Definition: Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which [was] Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Acts 17:34. It’s a bit complex, but we can understand it as follows: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a meeting where the Apostle Peter was speaking about the power of Jesus Christ. Here's a simplified explanation: "Howbeit certain men clave unto him..." – This means “even though” or "but.” It’s acknowledging that some people were initially skeptical or resistant to believing in Jesus. "...and believed:" – They actually did believe! It wasn't a complete rejection, but they were open to the possibility of Jesus. "Among which [was] Dionysius the Areopagite..." - This refers to a person named Dionysius the Areopagite. He was a Greek philosopher and mystic who wrote about spiritual realities and concepts that went beyond what many people understood. He was known for his complex ideas. "...and a woman named Damaris, and others with them." – There were also other individuals present at this meeting, including Damaris. Putting it all together: The verse describes a gathering where Peter spoke about Jesus Christ. He invited Dionysius the Areopagite and two other people to participate in this conversation. The point is that some people were initially hesitant but ultimately embraced the belief in Jesus. Important Note: This passage is from ancient texts, and it’s important to understand that the context of these early writings – particularly the Greek Bible (which is a translation of the original Greek) – can be somewhat mysterious. It's not meant to be a straightforward explanation of what's happening in the story. It’s about the initial response to Jesus and the beginning of a spiritual connection for some individuals. In essence, this verse highlights that belief in Jesus wasn't always easy, but it started with a few people who were willing to consider him. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse further? Connect this passage to other Bible verses or themes?