Paul at Berea and Athens
281
They accordingly conducted him to Mars’ Hill. This was the most
sacred spot in all Athens, and its recollections and associations were
such as to cause it to be regarded with superstitious awe and reverence,
that with some amounted to dread. Here, the most solemn court of
justice had long been held to determine upon criminal cases, and to
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decide difficult religious questions. The judges sat in the open air,
upon seats hewn out in the rock, on a platform which was ascended by
a flight of stone steps from the valley below. At a little distance was a
temple of the gods; and the sanctuaries, statues, and altars of the city
were in full view.
Here, away from the noise and bustle of crowded thoroughfares,
and the tumult of promiscuous discussion, the apostle could be heard
without interruption; for the frivolous, thoughtless class of society
did not care to follow him to this place of highest reverence. Around
him here were gathered poets, artists, and philosophers,—the scholars
and sages of Athens,—who thus addressed him: “May we know what
this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? for thou bringest certain
strange things to our ears; we would know, therefore, what these things
mean.”
The apostle stood calm and self-possessed in that hour of solemn
responsibility, relying upon the divine assurance, designed for such
a time as this, “It shall be given you what ye ought to say.” His heart
was burdened with his important message, and the words that fell
from his lips convinced his hearers that he was no idle babbler: “Ye
men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
For as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with
this inscription, To the Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly
worship, him declare I unto you.” With all their intelligence and general
knowledge, they were ignorant of the true God. The inscription upon
their altar showed the strong cravings of the soul for greater light. They
were reaching out for Infinity.
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With earnest and fervid eloquence, the apostle continued: “God
that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of
Heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither
is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing
he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one
blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and
hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their