100 Reasons to Believe New Testament History
34. Mocking the Resurrection in Athens
The New Testament records that the early church boldly proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus in and around Jerusalem. In Acts chapter 2 we read Peter’s words concerning the prophecy recorded by David,
“Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that the fruit if his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses…Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:30-32, 36
Notice that the enemies of the Church offered no historic arguments against Peter’s proclamation that Christ has risen from the dead. (Presumably they could offer no satisfactory empirical evidence to refute the resurrection account). However, when the resurrection was preached far from Jerusalem and Christ’s empty tomb, the resurrection account was met with mocking and unbelief. In Athens, for example, we read of Paul’s attempt to preach the resurrection,
“Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered [Paul]. And some said, What will this babbler say? Other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.” Acts 17:18 After giving the men of Athens a “creation seminar”, Paul again tries to introduce the doctrine of Christ’s resurrection. This time he fairs better, but still in verse 32 we read,
“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear you again on this matter.”
Notice now when Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea, about 50 miles from Jerusalem, the resurrection again was the focal point of the dispute between him and the Jewish religious leaders. In Acts 25:7 we are told that the Jews from Jerusalem had “laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.”
In Acts 25:19, Festus the governor reports to King Agrippa what these complaints concerned:
“[The Jews from Jerusalem] had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.”
In Acts 26 we read of Paul’s magnificent defence before King Agrippa and the king’s remarkable response:
“…that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first to rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles…For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
The change in attitude toward the resurrection account as the scene moves back and forth from Jerusalem rings of authenticity, subtle though that ring may be.