As l passed by (διερχόμενος)

More strictly, "passing through (διά)" your city, or your streets.

Beheld (ἀναθεωρῶν)

Only here and Hebrews 13:7. Rev., much better, observed. The compound verb denotes a very attentive consideration (ἀνά and down, throughout).

Devotions (σεβάσματἀ)

Wrong. It means the objects of their worship - temples, altars, statues, etc.

An altar (βωμὸν)

Only here in New Testament, and the only case in which a heathen altar is alluded to. In all other cases θυσιαστήριον is used, signifying an altar of the true God. The Septuagint translators commonly observe this distinction, being, in this respect, more particular than the Hebrew scriptures themselves, which sometimes interchange the word for the heathen altar and that for God's altar. See, especially, Joshua 22, where the altar reared by the Transjordanic tribes is called βωμὸς as being no true altar of God (Joshua 22:10, Joshua 22:11, Joshua 22:16, Joshua 22:19, Joshua 22:23, Joshua 22:26, Joshua 22:34); and the legitimate altar, θυσιαστήριον (Joshua 22:19, Joshua 22:28, Joshua 22:29).

To the unknown God (ἀγνώστῳ Θεῷ)

The article is wanting. Render, as Rev., to an unknown God. The origin of these altars, of which there were several in Athens, is a matter of conjecture. Hackett's remarks on this point are sensible, and are borne out by the following words: "whom therefore," etc. "The most rational explanation is unquestionably that of those who suppose these altars to have had their origin in the feeling of uncertainty, inherent, after all, in the minds of the heathen, whether their acknowledgment of the superior powers was sufficiently full and comprehensive; in their distinct consciousness of the limitation and imperfection of their religious views, and their consequent desire to avoid the anger of any still unacknowledged god who might be unknown to them. That no deity might punish them for neglecting his worship, or remain uninvoked in asking for blessings, they not only erected altars to all the gods named or known among them, but, distrustful still lest they might not comprehend fully the extent of their subjection and dependence, they erected them also to any other god or power that might exist, although as yet unrevealed to them....Under these circumstances an allusion to one of these altars by the apostle would be equivalent to his saying to the Athenians thus: 'You are correct in acknowledging a divine existence beyond any which the ordinary rites of your worship recognize; there is such an existence. You are correct in confessing that this Being is unknown to you; you have no just conceptions of his nature and perfections.'"

Ignorantly (ἀγνοοῦντες)

Rather, unconsciously: not knowing. There is a kind of play on the words unknown, knowing not. Ignorantly conveys more rebuke than Paul intended.

Declare I((καταγγέλλω)

Compare καταγγελεὺς, setter-forth, in Acts 17:18. Here, again, there is a play upon the words. Paul takes up their noun, setter-forth, and gives it back to them as a verb. "You say I am a setter-forth of strange gods: I now set forth unto you (Rev.) the true God."

Acts 17:23 Parallel Commentaries

devotions. or, gods that ye worship.

Romans 1:23-25 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts...

1 Corinthians 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God...

TO.

Psalm 147:20 He has not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise you the LORD.

John 17:3,25 And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent...

Romans 1:20-22,28 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made...

1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God...

2 Corinthians 4:4-6 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ...

Galatians 4:8,9 However, then, when you knew not God, you did service to them which by nature are no gods...

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise...

1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true...

ignorantly.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:

Psalm 50:21 These things have you done, and I kept silence; you thought that I was altogether such an one as yourself: but I will reprove you...

Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

John 4:22 You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

John 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that honors me; of whom you say, that he is your God: