17:20a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as For introduces this verse. It introduces an explanation why the leaders wanted to hear this new teaching (17:19c).

In some languages it may be more natural to omit the Greek conjunction.

you are bringing some strange notions to our ears: The phrase bringing…to our ears is an idiom for telling something. In the marketplace, Paul told them the gospel about Jesus and about God resurrecting people. In some languages a literal translation would not have the correct meaning. If that is true in your language, translate the correct meaning. For example:

You have been telling us some strange ideas
-or-
You are saying some rather strange things (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
We have heard you say some strange things (Contemporary English Version)

strange: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as strange refers to something surprising or startling. The philosophers had never heard anything like the gospel about Jesus before. For example:

startling (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
surprising (NET Bible)

17:20b

and: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and is usually translated as “so.” It introduces the result of the philosophers hearing strange ideas.

we want to know what they mean: This clause in Greek is literally “we desire to know what these things wish to mean.” The philosophers did not know the meaning of Paul’s teachings and they wanted to know it. Other ways to translate this clause are:

we wish to know…what these things mean (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
we would like to find out what they mean (New Jerusalem Bible)

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