Mars Hill Sermon Explained on Mars Hill

In Acts 17, St. Paul famously stands on Mars Hill, or the Areopagus, to speak to a Greek crowd about Jesus. What is the historical context of this passage?
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[@hermannaxelschatte2364]

Historical contexts are crucial in interpretation of ancient text. Good point.

[@tribudeuno]

I was wondering if there is a reason that you left out the mention of Paul's looking at the altar to "The Unknown God", and his actually quoting of the Greek poet/prophet, Epimenides. That Paul knew that the people who he was speaking to would have known the story of when there was a plague in Athens that decimating the population. I forget why he in particular was called for, but Epimenides was called for from the isle of Crete. When Epimenides arrived, and checked out the situation, with all the altars to various gods that sacrifices were being made to, he informed them that it was obvious that a sacrifice needed to be made to a god they didn't know about. He told the people to make an altar, and to get a flock together of both white and black sheep for sacrifice. I believe the story includes a command to not feed the sheep. The morning of the sacrifice, Epimenides gave the command to release the sheep, and to mark the sheep that didn't start to graze, but just sat down. Everyone one thought that since the sheep hadn't been allowed to graze, they would all begin to do so. But one by one, they began to plop themselves down. He then commanded that those that sat down had been chosen by the unknown god to be sacrificed. After the sacrifice was done, the plague was immediately broken. The stone masons asked what name should be placed on the altar, and Epimenides said that it was obvious that the god did not want to be known yet, so they should put "To The Unknown God". When Paul spoke about the god in whom we live and move and have our being, he was quoting from Epimenides...

[@tomkot]

Thank you for this comment, that is very interesting. What is the original source of that story? And you are right, talking about the Areopagus sermon without mentioning the unknown god misses something essential.

[@tribudeuno]

@@tomkot ... I believe that the book that I received this story is Eternity In Their Hearts by Don Richardson...

[@muhindojehoiadapatience4455]

@@tribudeuno where can I find it

[@tribudeuno]

@@muhindojehoiadapatience4455 ... I have no idea if the book is still in print or not. You might ask at the US Center for World Missions, since the book had a profound affect upon that organization, upon its approach. The old fashioned missionaries would often approach a foreign culture by imposing their own culture. But the approach set by Richardson's book was to look for "eternity in their hearts", the presupposition that God had prepared a people to receive the gospel through their own set of beliefs and legends...

[@MyNameIsCain]

Another fantastic video, and exceptionally thought provoking.

[@Crispylaff]

Glad I found you ! I just keep clicking on more of your videos. Making me think and imagine. Thank you ❤️

[@zacharytaylor1111]

Really great video. In addition to the thought-provoking material I appreciated the music and professional quality of the audio and video. It looks great Andrew.

[@wendyleeconnelly2939]

I'm watching this year's later. I agree except for the music. The best thing about the music is it is pretty low. I'm glad most KZbinrs no longer add background music to their videos as it's distracting.

[@burnedbread4691]

Wait a minute - if the Areopagus at the time was just a homicide court as you say... Could that mean that they hear Paul talking about a resurrection and the Areopagus administrators entertain that thought and think that they might have to overturn a previous murser sentence on the account of the victim being risen from the dead? Oe a less loony version, they assume that Paul thinks a resurrection has happened but really think that someone previously presumed dead has turned alive?

[@bryanbridges2987]

Your videos are an amazing resource. Keep up the good (religiously neutral) work!

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

+Bryan Bridges Thanks! The neutrality is important to me and this channel.

[@ThomasFackrell]

I really like your videos! They're super interesting! Did you study religion or possibly history in college?

[@ReligionForBreakfast]

Ancient history in college. Religious studies in graduate school!

[@yeoberry]

Paul's speech before the philosophers is an example of his evangelism to the Greeks and the speech reflects the ideas found in his letters, such as general revelation.

[@marktaylor6581]

I love your videos. My only suggestion would be to please slow down a bit. I’m Southern.

[@jamesrussell2936]

i wish i had hair like yours

[@NuisanceMan]

You didn't do the video on Mars! I want my money back!

[@tedtimmis8135]

Sorry but on this one I think you can’t see the forest through the trees.

[@theden-jimdill7037]

Luke is considered a first class historian. The explanation of the sermon on Mars Hill being a complete fabrication seems far fetched and convoluted. I think someone read one too many critical Bible commentaries. Time and time again, Luke has been proven to be correct, over and against Bible critics. You don't have to believe in Biblical inerrancy to keep from sinking in the quagmire of the shifting sands of relativism, but you at least need firm footing. I recommend FF Bruce, Craig Keener, Darrell Bock or David Peterson.

[@SirAnthonyChirpsALot]

At many times in the gospel, Luke's chronology differs with Mark and Matthew, eg does Jesus heal Simon's mother-in-law and then recruit Simon (Luke) or vice versa (Mark, Matthew). Should we trust Luke over Mark and Matthew because he is the historian, or should we trust Mark and Matthew since they agree with each other? Either way, they can't be both right.

[@mntmedia]

Paul was very clear about how he approached the Athenians in the Bible text. Either you believe it or you don't.

[@pursuingpeas8236]

One of my favorite parts of the Bible

[@bryanpratt5850]

So you believe modern historians more than the Bible?

[@whiteegretx]

He does and so do I

[@joshuabader8560]

Very good video, but as you've said you don't study the Bible, you study religions. Luke (the God inspired writer of Acts) said in acts 17.21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) according to the KJV which would indicate that you are wrong @ReligionForBreakfast

[@Phanatik82]

Joshua Bader amen!

[@TeethToothman]

🦷🧿🦷

[@Wongtsunqui]

Why paul speak in areopagus... Maybe because he is Benjamin tribe....what??? If you want to know more read judge 21

[@TheMountAndBladerX10]

sorry, i cant quite make the connection. could you elaborate?

[@jackwittenbrink1354]

Slow down when you talk!

[@JaysonT1]

Speed up your listening

[@raptureready6002]

Your right. Talks way to fast

[@richardkuhn8057]

Luke, the author is Luke

[@sargondp69]

... more garbage from the high temple of materialism. Paul gave the speech and what he and Luke were saying is very clear. The sermon is not explained here at all.

[@michaelmilne9914]

Too bad you don't know the Biblical context better and instead pick and chose some secular history sources only. Previous to speaking here Paul was evangelising in the marketplace, which the Hill overlooks. It would make sense that the town "elders" would have as a meeting place that overlooks the main marketplace. That marketplace also contained philosopher "schools" and a "porch" where philosophies were publicly debated. So Paul was in this marketplace. To get to Mars Hill was not the current tourist stairs and path but a winding trail up the steep hill from the marketplace. There are trails still there, some of which are well worn and could have been the natural route Paul would have taken. Off to one side of the steep ascent is a less steep area, an area where there may have been small statues to other Gods. This is a possible truth to surmise because one of the oldest churches, more a chapel, in Greece is built in this area, a practice the early church did of building over pagan sites. Reaching the top of the hill by a market path you are immediately in the "stage" section of a natural amphitheatre. The town elders would be in the "audience". It is here Paul delivers his speech, using the style of the market philosophers. The Parthenon, the temple of Athena and other gods would be in Paul's view behind the elders.

[@michaeljay4816]

Just a bit silly…

[@DerekMatthewCoverSongs]

Mannn . Why do things have to be so complicated . Jesus died to save all . Believe by faith and receive the free gift of salvation . Let him transform you from there . Establish relationship . He fulfilled the law . Thanks Jesus. You are the game changer .

[@nolives]

Derek Matthew jesus did save all. You dont "chose". "No one is choosing God no not one". "You are saved by grace, which is NOT OF YOURSELF". Yeshua "saved all,but each in His own class". After the next two eons is where everyone will be ressurected.