That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

ACTS 17:27KJV
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Acts 17:27 (KJV)

What does Acts 17:27 mean?

Acts 17:27 says that people should seek after God, hoping to reach out and find Him, even though He is actually very near to everyone. The verse emphasizes that God is not distant or hidden from anyone, but is accessible to all who genuinely look for Him.

In Acts 17:27, the apostle Paul is speaking to a group of philosophers and citizens in Athens, explaining that God created humanity so that people would look for Him. Paul uses language about "feeling after" God to describe a searching that is both sincere and sometimes uncertain, like someone groping in the dark. The main idea is that God’s nearness means He can be found by anyone, not just a select few, and that seeking Him is both possible and encouraged.

The Greek behind Acts 17:27

  • "seek" (ζητέω, zēteō): This word means to search for or strive after. Here, it shows that God wants people to actively look for Him, not just passively wait.
  • "feel" (ψηλαφάω, psēlafaō): This word is often used for groping or touching in the dark, suggesting a search that is earnest but may lack clear understanding. Paul’s choice of this word paints a picture of people reaching out for God even if they do not see Him clearly at first.
  • "not far" (οὐ μακράν, ou makran): This phrase stresses that God is not distant from anyone. Paul is correcting any idea that God is remote or inaccessible.

Why Acts 17:27 matters

  • Acts 17:27 corrects the idea that God is only available to certain people or in certain places; Paul insists that God is close to everyone, everywhere.
  • The verse highlights the importance of seeking God, but also reassures that God is already near, making the search hopeful rather than desperate.
  • In the context of Paul’s speech in Athens, this verse challenges the Athenians’ view of distant gods and idols, showing that the true God is personal and approachable.

Where else these words appear

“though” Greek G2544 · used in 3 verses

  • John 4:2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
  • Acts 14:17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

“feel” Greek G5584 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
  • Hebrews 12:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
  • 1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

“far” Greek G3112 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 8:30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
  • Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
  • Acts 22:21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

“be” Greek G5225 · used in 47 verses

  • Luke 7:25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.
  • Acts 10:12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
  • Acts 28:18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.