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Text -- Acts 17:20 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
17:20 For you are bringing some surprising things to our ears, so we want to know what they mean.”
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: TRUTH | TROPHIMUS | THESSALONIANS, THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE | Paul | Mars' Hill | Curiosity | Athens | ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 8-12 | ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, 13-OUTLINE | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , JFB , Clarke , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Act 17:20 - -- For thou bringest certain strange things ( xenizonta gar tina eisphereis ). The very verb used by Xenophon ( Mem. I) about Socrates. Xenizonta is p...

For thou bringest certain strange things ( xenizonta gar tina eisphereis ).

The very verb used by Xenophon ( Mem. I) about Socrates. Xenizonta is present active neuter plural participle of xenizō and from xenos (Act 17:18), "things surprising or shocking us."

Robertson: Act 17:20 - -- We would know therefore ( boulometha oun gnōnai ). Very polite still, we wish or desire, and repeating gnōnai (the essential point).

We would know therefore ( boulometha oun gnōnai ).

Very polite still, we wish or desire, and repeating gnōnai (the essential point).

Vincent: Act 17:20 - -- Strange ( ξενίζοντα ) A participle: surprising. Compare 1Pe 4:4, 1Pe 4:12.

Strange ( ξενίζοντα )

A participle: surprising. Compare 1Pe 4:4, 1Pe 4:12.

JFB: Act 17:18-21 - -- A well-known school of atheistic materialists, who taught that pleasure was the chief end of human existence; a principle which the more rational inte...

A well-known school of atheistic materialists, who taught that pleasure was the chief end of human existence; a principle which the more rational interpreted in a refined sense, while the sensual explained it in its coarser meaning.

JFB: Act 17:18-21 - -- A celebrated school of severe and lofty pantheists, whose principle was that the universe was under the law of an iron necessity, the spirit of which ...

A celebrated school of severe and lofty pantheists, whose principle was that the universe was under the law of an iron necessity, the spirit of which was what is called the Deity: and that a passionless conformity of the human will to this law, unmoved by all external circumstances and changes, is the perfection of virtue. While therefore the Stoical was in itself superior to the Epicurean system, both were alike hostile to the Gospel. "The two enemies it has ever had to contend with are the two ruling principles of the Epicureans and Stoics--Pleasure and Pride" [HOWSON].

JFB: Act 17:18-21 - -- The word, which means "a picker-up of seeds," bird-like, is applied to a gatherer and retailer of scraps of knowledge, a prater; a general term of con...

The word, which means "a picker-up of seeds," bird-like, is applied to a gatherer and retailer of scraps of knowledge, a prater; a general term of contempt for any pretended teacher.

JFB: Act 17:18-21 - -- "demons," but in the Greek (not Jewish) sense of "objects of worship."

"demons," but in the Greek (not Jewish) sense of "objects of worship."

JFB: Act 17:18-21 - -- Not as if they thought he made these to be two divinities: the strange gods were Jehovah and the Risen Saviour, ordained to judge the world.

Not as if they thought he made these to be two divinities: the strange gods were Jehovah and the Risen Saviour, ordained to judge the world.

Clarke: Act 17:20 - -- Thou bringest - strange things to our ears - The doctrine of the apostles was different from any they had ever heard: it was wholly spiritual and di...

Thou bringest - strange things to our ears - The doctrine of the apostles was different from any they had ever heard: it was wholly spiritual and divine; thus it was strange: it was contrary to their customs and manners; and thus it was strange also. As it spoke much of the exaltation and glory of Jesus Christ, they supposed him to be a setter forth of strange gods: and, therefore, on the authority of the laws, which forbade the introduction of any new deities, or modes of worship, he was called before the Areopagus.

TSK: Act 17:20 - -- strange : Hos 8:12; Mat 19:23-25; Mar 10:24-26; Joh 6:60, Joh 7:35, Joh 7:36; 1Co 1:18, 1Co 1:23; 1Co 2:14; Heb 5:11; 1Pe 4:4 what : Act 2:12, Act 10:...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Act 17:20 - -- Certain strange things - Literally, something pertaining to a foreign country or people. Here it means something unusual or remarkable - someth...

Certain strange things - Literally, something pertaining to a foreign country or people. Here it means something unusual or remarkable - something different from what they had been accustomed to hear from their philosophers.

What these things mean - We would understand more clearly what is affirmed respecting Jesus and the resurrection.

Poole: Act 17:20 - -- The greatest objection which these men had against the gospel was, that it was strange and new. That it is not new was apparent, it having been in t...

The greatest objection which these men had against the gospel was, that it was strange and new. That it is not new was apparent, it having been in the Old Testament (as the ripe fruit is in the blossom) so long ago; and their own superstitions were but so many apish imitations of God’ s worship. And if these things were strange unto them, they might thank themselves, who had not made due inquiring after them; and had, by their not improving the light of nature, provoked God to withhold further manifestations unto them, Rom 1:24,28 .

Gill: Act 17:20 - -- For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears,.... Strange doctrines and strange deities, such as they had never heard of before: we would k...

For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears,.... Strange doctrines and strange deities, such as they had never heard of before:

we would know therefore what these things mean; they desire he would explain these things to them, and let them know the rise, and ground, and nature, and end, and design of them.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Act 17:20 Grk “these things”; but since the referent (“surprising things”) is so close, the repetition of “these things” sou...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Act 17:1-34 - --1 Paul preaches at Thessalonica, where some believe,5 and others persecute him.10 He is sent to Berea, and preaches there.13 Being persecuted by Jews ...

Combined Bible: Act 17:20 - --notes on verse 19     

MHCC: Act 17:16-21 - --Athens was then famed for polite learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; but none are more childish and superstitious, more impious, or more credulou...

Matthew Henry: Act 17:16-21 - -- A scholar that has acquaintance, and is in love, with the learning of the ancients, would think he should be very happy if he were where Paul now wa...

Barclay: Act 17:16-21 - --When he fled from Beroea, Paul found himself alone in Athens. But, with comrades or alone, Paul never stopped preaching Christ. Athens had long s...

Constable: Act 9:32--Rom 1:1 - --III. THE WITNESS TO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH 9:32--28:31 Luke next recorded the church's expansion beyond...

Constable: Act 16:6--19:21 - --C. The extension of the church to the Aegean shores 16:6-19:20 The missionary outreach narrated in this ...

Constable: Act 17:16--18:18 - --3. The ministry in Achaia 17:16-18:17 Luke recorded this section to document the advance of the ...

Constable: Act 17:16-21 - --Paul's preliminary ministry in Athens 17:16-21 17:16 Athens stood five miles inland from its port of Piraeus, which was on the Saronic Gulf of the Aeg...

College: Act 17:1-34 - --ACTS 17 9. The Visits at Amphipolis and Apollonia (17:1a) 1 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, After leaving Philippi Paul's st...

McGarvey: Act 17:19-21 - --19-21. Notwithstanding the contempt with which Paul was regarded by some of his hearers, he succeeded in arresting the serious attention of a few. (19...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES By Way of Introduction But for the Acts we should know nothing of the early apostolic period save what is told in the Epi...

JFB: Acts (Book Introduction) THIS book is to the Gospels what the fruit is to the tree that bears it. In the Gospels we see the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying: in...

JFB: Acts (Outline) INTRODUCTION--LAST DAYS OF OUR LORD UPON EARTH--HIS ASCENSION. (Act 1:1-11) RETURN OF THE ELEVEN TO JERUSALEM--PROCEEDINGS IN THE UPPER ROOM TILL PEN...

TSK: Acts (Book Introduction) The Acts of the Apostles is a most valuable portion of Divine revelation; and, independently of its universal reception in the Christian church, as an...

TSK: Acts 17 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Act 17:1, Paul preaches at Thessalonica, where some believe, Act 17:5, and others persecute him; Act 17:10, He is sent to Berea, and prea...

Poole: Acts 17 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 17

MHCC: Acts (Book Introduction) This book unites the Gospels to the Epistles. It contains many particulars concerning the apostles Peter and Paul, and of the Christian church from th...

MHCC: Acts 17 (Chapter Introduction) (Act 17:1-9) Paul at Thessalonica. (Act 17:10-15) The noble conduct of the Bereans. (Act 17:16-21) Paul at Athens. (Act 17:22-31) He preaches there...

Matthew Henry: Acts (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Acts of the Apostles We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy religion...

Matthew Henry: Acts 17 (Chapter Introduction) We have here a further account of the travels of Paul, and his services and sufferings for Christ. He was not like a candle upon a table, that give...

Barclay: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES A Precious Book In one sense Acts is the most important book in the New Testament. It is the simple truth t...

Barclay: Acts 17 (Chapter Introduction) In Thessalonica (Act_17:1-9) On To Beroea (Act_17:10-15) Alone In Athens (Act_17:16-21) A Sermon To The Philosophers (Act_17:22-31) The Reactions...

Constable: Acts (Book Introduction) Introduction Title The title "Acts of the Apostles" is very ancient. The Anti-Marcioni...

Constable: Acts (Outline) Outline I. The witness in Jerusalem 1:1-6:7 A. The founding of the church 1:1-2:46 ...

Constable: Acts Acts Bibliography Albright, William Foxwell. The Archaeology of Palestine. 1949. Revised ed. Pelican Archaeolog...

Haydock: Acts (Book Introduction) THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. INTRODUCTION. St. Luke, who had published his gospel, wrote also a second volume, which, from the first ages, hath bee...

Gill: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO ACTS This book, in some copies, is called, "The Acts of the holy Apostles". It contains an history of the ministry and miracles of ...

College: Acts (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION As early as the second century the title "The Acts of the Apostles" was given to this document. Before that time the work probably circu...

College: Acts (Outline) OUTLINE I. THE CHURCH IN JERUSALEM - 1:1-8:1a A. INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK - 1:1-3 B. THE COMMISSIONING OF THE APOSTLES - 1:4-8 C. THE ASCENSI...

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