Acts 17:23

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.

Cross-references

Acts 17:30 Parallel

In Acts 17:30, Paul continues: God overlooks the times of ignorance but now commands repentance — a direct sequential parallel.

Acts 17:16 Historical context

In Acts 17:16, Paul's distress over Athens' idols sets the stage for his discovery of the 'unknown god' altar in verse 23.

1 John 5:20 Contrast

In 1 John 5:20, the true God is known through the Son — contrasting the 'unknown God' Paul identifies in Athens.

2 Corinthians 4:4-6 speaks of God shining light to give knowledge of His glory — Paul reveals the unknown God as that light.

In 1 Corinthians 8:5, Paul notes 'gods many and lords many' — a direct parallel to the Athenian pantheon that included an altar to an unknown god.

Romans 1:23-25 describes humanity's exchange of God for idols — the very ignorance Paul addresses in Athens, showing universal idolatry.

Romans 1:20-22 explains human suppression of God's knowledge leading to folly — exactly the ignorance behind the unknown god altar.

John 4:22 Parallel

In John 4:22, Jesus says 'You worship what you do not know' — a direct parallel to Paul's description of ignorant worship.

Psalm 76:1 Contrast

In Psalm 76:1, God is known in Judah — contrasting the unknown God in Athens.

Jonah 1:9 Parallel

Jonah 1:9 has Jonah declare the Creator God to pagan sailors—Paul similarly declares the unknown Creator to Gentiles.

Ephesians 2:12 Related theme

Ephesians 2:12 describes Gentiles as 'without God' and hopeless — Paul proclaims the God they are without.

Romans 1:19 Parallel

Romans 1:19 states God's invisible attributes are clearly seen — revealing why the Athenians' 'unknown god' altar shows suppressed knowledge.

Isaiah 44:8 Related theme

Isaiah 44:8 declares there is no God besides the LORD—Paul proclaims this unique God as the unknown God.

Isaiah 45:4 Related theme

Isaiah 45:4 shows God calling one who does not know Him—Paul reveals God to those who ignorantly worship.

Galatians 4:8 states not knowing God leads to enslavement to false gods — parallel to the Athenians' unknown god worship.

Psalm 100:3 Related theme

Psalm 100:3 calls to know the LORD as Creator—Paul declares that same Creator to those ignorant of Him.

1 Corinthians 1:21 says the world's wisdom cannot know God, but God saves through preaching — Paul's method in proclaiming the unknown God.

Romans 1:28 Parallel

Romans 1:28 describes refusal to acknowledge God leading to debased minds — Paul calls them to acknowledge the unknown God.

John 7:28 Related theme

John 7:28 has Jesus say people do not know the Father—Paul declares the unknown God to ignorant worshipers.

John 17:25 Parallel

John 17:25 notes the world does not know God, mirroring the Athenians' ignorance Paul addresses.

John 17:3 Parallel

John 17:3 defines eternal life as knowing the only true God — the same God Paul proclaims as knowable.

John 15:21 Related theme

John 15:21 says the world persecutes because they do not know the Father—Paul addresses those who do not know the true God.

John 8:55 Related theme

John 8:55 contrasts knowing and not knowing the Father—Paul reveals the unknown God to those who do not know Him.

In Psalm 147:20, God gave His statutes only to Israel — other nations did not know Him, just as the Athenians worshiped an unknown God.