Acts 17:20

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ξενίζοντα γάρ τινα εἰσφέρεις εἰς τὰς ἀκοὰς ἡμῶν: βουλόμεθα οὖν γνῶναι τί ἂν θέλοι ταῦτα εἶναι.

Transliteration

Xenizonta gar some things you eisphereis to the akoas of us: we boulometha oun to gnōnai what an theloi these things to einai.

Grammar Details

*Xenizonta*: present active participle, accusative plural neuter - strange/foreign
*gar*: postpositive conjunction - for
*eisphereis*: present active indicative, 2nd person singular - you bring in
*akoas*: accusative plural feminine - ears/hearing
*boulometha*: present middle indicative, 1st person plural - we wish/want
*oun*: inferential particle - therefore
*gnōnai*: aorist active infinitive - to know
*an*: particle - would/might (with potential optative)
*theloi*: present active optative, 3rd person singular - might mean/would be
*einai*: present active infinitive - to be

Word Meanings

*Xenizonta*: strange/foreign/surprising
*eisphereis*: bring in/introduce/present
*akoas*: ears/hearing
*boulometha*: wish/want/desire
*gnōnai*: to know/understand
*theloi*: might mean/would be/could signify

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Hos 8:12 : 12 I wrote for him the ten thousand things of my law; but they are counted as a strange thing.
1 Pet 4:4 : 4 wherein {G3739} they think it strange that ye run not with [them] into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of [you]:
Matt 19:23-25 : 23 And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mark 9:10 : 10 And they kept the saying, {G4314} questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean.
Mark 10:24-26 : 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they were astonished exceedingly, saying unto him, Then who can be saved?
John 6:60 : 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when the heard [this], said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it?
John 7:35-36 : 35 The Jews therefore said among themselves, Whither will this man go that we shall not find him? will he go unto the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What is this word that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me; and where I am, ye cannot {G1410} come?
Acts 2:12 : 12 And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Acts 10:17 : 17 Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what {G302} the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, {G2532} stood before the gate,
1 Cor 1:18 : 18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish {G3303} foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor 1:23 : 23 but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews {G3303} a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness;
1 Cor 2:14 : 14 Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he {G3756} cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.
Heb 5:11 : 11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Acts 17:18-19
2 verses
87%
18And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What {G302} would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached {G846} Jesus and the resurrection.
19And 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 17:21-23
3 verses
85%
21(Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning {G3588} there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.)
22And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that ye are very religious.
23For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you.
Acts 28:21-22
2 verses
78%
21And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee.
22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.
Acts 2:11-12
2 verses
74%
11Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.
12And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Acts 14:15
72%
15and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
Acts 19:39-40
2 verses
72%
39But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.
40For indeed we are in danger {G2532} to be accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause [for] [it]: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.
Acts 21:22
71%
22What is it therefore? They will certainly {G4905} {G1063} hear that thou art come.
Acts 19:32
71%
32Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not {G5101} wherefore they were come together.
Acts 2:6-8
3 verses
70%
6And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language.
7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, {G240} {G4314} {G240} Behold, are not all these that speak Galilaeans?
8And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born?
Acts 16:20-21
2 verses
70%
20and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans.
Acts 19:37
70%
37For ye have brought [hither] these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.
Job 15:9
70%
9What knowest thou, that we know not? What understandest thou, which is not in us?
Acts 24:8
70%
8from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
Acts 25:20
69%
20And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters.
Acts 4:19-20
2 verses
69%
19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:
20for we {G1410} cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.
Acts 17:32
69%
32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this {G3303} yet again.
John 18:21
69%
21Why askest thou me? Ask them that have heard [me], what I spake unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.
Acts 26:3
69%
3especially because thou art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
Acts 5:27
69%
27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,
Acts 17:8
69%
8And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
Acts 4:16
69%
16saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all {G2730} that dwell in Jerusalem; and we {G1410} cannot deny it.
Acts 22:1
68%
1{G435} Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defence which I now make unto you.
John 16:18
68%
18They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he saith.
Acts 22:15
68%
15For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
Acts 23:28
68%
28And desiring to know the cause {G1223} wherefore they accused him, I brought him down unto their council:
Acts 24:20
67%
20Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council,
Acts 23:19-20
2 verses
67%
19And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that thou hast to tell me?
20And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul to-morrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.
Acts 19:35
67%
35And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter?
1 Cor 1:22
67%
22Seeing {G2532} that Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom:
Acts 4:7
67%
7And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?
Acts 17:6
67%
6And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
Acts 2:14
67%
14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, [saying], Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words.
Acts 24:11
67%
11Seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:
Acts 4:13
67%
13Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Acts 18:13
67%
13saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
John 3:11
67%
11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
Acts 24:4
67%
4But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.
Acts 13:7
67%
7who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.
Acts 8:30
67%
30And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?