David A. Cox
As Paul had preached his sermon to the men of Athens at Mars Hill he concluded by telling them that God commands all men to repent and then reminded them to the coming judgment. Beginning in verse 32 we have three responses of those that heard Paul.
"And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them." (Acts 17:32-34).
We are told that some mocked him (v. 32). We read that some heard Paul preached the truth of gospel but instead of accepting the preaching of Christ by Paul they were unwilling to change their lives acceptable to the will of God. The response of some was the same as those on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:13), they made fun or mocked the preaching of Paul. This is the type of disposition Paul mentioned to the Corinthians when he referred to people thinking the preaching of the cross as foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18,21).
Another response seen in verse 32 was "We will hear thee again of this matter." They were wanting to wait. Perhaps it was a difficult decision for some to hear to truth and obey it. They still desired to learn more, but they needed to respond. The disposition of some was like that of Felix (Acts 24:25). The parable of the virgins in Matthew 25 teaches the importance of not waiting, for while we are delaying our lives may end without being prepared.
Lastly, we read that through Paul's preaching there were some that had believed. These were those that as Paul preached the word of God, their hearts were pricked and they responded and continued on in the work of the Lord.
The response to Paul's sermon was three-fold and the responses Paul encountered are the same responses people have today to the preaching of God's word. What is our response to the preaching of the gospel? Do we mock the word of God by defying the necessity to obey or mock those that are striving to live right? Are we waiting to hear more? Or, do we believe the truth of God's word? Are we ready to make the commitment to obey and cleave to God's word? Let us remember the lessons of God's word and believe and obey Him now; not mocking or waiting until a convenient time.
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 10/20/96.