Acts 17:27 net — so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of…

NET Bible

"so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."

— Acts 17:27, NET Bible

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Acts 17:27 in Other Translations

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Acts 17 — Context

24

The God who made the world and everything in it, who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by human hands,

25

nor is he served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives life and breath and everything to everyone.

26

From one man he made every nation of the human race to inhabit the entire earth, determining their set times and the fixed limits of the places where they would live,

27

so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

28

For in him we live and move about and exist, as even some of your own poets have said,‘For we too are his offspring.’

29

So since we are God’s offspring, we should not think the deity is like gold or silver or stone, an image made by human skill and imagination.

30

Therefore, although God has overlooked such times of ignorance, he now commands all people everywhere to repent,

Acts 17:27 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Acts 17:27 say?
Acts 17:27 in the NET Bible reads: “so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”
Where is Acts 17:27 in the Bible?
Acts 17:27 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Acts, chapter 17, verse 27.
Who wrote Acts?
Acts is traditionally attributed to Luke. It was written c. AD 62–64.
What is the book of Acts about?
Acts is the sequel to Luke's Gospel — the story of how the message of the risen Jesus moved out from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Through Peter, Paul, and many ordinary believers, the Holy Spirit builds the early church across the Roman world.
What are the major themes of Acts?
Acts explores themes including Holy Spirit, Mission, Church Growth, Persecution, Gospel to the Gentiles. These themes shape the meaning and context of Acts 17:27.
What translation should I read Acts 17:27 in?
Acts 17:27 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Acts 17:27?
Acts 17:27 reads (NET): “so that they would search for God and perhaps grope around for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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