Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 17:21

"(Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.)" — Acts 17:21 (ASV)

For all the Athenians. This was their general character.

And strangers who were there. Athens was greatly distinguished for the renown of its schools of philosophy. It was at that time at the head of the literary world. Its arts and its learning were celebrated in all lands. It is known, therefore, that it was the favored resort of men of other nations, who came there to become acquainted with its institutions and to listen to its sages.

Spent their time in nothing else. The learned and subtle Athenians devoted themselves much to speculation and employed themselves in examining the various new systems of philosophy that were proposed. Strangers and foreigners who were there, having much leisure, would also devote themselves to the same inquiries.

But either to tell or to hear some new thing. (The Greek is kainoteron, meaning something newer.) This referred to the latest news or the most recent subject of inquiry. This is well known to have always been the character of the Athenian people. Many ancient writers testify to the talkativeness, curiosity, and excessive desire for novelty among the Athenians, which led them to inquire about all things—even those in which they had no interest, whether public or private. —Kuinoel

Thus Thucydides (3.38) says of them, "You excel in allowing yourselves to be deceived with novelty of speech." On this, the old Scholiast remarks, almost in Luke’s words: "He (Thucydides) here blames the Athenians, who care for nothing else but to tell or to hear something new." Similarly, Aelian (15.13) says of the Athenians that they are quick to embrace novelties.

Demosthenes also portrays the Athenians as "inquiring in public gathering places if there were any NEWS?" ti neōteron. Furthermore, Meursius has shown that there were more than three hundred public meeting spots in Athens where prominent young men and reputable citizens customarily met for conversation and inquiry.