Acts 17:32

‘Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We will hear you concerning this yet again.” '

Central to Paul's message had continually been the resurrection, and it was on this point that his hearers were divided. Some mocked at the idea (for previous mockery of the Apostles compare Acts 2:13). Others said that they wanted to hear more. We can compare the latter with those in Acts 13:42 where the Gentiles again had asked to hear more. We should not see such a request as simply a means of dismissing the truth. In Acts 13:42 it was certainly very genuine. The parallels between Acts 13:14 and Acts 17:16 have already been noted in the analysis introducing chapter 13. Both give detailed summary speeches made by Paul, both result in continuing interest among Gentiles (Acts 13:42; Acts 17:32), in both the response of the Jews is not described (Acts 13:42; Acts 17:17). However, with regard to that lack of mention of response we must always beware of reading in from silence, for otherwise we would assume no conversions in Cyprus at all where there is also no mention of response (Acts 13:5). It is Luke's practise to highlight what he wants to highlight, and to be silent otherwise. Here then also the non-mention of response need not be significant, and indeed Acts 17:34 may be intended to cover all.

So Athens in its wisdom is here seen as paralleling the rest of the world. The resurrection, proclaimed through the power of the Holy Spirit, is what has divided men from the beginning of the Apostolic ministry (Acts 2:24; Acts 3:15; Acts 3:26; Acts 4:10; Acts 5:31; Acts 10:40; Acts 13:30). It continues to do so, for it is central to the Christian message. It lies at the very heart of what the Good News is all about, salvation, and life, and hope. And only through belief in the resurrection (with its accompanying sacrificial death) can eternal life be found. It is that which divides up mankind.