And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
Parallel translations
- WEB Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”
- BSB When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”
- NKJV And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.”
- NASB Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, “We shall hear from you again concerning this.”
- NLT When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
At the mention of resurrection, some mocked while others wanted to hear more.
Overview
The resurrection, the heart of the gospel, divided the audience as it always does. Some scoffed, dismissing the idea of a bodily rising, while others remained open. The mixed response shows that the message of the risen Christ inevitably separates hearers, even as God uses it to call out those who will believe.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- Acts 26:8Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
- Acts 17:18Then 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.
- 2 Cor 6:2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
- 1 Cor 4:10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
- Acts 25:19But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
- Acts 24:25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
- Acts 2:13Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
- Heb 3:7–8Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
- Acts 17:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
- 2 Chr 36:16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
- Luke 14:18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
- Acts 26:24–25And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
- Acts 13:41Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
- 1 Cor 1:23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
- 2 Chr 30:9–11For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
- Luke 23:36And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
- Luke 23:11And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
- Luke 22:63And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.
- Heb 11:36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
- Heb 13:13Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
- Gen 19:14And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 17:32 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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