Acts 17:32

¶ And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this [matter].

And {G1161} when they heard {G191} of the resurrection {G386} of the dead {G3498}, some {G3303} mocked {G5512}: and {G1161} others said {G2036}, We will hear {G191} thee {G4675} again {G3825} of {G4012} this {G5127} matter.

At the mention of a resurrection of dead people, some began to scoff; while others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again.

Acts 17:32 (KJV) records the immediate and varied reactions to the Apostle Paul's powerful sermon on Mars' Hill in Athens. After Paul declared that God would judge the world through a resurrected man, Jesus Christ, his audience responded in three distinct ways.

Context

This verse concludes Paul's profound address to the leading intellectuals of Athens, including Stoic and Epicurean philosophers, at the Areopagus (Mars' Hill). Paul began by acknowledging their religiosity, using their altar "To the Unknown God" as a springboard to introduce the true God, the Creator of all. He eloquently presented God's sovereignty, humanity's dependence on Him, and the call to repentance. The climax of his message, however, was the assertion of God's future judgment through a man whom He had raised from the dead, offering assurance to all. This concept of the resurrection of the dead was profoundly foreign and often ridiculous to the prevailing Greek philosophical thought, which largely disdained the physical body and had no concept of a bodily resurrection.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • Varied Reactions to Truth: The verse highlights the diverse ways people receive the Gospel message. Some immediately dismissed it with scorn, while others were curious but non-committal. A third group (mentioned in the following verse, Acts 17:34) believed. This spectrum of responses—mockery, postponement, and belief—is a recurring theme in the spread of Christianity.
  • The Stumbling Block of Resurrection: For the Greek mind, the idea of a bodily resurrection was absurd. Epicureans denied an afterlife, and Stoics believed in the soul's absorption into the divine, not a physical return. Paul's emphasis on the resurrection of Jesus was not merely a historical claim but the foundational proof of Christ's divine authority and the assurance of future judgment and eternal life. It remains a central, non-negotiable doctrine of Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:14).
  • Skepticism and Postponement: The "mocked" group represents outright rejection, often rooted in intellectual pride or a perceived clash with their established worldview. The "we will hear thee again" group signifies intellectual curiosity without immediate commitment. They were intrigued but not yet convinced enough to embrace the radical implications of Paul's message. This delay can sometimes be a polite dismissal or a genuine desire for further consideration.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word translated "mocked" is ekmyktērizō (ἐκμυκτηρίζω), which conveys a strong sense of ridicule, sneering, or turning up the nose in contempt. It's not merely disagreement but open scorn. This emphasizes the profound offense the concept of resurrection caused among some of the highly educated Athenians.

Practical Application

Acts 17:32 reminds us that the message of the Gospel, particularly the truth of Christ's resurrection, will always elicit diverse reactions. Not everyone will accept it immediately, or even at all. Believers should be prepared for skepticism, ridicule, or polite deferral, just as Paul encountered. Our role is to faithfully proclaim the truth, trusting God with the outcome, and to continue to pray for those who are still considering or rejecting the message of salvation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 17:18

    Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

  • Acts 26:8

    Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

  • Acts 2:13

    Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

  • Acts 25:19

    But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

  • Acts 24:25

    And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:2

    (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)

  • Acts 17:31

    Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.

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