Definition: And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, [is]?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Acts 17:19. It’s a really interesting and slightly mysterious passage! Here's my explanation in simple terms: The Basic Situation: Paul is traveling through the wilderness. He’s been preaching about Jesus Christ and his teachings – basically, he’s trying to share the good news of salvation. He encounters a group of shepherds. These shepherds are living a quiet, secluded life in a small area. They're talking about a new belief system: They’re discussing a specific teaching or doctrine that Paul is explaining – something that involves God and His plan for humanity. What’s the Verse Saying? “And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, [is] ?” “They took him” : This suggests a deliberate action – they were deliberately bringing Paul to this specific location. “unto Areopagus” : Areopagus is a small village located in the wilderness. It's a place of seclusion and isolation. “saying, May we know what this new doctrine, [is] ?” This is the key part. They’re asking Paul to understand something he’s just introduced – a new belief or understanding about God and His plan. What's the Meaning? This verse is a little ambiguous, but it suggests several possibilities: A New Teaching: Paul was explaining a new idea – perhaps a specific way of understanding God's purpose for humanity. Confusion & Need for Understanding: The shepherds were confused about this new doctrine and needed to have someone explain it to them. They wanted to know what this new belief is. Overall, it’s a snapshot of Paul’s ministry – he’s sharing his message, but also acknowledging that people might need clarification. --- To help me give you an even better explanation, could you tell me: What kind of background knowledge about the Bible do you have? (e.g., are you familiar with the story of Paul's journey?) Are you curious about the context of this verse in the larger story of the Bible?