And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof you speak, is?
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
To the Areopagus. In this place sat the Athenian judges: but some think that by this word may be here signified, some large hall or court, joining to the Areopagus, where all sorts of people met. (Witham)
The Areopagus was the supreme and most famous tribunal of all Greece, before which all great causes were tried. The persons who composed it were much renowned for their wisdom. Cicero, and many other Romans, were ambitious of the honour of being an Areopagite; but the power of Athens being now much diminished, this court had sunk in importance, and was now not much more than the shadow of a great name. (Calmet)
(a) The Athenians no longer enjoyed their own laws, but had become subject to the Romans. (g) (Then) why did they hale him to the Areopagus? Meaning to overawe him— (the place) where they held the trials for bloodshed. May we know, what is this new doctrine spoken of by you? For you bring certain strange things to our ears; we would fain know therefore what these things mean. For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.
not to punish, but in order to learn — to the Areopagus where the trials for murder were held. Thus observe, in hope of learning (they ask him), saying, May we know what is this new doctrine spoken of by you? For you bring certain strange matters to our ears
