Acts 17:32 Meaning: When the Resurrection Divides the Crowd
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”
And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again.
And having heard of a rising again of the dead, some, indeed, were mocking, but others said, `We will hear thee again concerning this;'
And when they heard [of the] resurrection of the dead, some mocked, and some said, We will hear thee again also concerning this.
Meaning in one sentence
When Paul spoke of the resurrection at the Areopagus, some mocked while others wanted to hear more. The gospel divides, but some believe.
Context
Paul stood before the Areopagus council in Athens, the city known for its philosophers and endless debates. He had connected with his audience by quoting their own poets and speaking of the unknown God they already worshipped. But when he reached the point of the resurrection of the dead from his speech, the polite listening stopped. Some in the crowd began to jeer, likely the Epicureans, who saw no life beyond this one. Others, probably Stoics who had some belief in a future state, said they wanted to hear him again on the subject. The meeting broke up before Paul could finish. Yet the chapter ends with a small group who believed, including Dionysius, a member of the council, and a woman named Damaris.
Key Words
Two Greek words capture the crisis of this moment. The verb for mocked is chleuazō, which appears only here in the New Testament. It means to sneer, to treat something as a joke. The tense shows ongoing action: they began mocking and kept at it. This wasn't polite disagreement. It was laughter meant to shut down the conversation. The other key word is resurrection, anastasis, literally, a standing up again. For Greeks who believed the body was a prison for the soul, the idea of a body being raised forever did not sound like good news. It sounded absurd or even repulsive. Paul's hearers could not simply add this to their beliefs. It demanded a complete rethinking of everything they held to be true. That is why the response split so sharply: some found it laughable, others intriguing enough to want to hear more.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen in this verse a picture of how the gospel divides. Matthew Henry (Reformed) wrote that the pride of the philosophers prevented them from accepting the resurrection, it seemed ridiculous to them. Adam Clarke (Methodist) noted that Paul's speech was cut short before he could fully explain salvation through Christ. John Calvin (Reformed) observed the hardness of those who mocked but also celebrated the fruit among a few hearers. Albert Barnes (Protestant) explained that Epicureans would naturally deride the resurrection while Stoics, who believed in a future state, might find it worth exploring. Despite different emphases, these commentators agree: the resurrection was the point where the gospel either offended or attracted, and the mixed response reminds us that the seed of God's word falls on different kinds of soil.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading assumes that the group who said they would hear Paul again were simply making a polite excuse to be rid of him, exactly as Felix did in Acts 24. In fact, the Greek phrasing suggests a genuine intention, though no later meeting is recorded. The text does not dismiss their interest as insincere, it leaves the outcome open. Some, like Dionysius and Damaris, did believe. So the verse records not total rejection but a spectrum: mockery, deferral, and the beginning of faith.
Living This Out
This week you may talk about your hope in Christ's resurrection. Not everyone will receive it warmly. Some may laugh, treating your faith as naive. Others may say they want to hear more but never follow up. Don't let the mockers discourage you, Paul kept speaking despite the jeers. And don't write off the curious as insincere. Be ready to speak again when the chance comes. Your patience and availability may be the bridge someone needs. Even in Athens, a place proud of its wisdom, the gospel found a foothold.
Main takeaway: The resurrection of Jesus divides every audience, but God always preserves a remnant who believe.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When Paul told people that Jesus came back to life, some laughed because they didn't think it could happen. But others wanted to hear more. You can always ask big questions about Jesus, He welcomes them.
For ages 9, 12
Paul was talking to the smartest people in Athens. When he said God raised Jesus from the dead, some started laughing and making fun. But others were curious and said, 'Tell us more another time.' Paul left without finishing, but some people from the crowd believed, including an important judge named Dionysius and a woman named Damaris. Even when people laugh at what you believe, the message isn't wasted. God always has hearts ready to receive it.
Questions People Ask
Why did the Athenians mock Paul when he mentioned the resurrection?
The Greek philosophers, especially the Epicureans, believed only in the present life. The idea of a body being raised from the dead seemed absurd to them. They mocked to shut down the conversation.
What did the Stoics believe about the resurrection?
The Stoics believed the soul survived death but did not expect a bodily resurrection. However, they were more open than the Epicureans to hearing Paul further, which is why some said they would hear him again.
Did Paul ever preach again to those who wanted to hear more?
The Bible does not record another meeting. Paul left Athens soon after and went to Corinth. Some commentators think the 'hear again' response may have been a polite way to end the conversation without committing.
Did anyone from the Areopagus believe Paul's message?
Yes, Acts 17:34 says Dionysius the Areopagite (a member of the council), a woman named Damaris, and others believed. The resurrection message was not completely rejected.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study