TRV
Translation
King James Version
Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Complete Jewish Bible
But some men stayed with him and came to trust, including the High Council member Dionysius; there was also a woman named Damaris; and others came to trust along with them.
Berean Standard Bible
But some joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others who were with them.
American Standard Version
But certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
World English Bible Messianic
But certain men joined with him, and believed, among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Howbeit certaine men claue vnto Paul, and beleeued: among whome was also Denys Areopagita, and a woman named Damaris, and other with them.
Young's Literal Translation
and certain men having cleaved to him, did believe, among whom is also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman, by name Damaris, and others with them.
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 27,558 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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.
Copy as
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.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Acts
Among whom also is Dionysius the Areopagite. This is Dionysius, who later gloriously ruled the Church as bishop of the Corinthians, and left many volumes of his genius beneficial to the Church, which remain to this day, taking his cognomen from the place he presided over. For the Areopagus is the court of Athens, deriving its name from Mars. For indeed in Greek, Mars is called ἄρης, and ‘pagos’ means hill.
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.
Copy as
Continue studying Acts 17:34 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Acts 17:34 brings Paul's impactful sermon on the Areopagus to a close, detailing the immediate, albeit varied, responses to his proclamation of the resurrected Christ. While many scoffed or hesitated, this verse highlights the genuine conversion of a select group, including prominent individuals like Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, who embraced the Gospel and committed themselves to Paul and the burgeoning Christian community in Athens. It underscores that even in environments of intellectual skepticism, the divine message of salvation finds receptive hearts, demonstrating the power of God to draw individuals from all walks of life.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage effectively employs Contrast to highlight the varied responses to Paul's sermon. While the preceding verses describe some mocking and others deferring, this verse pivots to show genuine belief, emphasizing the selective yet powerful impact of the Gospel. Inclusivity is a prominent theme, demonstrated through the specific naming of Dionysius, a high-status male, and Damaris, a woman. This deliberate pairing showcases the universal appeal of the Gospel, transcending social, intellectual, and gender barriers, and foreshadows the diverse composition of the early church. The phrase "clave unto him" functions as a Metaphor, drawing on the imagery of something being "glued" or "stuck" together. It powerfully conveys the deep, inseparable commitment and adhesion of these new believers to Paul and the Christian message, signifying a bond far stronger than mere intellectual agreement.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 17:34 powerfully illustrates the sovereignty of God in salvation and the transformative power of the Gospel. Despite the intellectual hubris and spiritual indifference prevalent in Athens, God, in His grace, drew a remnant to Himself. The conversions of Dionysius and Damaris demonstrate that God's call is not limited by social status, intellectual prowess, or gender, but extends to all whom He has chosen. This highlights the truth that genuine belief is a work of the Holy Spirit, enabling individuals to respond in faith and commitment, even when the majority reject the message. The formation of this small group of believers signifies the establishment of the church in Athens, a testament to God's unwavering purpose to gather His people from every nation and background.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 17:34 offers profound encouragement and practical guidance for believers today. It reminds us that faithful proclamation of the Gospel, even in seemingly unreceptive environments, is never in vain. While mass conversions are wonderful, the Lord often works through individual transformations, drawing specific people to Himself, just as He did with Dionysius and Damaris. This should inspire us to persevere in sharing the good news, trusting that God will prepare hearts and bring forth fruit in His timing, even if the visible results are few. Furthermore, the diversity of these first converts in Athens challenges us to ensure our churches are truly welcoming and inclusive, reflecting the Gospel's universal appeal that transcends all human-made distinctions of status, intellect, or background. Our mission is to share the truth broadly, allowing the Holy Spirit to draw those He wills, and then to embrace them fully into the community of faith.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who was Dionysius the Areopagite, and why is his conversion significant?
Answer: Dionysius the Areopagite was a member of the Areopagus, which was the most prestigious judicial and legislative council in ancient Athens. Composed of former archons, this body held immense authority and was revered for its wisdom. His conversion is highly significant because it demonstrates that the Gospel message was able to penetrate the highest intellectual and social strata of Athenian society. It shows that God's truth can appeal to and transform even the most educated and influential individuals, underscoring the universal power and intellectual credibility of the Christian faith, as seen in Paul's reasoned discourse on Mars Hill.
Why is the mention of Damaris important in this verse?
Answer: The mention of Damaris, a woman, is crucial because it highlights the radical inclusivity of the early Christian community, particularly in a society like ancient Athens where women often had limited public roles and social standing. Her conversion, alongside a prominent male like Dionysius, demonstrates that the Gospel transcends gender and societal distinctions, welcoming all individuals into the community of faith as full and valued participants. This aligns with the New Testament's teaching that in Christ, there is neither male nor female, but all are one (Galatians 3:28). It underscores that the early church was a place where women were recognized and embraced for their faith and discipleship.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 17:34, though a seemingly small detail, vividly illustrates the ongoing fulfillment of Christ's mission to gather His elect from every corner of the earth. The conversions in Athens, particularly of a prominent intellectual and a woman, foreshadow the global and diverse nature of the church, which is the body of Christ. Just as Jesus declared that He would build His church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18), these Athenian believers represent the initial fruit of the Spirit's work in a sophisticated pagan city. Their act of "cleaving" and "believing" is a direct response to the resurrected Christ, whom Paul proclaimed as the appointed Judge of the world (Acts 17:31). Their faith is a testament to the power of the cross and resurrection, which breaks down all barriers—social, intellectual, and cultural—to unite people in Christ, making them new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Ultimately, these conversions point to Christ as the one true God, worthy of worship and faith, drawing all people to Himself as He promised (John 12:32).