"unknown, Acts 17:23*"
Definition and meaning
unknown, Acts 17:23*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἄγνωστος
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of agnostos (G57) across the King James Bible.
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.
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Common questions
Strong's G57 (agnostos) is a Greek word that means: unknown, Acts 17:23* It appears 1 times in the King James Bible.
The word agnostos (G57) appears 1 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G57 is agnostos, a Greek word defined as: unknown, Acts 17:23*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
agnostos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.