Lit., "the hill of Ares" (Greek: Areion Pagon), the Areopagus was both a hill in Athens dedicated to the Greek god of war, Ares, as well as the most vernerated institution in Athens dedicated to intellectual pursuit that took its name from the hill that was its original meeting place. Acts 17:34 reports a certain Dionysius who was "a member of the Areopagus" coming to faith in Jesus. Its history is shrouded in legends but its prestige as a guardian in matters of morals and religion was real. It was, therefore, little surprising that, when Paul began preaching to any one who would listen in the market place, he was subsequently brought to the Areopagus for his teachings to be more closely examined (Acts 17:19-33).
The Greek god of war, Ares, corresponded to the Roman god Mars. Thus, KJV translates it as "Mar's Hill" instead of Areopagus.
The Areopagus is mentioned 3x in the NT:
Acts 17:19 — Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
Acts 17:22 — Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. [For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, . . .]
Acts 17:34 — A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Resources:
☰ J. Daryl Charles, "Engaging the (Neo)Pagan Mind: Paul's Encounter with Athenian Culture as a Model for Cultural Apologetics (Acts 17:16-34)," Trinity Journal 16.1 (1995): 47-62.
☰ Patrick Gray, "Implied Audiences in the Areopagus Narrative," Tyndale Bulletin 55.2 (2004): 205-218.
☰ John Proctor, "The Gospel from Athens: Paul's Speech before the Areopagus and the Evangel for Today," Evangel 10:3 (1992): 69-72
☰ Ned B. Stonehouse, The Areopagus Address. London: The Tyndale Press, 1948. Pbk. pp.48
☰ Bruce W. Winter, "On Introducing Gods to Athens: An Alternative Reading of Actrs 17:18-20," Tyndale Bulletin 47.1 (1996) 71-90.
☰ Bruce M. Winter, "Introducing the Athenians to God: Paul's Failed Apologetic in Acts 17?" Themelios 31.1 (October 2005): 38-59.
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