Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 17:19

"And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by thee?" — Acts 17:19 (ASV)

And brought him unto Areopagus. A marginal note identifies it as Mars' hill. This was the place or court where the Areopagites, the celebrated supreme judges of Athens, assembled. It was on a hill almost in the middle of the city, but nothing now remains by which we can determine the form or construction of the tribunal.

The hill is almost entirely a mass of stone and is not easily accessible, as its sides are steep and abrupt. For many reasons, this was the most celebrated tribunal in the world. Its decisions were distinguished for justice and correctness, nor was there any court in Greece in which so much confidence was placed.

This court had jurisdiction over murders, impiety, and immoralities; they punished vices of all kinds, including idleness; they rewarded the virtuous. They were particularly attentive to blasphemies against the gods and to the performance of the sacred mysteries of religion. It was, therefore, very appropriate that Paul was questioned before this tribunal, as he was regarded as a setter forth of strange gods and was suspected of wanting to introduce a new mode of worship. See Potter's Antiquities of Greece, Book 1, Chapter 19; and Travels of Anacharsis, Volume 1, pages 136, 185; Volume 2, pages 292–295.

May we know. We wish to know. This seems to have been a respectful inquiry, and it does not appear that Paul was brought there for the sake of trial. There were no accusations, no witnesses, and none of the forms of trial.

They seem to have gathered there because it was the place where religious subjects were usually discussed and because it was a meeting point for the citizens, judges, and wise men of Athens, as well as foreigners.

The purpose seems to have been not to try him, but to fairly examine the claims of his doctrines . It was simply an instance of the inquisitive spirit of the Athenian people, who were willing to hear before they condemned and to examine before they approved.