Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”
Parallel translations
- KJV And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
- 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 is it judged incredible with you, if God does raise the dead?
- Acts 17:18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
- 2 Cor 6:2for he says, “At an acceptable time I listened to you, in a day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.
- 1 Cor 4:10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.
- Acts 25:19but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
- Acts 24:25As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”
- Acts 2:13Others, mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.”
- Heb 3:7–8Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you will hear his voice,
- Acts 17:31because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.”
- 2 Chr 36:16but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until Yahweh’s wrath arose against his people, until there was no remedy.
- Luke 14:18They all as one began to make excuses. “The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please have me excused.’
- Acts 26:24–25As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”
- Acts 13:41‘Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which you will in no way believe, if one declares it to you.’”
- 1 Cor 1:23but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,
- 2 Chr 30:9–11For if you turn again to Yahweh, your brothers and your children will find compassion before those who led them captive, and will come again into this land, because Yahweh your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”
- Luke 23:36The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar,
- Luke 23:11Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate.
- Luke 22:63The men who held Jesus mocked him and beat him.
- Heb 11:36Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.
- Heb 13:13Let us therefore go out to him outside of the camp, bearing his reproach.
- Gen 19:14Lot went out, and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters, and said, “Get up! Get out of this place, for Yahweh will destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be joking.
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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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