The great men of Athens were not long in learning of the presence in their city of a singular teacher who was setting before the people doctrines new and strange. Some of these men sought Paul out and entered into conversation with him. Soon a crowd of listeners gathered about them. Some were prepared to ridicule the apostle as one who was far beneath them both socially and intellectually, and these said jeeringly among themselves, "What will this babbler say?" Others, "because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection," said, "He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods."

Det varede ikke længe, før Athens betydelige mænd hørte, at der i deres by fandtes en mærkelig lærer, der fremkom med nye og forunderlige lærdomme. Nogle af disse mænd opsøgte Paulus og indlod sig i samtale med ham. Nogle af dem var indstillet på at latterliggøre apostlen som en, der både socialt og intellektuelt stod langt under dem selv, og de sagde hånligt til hinanden: "Hvad kan han vel mene, det snakkehoved?" Andre sagde, "fordi han forkyndte evangeliet om Jesus og om opstandelsen," "Han synes at være en, som forkynder fremmede guddomme."