Paul in Athens
Waiting in Athens, Paul is deeply troubled to see the city full of idols, so he reasons in both the synagogue and the marketplace every day. Epicurean and Stoic philosophers begin debating with him, some dismissing him as a babbler and others hearing him as a preacher of foreign divinities because he proclaims Jesus and the resurrection.
W16hile Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols. 17So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day. 18Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.
The philosophers take Paul to the Areopagus and ask to hear more fully the strange teaching he is bringing to their ears. Luke notes that Athenians and the foreigners living there spend their time hearing and articulating the newest ideas.
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? 20For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” 21Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas.