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The Court of Ares (the God of war) is the supreme court of Athens. It has six judges who make
final decisions on philosophy. This court meets on Mars Hill near the Acropolis, by the
Parthenon.

Another temple, located at the bottom of the hill, is the Temple of the Furies. This Is the Place
where Socrates had been condemned and then gave his famous last speech, “The Apologia.”
Paul is now being asked about his doctrine before the six judges. Thousands of people on the
hill are listening and want to understand Paul’s teaching.

Act 17:20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know
what these things mean."

The judges speak for the philosophers and the people.

Act 17:21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing
else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.

(For all the Athenians [citizens] and strangers [tourists] which were there spent their time in
nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
This is an indication of their intellectual snobbery. They continually wait to hear the latest
philosophical ideas. They are novelty seekers, changing philosophies as often as some people
change clothing.

PAUL REASONS WITH GREEK PHILOSOPHERS (22-34)

Paul meets the Greek philosophers where they are by explaining that the “unknown god” they
worship is the true and living God. He shares the gospel message, including the resurrection of
the dead. Some mock, others want to hear more, and some receive the gospel.

FALSE “GODS”

Act 17:22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive
that in all things you are very religious;

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ Hill and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all
things you are too superstitious (deisidaimoneros: more religious).

This is the most shocking thing they have ever heard. They expect to be approached with the
unity, respect, and fear. But Paul tells them they have too much religion. They think the more
religions, the safer. They believe if they have many forms of religion, they are bound to hit the
right one at some point. Paul tells them their religion and form of life is a façade. These men
are stupid but think they are the intellectuals, yet Paul is the true intellectual. He sees the truth
of life and has the best grasp on right and wrong. These men have over 30,000 statues in
Athens dedicated to different gods, and Paul is the only one in the city who knows the true
God.