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Commentary on Acts 17 verses 32–34
32 ¶ And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
We have here a short account of the issue of Paul's preaching at Athens.
I. Few were the better: the gospel had as little success at Athens as any where; for the pride of the philosophers there, as of the Pharisees at Jerusalem, prejudiced them against the gospel of Christ. 1. Some ridiculed Paul and his preaching. They heard him patiently till he came to speak of the resurrection of the dead (Act 17:32), and then some of them began to hiss him: they mocked. What he had said before was somewhat like what they had sometimes heard in their own schools, and some notion they had of a resurrection, as it signifies a future state; but, if he speak of a resurrection of the dead, though it be of the resurrection of Christ himself, it is altogether incredible to them, and they cannot bear so much as to hear of it, as being contrary to a principle of their philosophy: A privatione ad habitum non datur regressus - Life when once lost is irrecoverable. They had deified their heroes after their death, but never thought of their being raised from the dead, and therefore they could by no means reconcile themselves to this doctrine of Christ's being raised from the dead; how can this be? This great doctrine, which is the saints' joy, is their jest; when it was but mentioned to them they mocked, and made a laughing matter of it. We are not to think it strange if sacred truths of the greatest certainty and importance are made the scorn of profane wits. 2. Others were willing to take time to consider of it; they said, We will hear thee again of this matter. They would not at present comply with what Paul said, nor oppose it; but we will hear thee again of this matter, of the resurrection of the dead. It should seem, they overlooked what was plain and uncontroverted, and shifted off the application and the improvement of that, by starting objections against what was disputable, and would admit a debate. Thus many lose the benefit of the practical doctrine of Christianity, by wading beyond their depth into controversy, or, rather, by objecting against that which has some difficulty in it; whereas, if any man were disposed and determined to do the will of God, as far as it is discovered to him, he should know of the doctrine of Christ, that it is of God, and not of man, Joh 7:17. Those that would not yield to the present convictions of the word thought to get clear of them, as Felix did, by putting them off to another opportunity; they will hear of it again some time or other, but they know not when; and thus the devil cozens them of all their time, by cozening them of the present time. 3. Paul thereupon left them for the present to consider of it (Act 17:33): He departed from amongst them, as seeing little likelihood of doing any good with them at this time; but, it is likely, with a promise to those that were willing to hear him again that he would meet them whenever they pleased.
II. Yet there were some that were wrought upon, Act 17:34. If some would not, others would. 1. There were certain men that adhered to him, and believed. When he departed from amongst them, they would not part with him so; wherever he went, they would follow him, with a resolution to adhere to the doctrine he preached, which they believed. 2. Two are particularly named; one was an eminent man, Dionysius the Areopagite, one of that high court or great council that sat in Areopagus, or Mars' Hill - a judge, a senator, one of those before whom Paul was summoned to appear; his judge becomes his convert. The account which the ancients give of this Dionysius is that he was bred at Athens, had studied astrology in Egypt, where he took notice of the miraculous eclipse at our Saviour's passion, - that, returning to Athens, he became a senator, disputed with Paul, and was by him converted from his error and idolatry; and, being by him thoroughly instructed, was made the first bishop of Athens. So Eusebius, lib. 5, cap. 4; lib. 4, cap. 22. The woman named Damaris was, as some think, the wife of Dionysius; but, rather, some other person of quality; and, though there was not so great a harvest gathered in at Athens as there was at other places, yet, these few being wrought upon there, Paul had no reason to say he had laboured in vain.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 32–34. Public domain.
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John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on Acts 39
"And so," it says, "Paul went forth." How? Having persuaded some; derided by others. "But certain men," it says, "clave unto him, and believed, among whom was also Dionysius the Areopagite and some others." He did convert both Dionysius the Areopagite, and some others. For those who were careful of right living, quickly received the word; but the others not so.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Acts 17:33 concisely marks the conclusion of the Apostle Paul's significant engagement with the philosophers and intellectuals on the Areopagus in Athens. Following his profound sermon, which culminated in the declaration of Christ's resurrection, this verse simply states Paul's departure, signifying the strategic end of his public discourse in that specific setting, having sown the seeds of the gospel amidst a diverse range of responses.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse serves as a pivotal transition point, immediately following Paul's masterful and culturally attuned sermon on the Areopagus. Paul had skillfully used the Athenians' altar "To the Unknown God" as a bridge to introduce the true Creator, the God who commands all people everywhere to repent and who has appointed a Judge, Jesus Christ, validating His authority through His resurrection from the dead. The preceding verse, Acts 17:32, details the varied reactions to this message: some mocked, some expressed a desire to hear more, and a few, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, believed. Paul's departure in verse 33, therefore, is not a retreat but a strategic conclusion to this particular phase of ministry, paving the way for his subsequent journey to Corinth, as documented in Acts 18:1.
Historical & Cultural Context: Athens in the first century was the intellectual and philosophical capital of the ancient world, home to schools of thought like Stoicism and Epicureanism. The Areopagus (Mars Hill) was not only a physical location but also the name of a prominent council that handled legal and religious matters, making it a fitting, albeit challenging, venue for Paul's discourse. Greek philosophical thought, particularly that of the Stoics and Epicureans, found the concept of bodily resurrection utterly preposterous, viewing the body as a prison and desiring liberation from it. This cultural disdain for resurrection explains the immediate mockery Paul faced. Furthermore, Athens was saturated with idolatry, prompting Paul's observation of numerous altars and statues, including the one dedicated "To the Unknown God," which he shrewdly leveraged to introduce the monotheistic God of the Bible.
Key Themes: Paul's departure in Acts 17:33 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Acts and Paul's ministry. Firstly, it underscores the mixed reception of the gospel, demonstrating that even the most eloquent and culturally sensitive presentation of truth will not be universally embraced. This aligns with the reality that the cross and resurrection are often considered "foolishness" to those who are perishing, as Paul himself notes in 1 Corinthians 1:23. Secondly, the verse highlights Paul's strategic discernment and perseverance in ministry. He did not linger where the message was largely rejected but understood when to move on, trusting God with the seeds sown. This exemplifies the missionary principle of focusing efforts where there is receptivity, while still faithfully proclaiming the truth everywhere. Finally, it subtly points to the sovereignty of God in evangelism, reminding us that while humans plant and water, it is God who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). Paul's mission in Athens had served its divine purpose, leading to the conversion of a few, and now it was time for the next phase.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The brevity and directness of Acts 17:33 employ several literary devices. Conciseness is paramount; the verse states a simple fact, yet its simplicity belies the profound theological implications of the preceding events and Paul's future movements. It functions as a narrative transition, smoothly moving the story from Paul's Athenian ministry to his next missionary endeavor. There is an element of understatement at play; the plain declaration of Paul's departure does not explicitly state the spiritual weight or the emotional complexity of leaving a city where the gospel met with such intellectual resistance, yet it implicitly conveys the reality of evangelistic work. Finally, the phrase "from among them" uses a form of synecdoche or metonymy, where "them" represents the diverse Athenian audience, encompassing those who mocked, those who deferred, and the few who believed, signifying Paul's disengagement from the collective.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's departure in Acts 17:33 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of gospel proclamation. It highlights that faithfulness in evangelism does not guarantee universal acceptance, nor does it require lingering where the message is consistently rejected. Rather, it underscores the divine sovereignty over the results of ministry and the wisdom of discerning when to move on. Paul had faithfully sown the seed, leaving the increase to God, embodying a resilient and strategic approach to mission that prioritizes the spread of the gospel to new audiences. This verse reminds believers that their responsibility is to proclaim the truth clearly and boldly, trusting God with the varied responses, and being prepared to shift focus when a particular opportunity has run its course.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 17:33 offers timeless lessons for contemporary believers engaged in sharing their faith. Paul's example teaches us that while we are called to be faithful in proclaiming the gospel, we must also be realistic about the varied responses it will elicit. Not everyone will embrace the message, and some may even mock or dismiss it. This verse encourages us not to be discouraged by rejection but to cultivate resilience and discernment. Just as Paul strategically moved on, we too must learn when a particular conversation or ministry effort has reached its natural conclusion, trusting that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in the hearts of those who heard. Our mission is to faithfully sow the seed, not to force the harvest. It also challenges us to consider whether we are willing to proclaim the full gospel, including its challenging truths like the resurrection, even when it might be unpopular or intellectually offensive to our audience.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Paul depart so abruptly from Athens?
Answer: Paul's departure was not abrupt in the sense of being a hasty or defeated retreat, but rather a strategic and purposeful conclusion to his public ministry in Athens. He had delivered the core message of the gospel, culminating in the crucial doctrine of the resurrection, which served as a clear point of division among his listeners. The varied reactions in Acts 17:32—some mocking, some desiring more, and a few believing—indicated that he had fulfilled his immediate purpose for that specific audience. Having sown the seed and seen the initial responses, it was time to move on to new fields where the Spirit was leading, as evidenced by his subsequent journey to Corinth mentioned in Acts 18:1.
Does Paul's departure imply that his ministry in Athens was a failure?
Answer: Absolutely not. While Athens did not see the mass conversions that occurred in some other cities, Paul's ministry there was far from a failure. Firstly, success in gospel ministry is measured by faithfulness to proclamation, not solely by immediate numerical results. Paul faithfully presented the truth to a highly intellectual and resistant audience. Secondly, his message did bear fruit: Acts 17:34 explicitly states that "some men clave unto him, and believed," specifically naming Dionysius the Areopagite (a prominent council member) and a woman named Damaris. These individuals represent the foundational converts, indicating that a church likely began to form in Athens. Paul's strategic departure simply marked the completion of his public discourse, not an abandonment of the few who believed.
Where did Paul go immediately after leaving Athens?
Answer: Following his departure from Athens, Paul traveled to Corinth, as explicitly stated in Acts 18:1. Corinth was a major Roman provincial capital and a bustling commercial center, offering new opportunities for gospel proclamation. His ministry in Corinth would prove to be one of his most significant and fruitful, resulting in the establishment of a vibrant (though sometimes problematic) church to which he would later write two canonical epistles.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 17:33, though a simple statement of Paul's movement, profoundly reflects the ongoing pattern of Christ's mission and the nature of the Kingdom of God. Just as Paul's message of the resurrection caused division and led to his departure, so too did the ministry of Jesus Himself often elicit mixed responses, with many rejecting His claims while a faithful remnant believed (John 1:11-12). Christ's own earthly ministry culminated in His ultimate "departure" through the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, yet this was not a failure but the very means by which salvation was secured and the Holy Spirit was sent to empower His disciples (John 16:7). Paul, as an apostle, embodies Christ's commission to go into all the world, faithfully proclaiming the good news even when met with opposition. His strategic departure from Athens, having delivered the core message of the resurrected Lord, mirrors Christ's own example of discerning when to move on to the next village or city, leaving the seeds of truth to germinate according to the Father's will (Luke 4:43). Ultimately, Paul's actions in Acts 17:33 are a continuation of Christ's redemptive work, demonstrating that the gospel's power is not dependent on universal acceptance but on faithful proclamation and the sovereign work of God through the Spirit, building His church one soul at a time (Matthew 16:18).