Matthew Henry Commentary Acts 17:16-21

"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him. And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection. 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? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. (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 17:16-21 (ASV)

Athens was then famed for refined learning, philosophy, and the fine arts; yet no one is more childish, superstitious, impious, or credulous than some persons deemed eminent for learning and ability. It was wholly given to idolatry. The zealous advocate for the cause of Christ will be ready to plead for it in any company, as occasion offers.

Most of these learned men paid no attention to Paul; but some, whose beliefs were most directly contrary to Christianity, commented on him. The apostle always emphasized two points, which are indeed the principal doctrines of Christianity: Christ and a future state—Christ our way, and heaven our end. They regarded this as very different from the knowledge taught and professed in Athens for many ages; they desired to know more of it, but only because it was new and strange.

They led him to the place where judges who inquired into such matters sat. They asked about Paul's doctrine, not because it was good, but because it was new. Great talkers are always busybodies. They spend their time in nothing else, and a very uncomfortable account of their time will those have to give, who spend it in this way.

Time is precious, and we ought to use it well, because eternity depends upon it, but much time is wasted in unprofitable conversation.