Definition: Then 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Acts 17:18. It’s a really interesting and complex verse that points to a significant moment in early Christianity! Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where people who were known for their philosophical ideas – specifically Epicureanism and Stoicism – were meeting with Jesus. And they started questioning him about his message, particularly about the idea of God. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics…” : This refers to groups of people who believed in a specific set of principles – like seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, or living according to reason and nature. They were deeply concerned with the nature of the universe. “…and some said, What will this babbler say?” : This is a critical question. “Babbler” means someone who speaks in riddles or makes outlandish claims. The people were puzzled by Jesus's teachings. “Other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.” : This is where it gets really interesting. They started interpreting Jesus’s words as pointing towards something beyond the ordinary – something like a god. They were seeing him as suggesting the existence of a divine being – specifically, the belief in God – through his teachings. The word "setter forth" means to introduce or present something new, and here, they were introducing a concept that wasn’t traditionally accepted. Crucially, they were also mentioning the resurrection - a very important concept in Jewish tradition. So, what's happening? The people weren't just confused; they were actively challenging Jesus's message. They believed he was trying to introduce a new and potentially dangerous idea – the existence of gods – which could disrupt their established worldview. Why is this important? This passage is a key part of how early Christians understood Jesus. It highlights that Jesus wasn’t just teaching about morality or good deeds; He was also challenging the very foundations of human belief. He was presenting a spiritual truth that went beyond what people already believed, and it created conflict with those who held traditional views. In essence: Jesus was deliberately creating a conversation that raised important questions about faith, doubt, and the nature of reality – which ultimately played a vital role in shaping the early Christian church. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss the context of this passage within the broader story of Jesus’s ministry? Explore what this encounter might have meant for the Jewish community at the time?