Acts 17:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} as I passed by {G1330}, and {G2532} beheld {G333} your {G5216} devotions {G4574},{G2532} I found {G2147} an altar {G1041} with this {G1722}{G3739} inscription {G1924}, TO THE UNKNOWN {G57} GOD {G2316}. Whom {G3739} therefore {G3767} ye ignorantly {G50} worship {G2151}, him {G5126} declare {G2605} I {G1473} unto you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For as I was walking around, looking at your shrines, I even found an altar which had been inscribed, ‘To An Unknown God.’ So, the one whom you are already worshipping in ignorance — this is the one I proclaim to you.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Acts 17:23, Paul masterfully leverages the Athenians' deep religiosity, specifically an altar dedicated "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD," to introduce them to the one true God. He observes their myriad devotions and uses this unique inscription as a strategic point of connection, asserting that the very deity they unknowingly worship is the one he has come to declare, thus bridging their spiritual longing with the revealed truth of the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is central to Paul's famous sermon on the Areopagus (Mars Hill) in Athens, recounted in [Acts 17:16-34](/acts/17-16-34 "Acts 17:16-34 - Paul's Sermon on the Areopagus"). Paul's spirit was provoked by the pervasive idolatry he observed in the city ([Acts 17:16](/acts/17-16 "Acts 17:16 - Paul's Distress in Athens")). His initial engagement involved reasoning in the synagogue with Jews and devout Gentiles, and in the marketplace daily with anyone who would listen ([Acts 17:17](/acts/17-17 "Acts 17:17 - Paul Debates in the Synagogue and Marketplace")). This led to philosophers, specifically Epicureans and Stoics, bringing him to the Areopagus, a prominent judicial and philosophical council, to explain his "new teaching" ([Acts 17:18-19](/acts/17-18-19 "Acts 17:18-19 - Paul Brought to the Areopagus")). Verse 23 serves as the crucial opening of his address, where he acknowledges their religiosity before gently correcting their ignorance and proclaiming the Creator God, the resurrection, and the call to repentance ([Acts 17:24-31](/acts/17-24-31 "Acts 17:24-31 - Paul's Declaration of God and Judgment")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Athens in the first century AD was a renowned center of philosophy, art, and religion, a city steeped in intellectual heritage from the classical Greek period. It was home to numerous temples, altars, and idols, reflecting a polytheistic worldview. The presence of an altar "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD" was not unique; ancient writers like Pausanias and Philostratus mention similar altars in Athens and other Greek cities. These altars likely served as a religious "insurance policy," ensuring that no deity, known or unknown, was inadvertently offended or left unhonored. The Athenians, known for their intellectual curiosity and philosophical debates, were open to hearing new ideas, as evidenced by their bringing Paul to the Areopagus. However, their intellectual pride often led to skepticism toward anything that challenged their established worldview, particularly concepts like resurrection. Paul's approach demonstrates a profound understanding of their cultural and religious landscape, starting from a point of commonality rather than immediate confrontation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several significant themes evident throughout Paul's Areopagus sermon and the broader Book of Acts. One prominent theme is **Strategic Evangelism**, where Paul models contextualized mission, finding common ground with his audience before presenting the Gospel. He skillfully transitions from their existing religious practices to the truth of God's revelation. Another theme is **God's Self-Revelation and Knowability**, contrasting the Athenians' "unknown god" with the God who has actively revealed Himself through creation ([Acts 17:24-26](/acts/17-24-26 "Acts 17:24-26 - God as Creator and Sustainer")) and, ultimately, through Jesus Christ ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God's Appointed Judge")). The passage also highlights the theme of **True Worship vs. Ignorant Devotion**, gently challenging the Athenians' sincere but misdirected piety, emphasizing that genuine worship stems from knowledge of the object of worship. This sets the stage for Paul's declaration of the true God and His call for all people to repent ([Acts 17:30](/acts/17-30 "Acts 17:30 - God Commands Repentance")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **altar (Greek, _bōmós'_):** Properly, a stand; specifically, a structure or elevated place upon which sacrifices or offerings are made to a deity. Paul's finding of such an altar demonstrates the Athenians' deep-seated religious impulse and their physical manifestations of devotion, even to an unnamed deity.
* **UNKNOWN (Greek, _ágnōstos'_):** From a negative particle and "known," meaning unrecognized, unrevealed, or not known. This term implies a lack of specific knowledge rather than an inherent unknowability of the divine. Paul seizes on this very word to declare that what was unknown to them is now being made known through his preaching.
* **worship (Greek, _eusebéō'_):** To be pious; to show reverence or respect, especially towards God, or towards parents. In this context, it refers to the Athenians' religious acts and reverence directed towards their deities. Paul acknowledges their piety but points out that the object of this particular worship was unknown to them, making their devotion ignorant in its specific target.
* **declare (Greek, _katangéllō'_):** To proclaim, promulgate, announce, or teach. This word emphasizes Paul's mission: not merely to discuss or philosophize, but to authoritatively announce and make known the truth about the God they had unknowingly sought.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions":** Paul begins by establishing his personal observation of the Athenian religious landscape. The phrase "passed by" (G1330, _diérchomai_) indicates his movement through the city, and "beheld" (G333, _anatheōréō_) suggests a careful, attentive observation, not just a casual glance. "Your devotions" (G4574, _sébasma_) refers to their objects of worship, shrines, or acts of reverence, highlighting their extensive religious practices.
* **"I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.":** This is the pivotal discovery. Paul identifies a specific, tangible point of contact – an altar dedicated to a deity not explicitly named. The inscription "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD" (G57, _ágnōstos_ G2316, _theós_) reveals the Athenians' comprehensive, yet ultimately uncertain, approach to appeasing all potential divine powers.
* **"Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.":** This is Paul's profound theological pivot. He acknowledges their worship (G2151, _eusebéō_) but qualifies it as "ignorantly" (G50, _agnoéō_), meaning without full knowledge or understanding of the true identity of the divine being. He then presents himself as the one who will remove this ignorance, asserting that the very God they are seeking, albeit blindly, is the one he is now prepared to "declare" (G2605, _katangéllō_) to them.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's address in Acts 17:23 employs several effective literary devices. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, as Paul directly addresses his Athenian audience ("your devotions," "ye ignorantly worship," "I unto you"), creating an immediate and personal connection. There is also a powerful use of **Juxtaposition**, contrasting the Athenians' "unknown" and "ignorant" worship with Paul's clear "declaration" of the true God. This highlights the shift from pagan uncertainty to Christian revelation. Furthermore, the "altar to the unknown god" functions as a potent **Symbol**, serving as a physical manifestation of humanity's innate spiritual longing and search for the divine, even when that search is misdirected or incomplete. Paul transforms this symbol of their ignorance into a **Bridge Metaphor**, using it as a natural and non-confrontational entry point to introduce the Gospel, demonstrating his rhetorical brilliance and cultural sensitivity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 17:23 is a foundational text for understanding God's universal revelation and humanity's innate religious impulse. It underscores the biblical truth that God has made Himself known, at least partially, to all people through creation and conscience (general revelation), leading many to seek Him, even if vaguely or ignorantly. Paul's message affirms that while humanity may grope for God, God is not far from anyone, and He actively seeks to be known. This verse sets the stage for the declaration of specific, special revelation in Jesus Christ, moving people from a general, often superstitious, religiosity to a saving knowledge of the one true God. It also highlights the continuity between humanity's deepest spiritual longings and the ultimate fulfillment found in God's self-disclosure.

* [Romans 1:19-20](/romans/1-19-20 "Romans 1:19-20 - God's Invisible Qualities Clearly Seen")
* [John 4:22-24](/john/4-22-24 "John 4:22-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")
* [Jeremiah 29:13](/jeremiah/29-13 "Jeremiah 29:13 - Seeking God with All Your Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's approach in Acts 17:23 offers a timeless blueprint for engaging with a world that is often spiritually curious yet deeply misinformed or ignorant about the true God. It challenges believers to move beyond condemnation of differing beliefs and instead cultivate a posture of careful observation, respectful engagement, and strategic bridge-building. We are called to discern the underlying spiritual longings in our culture, whether expressed through art, philosophy, or even other religions, and to use these as starting points for dialogue. The goal is not to affirm error but to gently and lovingly declare the truth of the Gospel, presenting the known God who has revealed Himself fully in Christ. This requires both theological clarity and compassionate communication, acknowledging people's sincere (though often misguided) search for meaning while boldly proclaiming the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I better observe and understand the "devotions" or spiritual longings present in my own community or culture?**
* **What "altars to an unknown god" exist in contemporary society (e.g., pursuit of self-help, materialism, certain spiritualities) that could serve as a bridge for sharing the Gospel?**
* **How can I declare the truth about God in a way that is both biblically faithful and culturally sensitive, following Paul's example?**
* **In what ways might my own "worship" be ignorant, and how can I deepen my knowledge and understanding of God to worship Him more fully in spirit and truth?**

### FAQ
**Was the "Unknown God" a specific deity in the Greek pantheon, or a general concept?**

Answer: The "Unknown God" (Greek: _agnosto theo_) was not a specific, named deity in the Greek pantheon like Zeus or Athena. Instead, it represented a general concept or a collective acknowledgment of any divine power that might exist beyond their known gods. It functioned as a religious "safety net" or "insurance policy," ensuring that no deity, whether known or unknown, was inadvertently overlooked or offended. Paul masterfully uses this inscription, which points to the Athenians' awareness of a divine reality beyond their comprehension, as a natural bridge to introduce the one true God, whom they had been unknowingly seeking.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 17:23 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus as the complete and final revelation of the previously "unknown" God. The Athenians' altar symbolized humanity's innate, yet often blind, search for the divine, a longing for a God who remained veiled. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is presented as the very embodiment and full disclosure of God, making the invisible God visible and knowable. [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God Except the Son") declares, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." Similarly, [Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God") states that Christ "is the image of the invisible God," and [Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God's Final Word in His Son") affirms that God, "in these last days, hath spoken unto us by his Son." Thus, the "unknown God" whom Paul declares is fully revealed in the person and work of Jesus, who not only makes God known but also provides the means for true, informed worship and reconciliation with the Father through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 4:8

¶ Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

Galatians 4:9

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

John 4:22

Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

John 17:3

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

John 17:25

O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

Acts 17:30

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

1 Corinthians 1:21

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.