Acts

Acts 17:23–30

²³For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.

²⁴The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. ²⁵Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. ²⁶From one man^d He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.

²⁷God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. ²⁸‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’^e As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’^f ²⁹Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.

³⁰Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.

Footnotes

d 17:26 Literally From one; BYZ and TR From one blood
e 17:28 This is probably a quote from the Cretan philosopher Epimenides of Knossos.
f 17:28 This is probably a quote from the poem “Phainomena” by the Cilician philosopher Aratus.

Read all of Acts 17

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Greek it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

Acts 17:23

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
For	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
as I walked around	διερχόμενος	dierchomenos	Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular	G1330 I pass through, spread a report
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
examined	ἀναθεωρῶν	anatheōrōn	Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G333 I look at attentively, consider
your	ὑμῶν	hymōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
objects of worship	σεβάσματα	sebasmata	Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural	G4574 an object of worship
I even found	εὗρον	heuron	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G2147 I find
an altar	βωμὸν	bōmon	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G1041 an altar
with	ᾧ	hō	Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular	G3739 who, which, what, that
this inscription	ἐπεγέγραπτο	epegegrapto	Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G1924 I write upon, inscribe
TO AN UNKNOWN	ΑΓΝΩΣΤΩ	AGNŌSTŌ	Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular	G57 unknown
GOD	ΘΕΩ	THEŌ	Noun - Dative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
Therefore	οὖν	oun	Conjunction	G3767 therefore, then
what	Ὃ	Ho	Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G3739 who, which, what, that
you worship	εὐσεβεῖτε	eusebeite	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural	G2151 I am dutiful, pious
as something unknown	ἀγνοοῦντες	agnoountes	Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural	G50 I do not know, am ignorant of
I	ἐγὼ	egō	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular	G1473 I
proclaim	καταγγέλλω	katangellō	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular	G2605 I declare openly, preach
to you	ὑμῖν	hymin	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you

Acts 17:24

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
The	Ὁ	Ho	Article - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3588 the
God	Θεὸς	Theos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
who	ὁ	ho	Article - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3588 the
made	ποιήσας	poiēsas	Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G4160 I do, make
the	τὸν	ton	Article - Accusative Masculine Singular	G3588 the
world	κόσμον	kosmon	Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular	G2889 the world, universe
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
everything	πάντα	panta	Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
in	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
it	αὐτῷ	autō	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
is	ὑπάρχων	hyparchōn	Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G5225 I am, exist, am in possession
Lord	Κύριος	Kyrios	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2962 lord, Lord, master, sir
of heaven	οὐρανοῦ	ouranou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G3772 the sky, the heaven
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
earth	γῆς	gēs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G1093 the earth, soil, land
not	οὐκ	ouk	Adverb	G3756 no, not
live	κατοικεῖ	katoikei	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G2730 I dwell in, settle in, inhabit
in	ἐν	en	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
temples	ναοῖς	naois	Noun - Dative Masculine Plural	G3485 a temple, shrine
made by	χειροποιήτοις	cheiropoiētois	Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural	G5499 done or made with hands

Acts 17:25

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Nor	οὐδὲ	oude	Conjunction	G3761 neither, nor, not even
is He served	θεραπεύεται	therapeuetai	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular	G2323 I care for, attend, serve, heal
by	ὑπὸ	hypo	Preposition	G5259 by, under, about
human	ἀνθρωπίνων	anthrōpinōn	Adjective - Genitive Feminine Plural	G442 belonging to human beings, human
hands	χειρῶν	cheirōn	Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural	G5495 a hand
as if He needed	προσδεόμενός	prosdeomenos	Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular	G4326 I want more
anything	τινος	tinos	Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Singular	G5100 any one, some one
He Himself	αὐτὸς	autos	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
gives	διδοὺς	didous	Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G1325 I offer, give
everyone	πᾶσι	pasi	Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
life	ζωὴν	zōēn	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G2222 life
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
breath	πνοὴν	pnoēn	Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular	G4157 breath, wind
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
everything	πάντα	panta	Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of

Acts 17:26

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
From	ἐξ	ex	Preposition	G1537 from out, out from among, from
one	ἑνὸς	henos	Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular	G1520 one
He made	ἐποίησέν	epoiēsen	Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G4160 I do, make
every	πᾶν	pan	Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
nation	ἔθνος	ethnos	Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular	G1484 a race, people, the Gentiles
of men	ἀνθρώπων	anthrōpōn	Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural	G444 a man, one of the human race
that they should inhabit	κατοικεῖν	katoikein	Verb - Present Infinitive Active	G2730 I dwell in, settle in, inhabit
the whole	παντὸς	pantos	Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
earth	γῆς	gēs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G1093 the earth, soil, land
and He determined	ὁρίσας	horisas	Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G3724 I define, determine, appoint, decree
appointed	προστεταγμένους	prostetagmenous	Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural	G4367 I instruct, command, appoint
times	καιροὺς	kairous	Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural	G2540 fitting season, opportunity, time
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
the	τὰς	tas	Article - Accusative Feminine Plural	G3588 the
boundaries	ὁροθεσίας	horothesias	Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural	G3734 a setting of boundaries, definite limit
of their	αὐτῶν	autōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
lands	κατοικίας	katoikias	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G2733 a dwelling, habitation

Acts 17:27

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
they would seek	ζητεῖν	zētein	Verb - Present Infinitive Active	G2212 I seek, search for, desire
perhaps	ἄρα	ara	Conjunction	G687 a particle asking a question, expecting a negative response
reach out for	ψηλαφήσειαν	psēlaphēseian	Verb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G5584 I feel, touch, handle, grope for
Him	αὐτὸν	auton	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
find	εὕροιεν	heuroien	Verb - Aorist Optative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G2147 I find
though	καί	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
He is	ὑπάρχοντα	hyparchonta	Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular	G5225 I am, exist, am in possession
not	οὐ	ou	Adverb	G3756 no, not
far	μακρὰν	makran	Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular	G3112 far away
from	ἀπὸ	apo	Preposition	G575 from, away from
each	ἑκάστου	hekastou	Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular	G1538 each, every one
one	ἑνὸς	henos	Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular	G1520 one
of us	ἡμῶν	hēmōn	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural	G1473 I

Acts 17:28

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
For	γὰρ	gar	Conjunction	G1063 for
in	Ἐν	En	Preposition	G1722 in, on, among
Him	αὐτῷ	autō	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular	G846 he, she, it, they, them, same
we live	ζῶμεν	zōmen	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural	G2198 I live
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
move	κινούμεθα	kinoumetha	Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural	G2795 I move, stir, excite
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
have our being	ἐσμέν	esmen	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural	G1510 I am, exist
As	ὡς	hōs	Adverb	G5613 as, like as, how, while, so that
some	τινες	tines	Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural	G5100 any one, some one
of your	ὑμᾶς	hymas	Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural	G4771 you
poets	ποιητῶν	poiētōn	Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural	G4163 a doer, performer, poet
have said	εἰρήκασιν	eirēkasin	Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural	G2046 I say, speak
We are	ἐσμέν	esmen	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural	G1510 I am, exist
offspring	γένος	genos	Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular	G1085 offspring, family, race, kind

Acts 17:29

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Therefore	οὖν	oun	Conjunction	G3767 therefore, then
being	ὑπάρχοντες	hyparchontes	Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural	G5225 I am, exist, am in possession
offspring	γένος	genos	Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular	G1085 offspring, family, race, kind
of God	Θεοῦ	Theou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
we should	ὀφείλομεν	opheilomen	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural	G3784 I owe, ought
not	οὐκ	ouk	Adverb	G3756 no, not
think	νομίζειν	nomizein	Verb - Present Infinitive Active	G3543 I think, suppose
that the	τὸ	to	Article - Accusative Neuter Singular	G3588 the
Divine Being	Θεῖον	Theion	Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular	G2304 divine
is	εἶναι	einai	Verb - Present Infinitive Active	G1510 I am, exist
like	ὅμοιον	homoion	Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular	G3664 like, similar to
gold	χρυσῷ	chrysō	Noun - Dative Masculine Singular	G5557 anything made of gold
or	ἢ	ē	Conjunction	G2228 or, than
silver	ἀργύρῳ	argyrō	Noun - Dative Masculine Singular	G696 silver as a metal
or	ἢ	ē	Conjunction	G2228 or, than
stone	λίθῳ	lithō	Noun - Dative Masculine Singular	G3037 a stone
an image formed	χαράγματι	charagmati	Noun - Dative Neuter Singular	G5480 sculpture, a stamp, sign
by man’s	ἀνθρώπου	anthrōpou	Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular	G444 a man, one of the human race
skill	τέχνης	technēs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G5078 art, skill, trade
and	καὶ	kai	Conjunction	G2532 and, even, also, namely
imagination	ἐνθυμήσεως	enthymēseōs	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G1761 inward thought, reflection, thoughts

Acts 17:30

English	Greek	Sounds like	Grammar	Word study
Although	μὲν	men	Particle	G3303 truly, indeed
God	Θεὸς	Theos	Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular	G2316 God, a god
overlooked	ὑπεριδὼν	hyperidōn	Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular	G5237 I overlook
the	τῆς	tēs	Article - Genitive Feminine Singular	G3588 the
ignorance	ἀγνοίας	agnoias	Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular	G52 ignorance
of	Τοὺς	Tous	Article - Accusative Masculine Plural	G3588 the
times	χρόνους	chronous	Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural	G5550 time, a particular time, season
He now commands	παραγγέλλει	parangellei	Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular	G3853 I notify, command, charge
all	πάντας	pantas	Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural	G3956 all, the whole, every kind of
people	ἀνθρώποις	anthrōpois	Noun - Dative Masculine Plural	G444 a man, one of the human race
everywhere	πανταχοῦ	pantachou	Adverb	G3837 everywhere
to repent	μετανοεῖν	metanoein	Verb - Present Infinitive Active	G3340 I repent, change my mind