Acts 17:20 is part of the narrative describing Paul's visit to Athens. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context. Paul was in Athens, a city known for its intellectual and philosophical curiosity. He observed their idol worship and was deeply troubled. He began to reason with people in the synagogues and in the marketplace.

Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:

"For you bring certain strange things to our ears.": This highlights the reaction of the Athenian philosophers (Epicureans and Stoics) to Paul's message. To them, Paul's preaching about Jesus and the resurrection sounded novel, unusual, and perhaps even bizarre. The Greek word translated as "strange" (xenizo) implies something foreign, unfamiliar, and potentially perplexing.
"We want to know therefore what these things mean.”: This expresses their desire to understand Paul's teachings. Athenians prided themselves on their intellectual pursuits and willingness to debate new ideas. They were interested in exploring Paul's message, not necessarily to believe it, but to analyze and debate it. Their request was driven by curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. They were intrigued enough to want an explanation.

In summary, Acts 17:20 reveals that Paul's message was perceived as foreign and unfamiliar by the Athenian philosophers, prompting them to seek clarification and understanding. This verse sets the stage for Paul's famous address on the Areopagus (Mars Hill), where he attempted to connect the Gospel to their existing worldview.

The verse shows us:

The Challenge of communicating the Gospel: Paul faced the challenge of presenting a message that was radically different from the prevailing worldview.
The Power of curiosity: Even when faced with something strange, the Athenians were willing to listen and engage in intellectual inquiry.
The Need for context: Paul had to find a way to make the Gospel relevant and understandable to his audience.