Acts 17:32 Meaning and Explanation
“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →At the mention of resurrection some mock Paul, while others say they will hear him again.
What Does Acts 17:32 Mean?
Resurrection is the breaking point. Greek thought could welcome a soul surviving death, but a body raised from the grave sounded absurd to Athenian ears; so some of Paul's hearers mock outright, while others politely postpone: "we will hear thee again of this matter."
The gospel always divides its hearers, and the line runs exactly here, at the risen body of Jesus. Mockery is one refusal; endless deferral is a quieter one, for "again" has a way of never arriving. Yet the sermon was not wasted, as the closing verses show. God's word does its work in its own time -- and the wise hearer answers while the matter is warm, today rather than someday.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 17:32
What does Acts 17:32 mean?
At the mention of resurrection some mock Paul, while others say they will hear him again.