Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Acts 17:32
ESV Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”
NIV When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, 'We want to hear you again on this subject.'
NASB Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, 'We shall hear from you again concerning this.'
CSB When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him, but others said, "We'd like to hear from you again about this."
NLT When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, 'We want to hear more about this later.'
KJV And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

What does Acts 17:32 mean?

Paul has successfully showed how the God who created the universe and gave humans their life and breath cannot be confined to or even represented by an idol made with human hands. He has tied together an altar to an unknown god, Athenian and Cretan poets, and logic to present the idea that if there is a standard, those who are called to follow that standard will be judged. If the Creator God cannot be represented by an idol made of metal or stone or wood, and someone makes and worships such a statue, God will judge them (Acts 17:22–30).

In fact, He already has a judgment plan in place. He has chosen the day when His representative will judge in righteousness, and He has identified this representative by raising Him from the dead (Acts 17:31). It is because Jesus is righteous and lived a righteous life on earth that He can judge the world.

Unfortunately, Paul's audience has hit a roadblock. The Epicureans believe in annihilationism—that at death people simply cease to exist. The Stoics believe souls are made of fire and return to the natural law of the cosmos upon death. Neither believe in the resurrection of the dead, and if people aren't resurrected, there can be no resurrected judge and no resurrected people to judge.

Paul has kept their attention so far because the philosophers probably thought he was introducing two new gods: Jesus, or "Healer," and Anastasis, or "Resurrection." Once they realize Paul means the literal resurrection of the dead, they lose interest.

It isn't clear if the second group is genuinely interested, if they are being polite, or if they really do want to hear more. As is his habit when he has worn out his welcome in synagogues, Paul leaves the Areopagus and finds someplace else to teach. Ultimately, several people do believe. While the Epicureans and Stoics continue to seek peace by finding balance and submitting to the laws of the universe, Dionysius, Damaris, and others find peace in Christ (Acts 17:33–34).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit