Acts 17:16-21

Paul and the Athenian Philosophers

While he waited, Paul apparently toured the city and discovered it was totally given over to idolatry. This provoked, or one might say angered, him. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and devout Greeks of the city. He also discussed the gospel with those he met in the marketplace. This drew the attention of certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, some of whom decided they wanted what the "babbler" had to say, while others thought he was talking about foreign gods.

They did take hold of the apostle in a non-threatening way and brought him to the Areopagus, or Mars Hill, to present his new philosophy. Coffman notes that Mars was the mythical god of war. One story had it that he was tried on Mars Hill for the murder of one of Neptune's sons. Interestingly, a messenger for the true Prince of Peace was placed in that spot so that curious philosophers might hear something new (Acts 17:16-21).