Acts 17 · Verse 32

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.

Acts 17:32, King James Version

Acts 17:32 in other translations

BSB	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.”
WEB	Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”
ASV	Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again.
YLT	And having heard of a rising again of the dead, some, indeed, were mocking, but others said, ‘We will hear thee again concerning this;'
DARBY	And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, and some said, We will hear thee again also concerning this.
BBE	Now on hearing about the coming back from death, some of them made sport of it, but others said, Let us go more fully into this another time.
Webster	And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again concerning this matter.

What does Acts 17:32 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 17:32-34

32-34. when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked--As the Greek religion was but the glorification of the present life, by the worship of all its most beauteous forms, the Resurrection, which presupposes the vanity of the present life, and is nothing but life out of the death of all that sin has blighted, could have no charm for the true Greek. It gave the death blow to his fundamental and most cherished ideas; nor until these were seen to be false and fatal could the Resurrection, and the Gospel of which it was a primary doctrine, seem otherwise than ridiculous. others said, We will hear thee again of this--"an idle compliment to Paul and an opiate to their consciences, such as we often meet with in our own day. They probably, like Felix, feared to hear more, lest they should be constrained to believe unwelcome truths" (Ac 24:25; and compare Mt 13:15) [Webster and Wilkinson].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 32. Some mocked. Some of the philosophers derided him. It was believed by none of the Greeks; it seemed incredible; and they regarded it as so absurd as not to admit of an argument. It has not been uncommon for even professed philosophers to mock at the doctrines of religion, and to meet the arguments of Christianity with a Sneer. The Epicureans particularly would be likely to deride this, as they denied altogether any future state. It is not improbable that this derision by the Epicureans produced such a disturbance as to break off Paul's discourse, as that of Stephen had been by the clamour of the Jews, Acts 7:54.

And others said. Probably some of the Stoics. The doctrine of a future state was not denied by them; and the fact, affirmed by Paul, that one had been raised up from the dead, would appear more plausible to them, and it might be a matter worth inquiry to ascertain whether the alleged fact did not furnish a new argument for their views. They, therefore, proposed to examine this further at some future time. That the inquiry was prosecuted any further does not appear probable; for,

(1.) no church was organized at Athens.

(2.) There is no account of any future interview with Paul.

(3.) He departed almost immediately from them, Acts 18:1. Men who defer inquiry on the subject of religion seldom find the favourable period arrive. Those who propose to examine its doctrines at a future time, often do it to avoid the inconvenience of becoming Christians now; and as a plausible and easy way of rejecting the gospel altogether, without appearing to be rude, or to give offence.

(a) "some mocked" Acts 26:8 (+) "mocked" "scoffed" (b) "of this matter" Lk 14:18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 32 When they heard of the resurrection, etc. - Paul undoubtedly had not finished his discourse: it is likely that he was about to have proclaimed salvation through Christ crucified; but, on hearing of the resurrection of the body, the assembly instantly broke up; the Epicureans mocking, εχλευαζον, began to laugh; and the Stoics saying they would take another opportunity to hear him on that subject. And thus the assembly became dissolved before the apostle had time to finish his discourse, or to draw all the conclusions he had designed from the premises he had laid down. St. Stephen's discourse was interrupted in a similar manner. See Act 7:54, and the note there.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 17:32-34

The apostle was treated with more outward civility at Athens than in some other places; but none more despised his doctrine, or treated it with more indifference. Of all subjects, that which deserves the most attention gains the least. But those who scorn, will have to bear the consequences, and the word will never be useless. Some will be found, who cleave to the Lord, and listen to his faithful servants. Considering the judgement to come, and Christ as our Judge, should urge all to repent of sin, and turn to Him. Whatever matter is used, all discourses must lead to Him, and show his authority; our salvation, and resurrection, come from and by Him.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 17:32 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἈκούσαντεςAkousantesHaving heard ofG191

δὲdenowG1161

ἀνάστασινanastasina resurrectionG386

νεκρῶνnekrōnof [the] deadG3498

οἱhoisomeG3588

μὲνmenindeedG3303

ἐχλεύαζον,echleuazonwere mocking [him],G5512

οἱhoisomeG3588

δὲdehoweverG1161

εἶπαν·eipansaid;G2036

ἀκουσόμεθάakousomethaWe will hearG191

σουsouyouG4771

περὶpericoncerningG4012

τούτουtoutouthisG3778

πάλιν.palinagain.G3825

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 17:32

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?
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.)
1 Corinthians 4:10
We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
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.
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.
Acts 26:24-25
And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
Luke 14:18
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
Hebrews 3:7-8
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
2 Chronicles 36:16
But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

some.
18; 2:13; 13:41; 25:19; 26:8,24,25; Ge 19:14; 2Ch 30:9-11; 36:16
Lu 22:63; 23:11,36; 1Co 1:23; 4:10; Heb 11:36; 13:13
We will.
24:25; Lu 14:18; 2Co 6:2; Heb 3:7,8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

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.
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.
Acts 17:33
So Paul departed from among them.

Read all of Acts 17

Acts 17:32 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y así como oyeron de la resurrección de los muertos, unos se burlaban, y otros decían: Te oiremos acerca de esto otra vez.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Mais quand ils entendirent parler de la résurrection des morts, les uns s’en moquaient, et les autres disaient: Nous t’entendrons encore sur ce sujet.
German Elberfelder 1871	Als sie aber von Totenauferstehung hörten, spotteten die einen, die anderen aber sprachen: Wir wollen dich darüber auch nochmals hören.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Cum audissent autem resurrectionem mortuorum, quidam quidem irridebant, quidam vero dixerunt: Audiemus te de hoc iterum.