Areopagus
LocationsGeographical Setting
The Areopagus is a prominent rocky hill located northwest of the Acropolis in Athens, historically significant as the meeting place of the ancient Athenian council.
What is the meaning of Areopagus in the Bible?
A rocky hill situated to the west of the Acropolis in Athens, separated by a narrow depression, which served as the traditional meeting place for the Areopagus council and the site where the Apostle Paul delivered his address to the Athenian philosophers.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the physical setting of the Areopagus clarifies the context of Paul's interaction with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, highlighting the intersection of early Christian proclamation with established Athenian intellectual and judicial traditions.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Areopagus in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Areopagus clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.