Acts 17:16-21 - Paul In Athens

¹⁶ Now while Paul was waiting for them [to arrive] in Athens, he was deeply stirred in his spirit when he saw the city so full of idols. ¹⁷ So, he debated in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing people [i.e., Gentile proselytes], as well as in the open shopping market with others who met with him there. ¹⁸ Also certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers approached him for discussion. Some asked, "What will this know-it-all have to say?" Others said, "He seems to be advocating [a belief in] some different gods." [They said this] because he was proclaiming Jesus and the resurrection [of the dead].

¹⁹ So, they led him to the Areopagus [i.e., an elevated assembly place called "the Hill of Mars"] and asked him, "Could we learn [more] about this new teaching you are speaking of? ²⁰ You are telling us some very unusual things and we would like to know what they mean." ²¹ (Now the local people of Athens, along with foreigners who lived there, spent [about] all their time telling about or listening to some new idea.)