Bible Strands
Acts 17:20
For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Athenian philosophers and resident foreigners at the Areopagus address Paul immediately upon his arrival, requesting clarification on his new teaching before he has begun his exposition.
The words — The Greek term ξενίζοντα (xenizonta) literally means "strange things," paired with εἰσφέρεις (eisphereis) for "you are bringing," describing the introduction of unfamiliar concepts into their hearing.
The thread — This pattern of receiving divine revelation as culturally unfamiliar or foolish runs through Hosea 8:12, 1 Corinthians 1:23, and 1 Corinthians 2:14.
Why it lands — The text records the listeners asking for clarification on unfamiliar concepts. This requires readers to acknowledge that spiritual messages often clash with existing worldviews before any theological conclusion is drawn.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
Cross-references
- Hosea 8:12 Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, they regarded them as something strange.
- 1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
- 1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
- 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
- 1 Peter 4:4 Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.
- Matthew 19:23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Mark 9:10 So they kept this matter to themselves, discussing what it meant to rise from the dead.
- Mark 10:24 And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
- John 6:60 On hearing it, many of His disciples said, “This is a difficult teaching. Who can accept it?”
- John 7:35 At this, the Jews said to one another, “Where does He intend to go that we will not find Him? Will He go where the Jews are dispersed among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?