The philosophers' reaction reveals a profound misunderstanding: they dismiss Paul as a "babbler" for his challenging message, yet simultaneously, out of intellectual curiosity, label him a "preacher of foreign divinities" because they couldn't grasp the core of his message—Jesus and the resurrection. This highlights how the unfamiliar can be either contemptuously ignored or exoticized when its true meaning is missed.
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Paul walked through Athens, the intellectual heart of Greece, he encountered philosophers from two dominant schools: the Epicureans, who sought pleasure and believed the gods were uninvolved in human affairs, and the Stoics, who emphasized virtue and a detached acceptance of fate. These thinkers, representing the height of worldly wisdom, engaged Paul, some dismissing him with scorn as a mere "babbler," while others, intrigued by his message of Jesus and the resurrection, wondered if he was introducing foreign deities.
Paul landed in Athens, a city buzzing with intellectual debate. But the dominant philosophies of his day were a far cry from the Christian message.
Athens was home to two major philosophical schools: the Epicureans and the Stoics.
Epicureans:
Stoics:
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Both schools, though differing in their paths, ultimately missed the core of Paul's message: a personal God actively involved in history, offering salvation and a future resurrection.
When Paul spoke, the Athenian philosophers didn't just disagree; they mocked and misunderstood him. Their labels reveal their contempt and confusion.
The reactions Paul faced reveal a deep scorn for him and his message:
The 'Babbler' (Spermologos):
'Setter forth of strange gods' (Xenon Daimonion):
Despite the scorn, Paul focused on the non-negotiable heart of the gospel. What was so central about Jesus and the resurrection that it provoked such strong reactions?
Paul's preaching in Athens, though brief and met with resistance, centered on two foundational truths:
1. Jesus:
2. The Resurrection:
Understand the original words
spermologos · Greek Noun
A derogatory term for a babbler or a scavenger of ideas; one who picks up scraps of knowledge without understanding them. It expresses contempt for someone considered intellectually inferior.
daimonion · Greek Noun
Divine beings, gods, or deities. In the New Testament, the term often refers to the false gods of the pagan world.
anastasis · Greek Noun
The central hope of the Christian faith, representing the historical, bodily return of Jesus to life. It is the victory over sin and death and the guarantee of the believer's future glory.
The philosophers' reactions reveal Athens as a vibrant intellectual center where new ideas were debated, but also highlight the stark philosophical differences between the Greco-Roman worldview and the Christian message of Jesus and the resurrection.
c. 300 BC
Founding of Epicureanism and Stoicism
Epicurus establishes his school in Athens, focusing on pleasure and tranquility. Zeno of Citium founds Stoicism, emphasizing virtue, reason, and living in accordance with nature.
c. 1st Century BC - 1st Century AD
Dominance of Epicureanism and Stoicism
These two philosophical schools become the most influential in the Roman world, shaping intellectual discourse and attracting many adherents.
c. AD 40-50
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul travels extensively throughout the Roman Empire, spreading the Christian message and establishing churches.
c. AD 50-52— this verse
Paul in Athens
Paul visits Athens during his second missionary journey, engaging in discussions in the marketplace and synagogue.
c. AD 52
Paul's Speech on the Areopagus
Paul is invited to speak before the Athenian council on the Areopagus, where he directly addresses the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.
This passage highlights the 'scandal of the cross and the foolishness of God' to Greek philosophers, mirroring the reaction Paul faced in Athens from the Epicureans and Stoics who found his message of Jesus and the resurrection incomprehensible.
1 Corinthians 15:12This verse directly addresses the 'resurrection' issue that perplexed the Athenians, showing the foundational importance of Christ's resurrection to the early Christian message and the philosophical objections it raised.
Philippians 3:10Paul expresses his deep desire to 'know Christ and the power of his resurrection,' indicating that the resurrection was not just a historical event but a transformative power central to his own faith and preaching.
Romans 1:22This verse speaks of people becoming 'futile in their thinking' and their 'foolish hearts darkened' when they suppress the truth, which resonates with how the philosophers, despite their wisdom, rejected the truth of the resurrection.
Acts 4:2The Jewish leaders were 'greatly annoyed' by Peter and John preaching about Jesus and the resurrection, showing that opposition to this core message of Christianity was not unique to Greek philosophers but also a significant challenge within Jewish circles.
ellicottActs 17:18: "Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection."
(18) Certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks. —The two schools were at this time the great representatives of Greek thought. The former took its name from its founder, Epicurus, who lived a long and tranquil life at Athen…
pooleActs 17:18: "Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection."
Both these sects of philosophers were the most opposite to Christianity of all others: 1. The Epicureans (so called from one Epicurus) did generally deny, that the world was made, or that it is governed, by God; as also, that there were any…
The philosophers' reaction reveals a profound misunderstanding: they dismiss Paul as a "babbler" for his challenging message, yet simultaneously, out of intellectual curiosity, label him a "preacher of foreign divinities" because they couldn't grasp the core of his message—Jesus and the resurrection. This highlights how the unfamiliar can be either contemptuously ignored or exoticized when its true meaning is missed.
As Paul walked through Athens, the intellectual heart of Greece, he encountered philosophers from two dominant schools: the Epicureans, who sought pleasure and believed the gods were uninvolved in human affairs, and the Stoics, who emphasized virtue and a detached acceptance of fate. These thinkers, representing the height of worldly wisdom, engaged Paul, some dismissing him with scorn as a mere "babbler," while others, intrigued by his message of Jesus and the resurrection, wondered if he was introducing foreign deities.
As Paul walked through Athens, the intellectual heart of Greece, he encountered philosophers from two dominant schools: the Epicureans, who sought pleasure and believed the gods were uninvolved in human affairs, and the Stoics, who emphasized virtue and a detached acceptance of fate. These thinkers, representing the height of worldly wisdom, engaged Paul, some dismissing him with scorn as a mere "babbler," while others, intrigued by his message of Jesus and the resurrection, wondered if he was introducing foreign deities.
"Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection." — The philosophers' reaction reveals a profound misunderstanding: they dismiss Paul as a "babbler" for his challenging message, yet simultaneously, out of intellectual curiosity, label him a "preacher…
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Last reviewed October 2026
