Acts 17:19

And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?

And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus - that is, 'Mars' hill;' an eminence over against the Acropolis, on the west side of that citadel rock. 'On this hill (as Howson says) had sat the most awful court of judicature from time immemorial, to pass sentence on the greatest criminals, and to decide on the most solemn questions connected with religion. No place in Athens was so suitable for a discourse on the mysteries of religion.' The apostle, however, was not here on his trial (as some formerly thought, and the Tubingen school still allege), as is evident on the face of the narrative. There is nothing of religious fanaticism or intolerance on the part of his questioners. Curiosity, not without a mixture of contempt, alone prompts their inquiries. They merely desired a fuller exposition of what this novel teacher had in broken conversations thrown out in the Agora (G58), marketplace.

Saying, May we know, [ dunametha (G1410) gnoonai (G1097)] - extremely polite, yet half ironical; the questioners, in their Greek pride, being quite satisfied (as Lechler remarks) that they knew all things already, and better than this barbarian Jew could tell them.

What this new doctrine (or 'teaching'), whereof thou speakest, is?