Acts 17:32
◄  Acts 17:32  ►
New International Version (©2011)
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject."

New Living Translation (©2007)
When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, "We want to hear more about this later."

English Standard Version (©2001)
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, "We shall hear you again concerning this."

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him. But others said, "We'd like to hear from you again about this."

International Standard Version (©2012)
When they heard about a resurrection of the dead, some began joking about it, while others said, "We will hear you again about this."

NET Bible (©2006)
Now when they heard about the resurrection from the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, "We will hear you again about this."

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
And when they heard of the resurrection from among the dead, some of them were mocking and some were saying, “We shall hear you another time about this.”

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
When the people of the court heard that a person had come back to life, some began joking about it, while others said, "We'll hear you talk about this some other time."

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear you again of this matter.

American King James Version
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear you again of this matter.

American Standard Version
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they had heard of the resurrection of the dead, some indeed mocked, but others said: We will hear thee again concerning this matter.

Darby Bible Translation
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, and some said, We will hear thee again also concerning this.

English Revised Version
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again concerning this matter.

Weymouth New Testament
When they heard Paul speak of a resurrection of dead men, some began to scoff. But others said, "We will hear you again on that subject."

World English Bible
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, "We want to hear you again concerning this."

Young's Literal Translation
And having heard of a rising again of the dead, some, indeed, were mocking, but others said, 'We will hear thee again concerning this;'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 32. - Now for and, A.V.; but for and, A.V.; concerning this yet again for again of this matter, A.V. Some mocked. Athenian skepticism could not accept so spiritual a truth as the resurrection of the dead; and Athenian levity of purpose deferred to another day the decisive step of accepting the salvation of the risen Savior, just as it had deferred resistance to Philip of Macedon till their liberties were gone and their country enslaved. (For "We will hear thee again," comp. Acts 24:25.)

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

When they heard of the resurrection of the dead,.... Of a certain man that the apostle said God had raised from the dead, though they knew not who he was:

some mocked; at him, and at the doctrine he preached: these very likely were of the Epicurean sect, who disbelieved a future state; though, as Tertullian observes (b), the doctrine of the resurrection was denied by every sect of the philosophers: it is a doctrine of pure revelation, and what the light of nature never taught men, and by which men being only guided, have declared against, and have treated it with the utmost ridicule and contempt. Pliny (c) reckons it, among childish fancies, and calls it vanity, and downright madness to believe it; as does also Caecilius in Minutius Felix (d), and who even calls it a lie, and places it among old wives' fables; and Celsus in Origen (e) represents it as exceeding detestable, abominable, and impossible.

And others said, we will hear thee again of this matter; some think these were of the Stoic sect, who held a future state, and that the soul would live after the body, and had some notions which looked inclining to this doctrine: however, these thought there might be something in what the apostle said; they could not receive it readily, and yet could not deny it; they were willing to take time to consider of it; and were desirous of hearing him again upon that subject; in which they might be very open and upright; and this might not be a mere excuse to shift off any further hearing at that time, like that of Felix, in Acts 24:1.

(b) De praescript. Heret. c. 7. p. 232. (c) Nat. Hist. l. 7. c. 55. (d) Octav. p. 10. (e) Contra Cals. l. 5. p. 240.

Wesley's Notes on the Bible

17:32 Some mocked - Interrupting him thereby. They took offence at that which is the principal motive of faith, from the pride of reason. And having once stumbled at this, they rejected all the rest.

Acts 17:32 Parallel Commentaries
Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Paul Before the Areopagus
…31Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead. 32And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear you again of this matter. 33So Paul departed from among them.

Acts 17:18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Acts 17:31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead."
Acts 17:33 At that, Paul left the Council.
1 Corinthians 15:12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?