Word Studies, also citing another source, says –

“The Hill of Mars: the seat of the ancient and venerable Athenian court which decided the most solemn questions connected with religion. Socrates was arraigned and condemned here on the charge of innovating on the state religion. It received its name from the legend of the trial of Mars for the murder of the son of Neptune. The judges sat in the open air upon seats hewn out in the rock, on a platform ascended by a flight of stone steps immediately from the market-place. A temple of Mars was on the brow of the edifice, and the sanctuary of the Furies was in a broken cleft of the rock immediately below the judges' seats. The Acropolis rose above it, with the Parthenon and the colossal statue of Athene. ‘It was a scene with which the dread recollections of centuries were associated. Those who withdrew to the Areopagus from the Agora, came, as it were, into the presence of a higher power. No place in Athens was so suitable for a discourse upon the mysteries of religion’(Conybeare and Hewson).”

At times, the name Areopagus may be used to indicate the hill itself or as name for the court that met there. This is like Hollywood indicating both a location as well as the industry that has formed at the location. The reason for taking him there is next explained. Those who conducted him were “saying, ‘May we know.’”

The word used is dunamai. It signifies ability or power. Thus, there is a polite but seemingly almost sarcastic tone in their words, “Are we able to know?” Paul was in the agora teaching. These people heard him and were perplexed by what he was saying because their form of life and conduct, as well as their personal beliefs, were contrary to the idea of sin and atonement as well as death and resurrection. This can be seen by what has already been presented –

Because:

“What does this seed-picker want to say?”

“He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods.”

Therefore:

“Are we able to know what this new doctrine?”

Because of this state of curiosity, they continue with “what this new doctrine is of which you speak?”

There is no hint of them having brought Paul there for a trial or to make an accusation against him. Rather, verse 21 will indicate that those who brought him, along with those who were already at the Areopagus, had a different intent altogether. Paul is being asked to more fully explain what he had been talking about while in the agora.

Life application: If you were asked to explain your faith in Jesus at Princeton University, would you be able to do it? If so, you would surely be challenged by some, belittled by others, and entirely dismissed by many. How would you handle such a crowd?

Like Paul, you may be asked to defend your faith at some point, explaining the hope that you possess. As you are speaking, you may hear, “I have been told the Bible is unreliable.” Would you have an answer to that? While you are talking about Jesus and the resurrection, someone else may be asking about the flood of Noah. “How can you believe such a ridiculous story?”

You should expect this because it is the standard thinking of people in the world today. In some cases, you can turn the question into another question. “Did you know that the theories of creation and evolution are ‘theories’ because they have not been proven? Is it more reasonable to believe that God created the universe or to believe that the universe created itself?”

At other times, you may want to make firm proclamations about your faith. “I believe in Jesus Christ because He is the Subject of the Bible. What is presented in its pages concerning the nature of man, the problem with humanity, and the resolution of that problem is exactingly detailed there. And more, Jesus is the only acceptable explanation for the resolution to it.”

Think about such things. Practice them in your head. Watch videos or read books concerning creation. Consider how Jesus is anticipated or explained in your reading of the Bible each day. Prepare your mind for the times when you are questioned about these things. No time spent learning about them will be wasted time. Life is short. Spend yours getting to know this wonderful Creator and Redeemer and then be prepared to tell others about Him!

O God, it is a world filled with unclear thinking about who You are and our standing in relation to You. But these things are revealed in Scripture. So, Lord, help us to be prepared to give a defense for the hope that we possess. May we not stand unprepared when we are asked or challenged concerning our faith. Amen.