Acts · Chapter 17
Acts 17:28 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"‘For in him we live, and move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’"
KJV · King James Version
"For1063 in1722 him846 we live2198, and2532 move2795, and2532 have our being2070; as5613 certain5100 also2532 of your5209 own2596 poets4163 have said2046, For1063 we are2070 also2532 his5120 offspring1085."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses certain, while the WEB renders these as some. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Acts 17:28 in Acts 17
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Acts 17:28 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Acts 17. Read the full chapter →
- v.26 He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings,
- v.27 that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
- v.28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’
- v.29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man.
- v.30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent,
Book background
About the Book of Acts
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Church history
- Author
- Luke
- Date written
- c. 62 AD
- Audience
- Theophilus and the early church
- Chapters
- 28
Acts traces the gospel's spread from Jerusalem to Rome — from Pentecost (chapter 2) through the apostolic ministry of Peter and the missionary journeys of Paul. It is the Holy Spirit's book as much as the apostles' — the Spirit is the active agent in nearly every chapter. The book ends mid-action: Paul preaching in Rome, "with all boldness, unhindered."
Setting: A history of the church's first three decades — Jerusalem to Rome.
Key themes: Holy Spirit · mission · witness · church growth · persecution
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Acts 17:28
Acts 17:28 contains 25 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
‘For in him we live
FIHWL
- 2
and move
AM
- 3
and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said
AHOBAS
- 4
‘For we are also his offspring.’
FWAAHO
Frequently asked
FAQ about Acts 17:28
What does Acts 17:28 say?
Acts 17:28 reads: "‘For in him we live, and move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’" — from the New Testament, Acts (Church history). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Acts 17:28 in?
Acts 17:28 is in the book of Acts, traditionally attributed to Luke and written around c. 62 AD. Acts is church history in the New Testament, originally addressed to Theophilus and the early church. Best known for Pentecost and the missionary journeys of Paul.
What is the difference between Acts 17:28 in WEB and KJV?
Acts 17:28 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "‘For in him we live, and move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "For1063 in1722 him846 we live2198, and2532 move2795, and2532 have our being2070; as5613 certain5100 also2532 of your5209 own2596 poets4163 have said2046, For1063 we are2070 also2532 his5120 offspring1085.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Acts 17:28?
Acts 17:28 is 25 words in the WEB translation (121 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 8 seconds.
How can I memorise Acts 17:28?
To memorise Acts 17:28, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Acts 17:28 matter in Acts?
Acts traces the gospel's spread from Jerusalem to Rome — from Pentecost (chapter 2) through the apostolic ministry of Peter and the missionary journeys of Paul. It is the Holy Spirit's book as much as the apostles' — the Spirit is the active agent in nearly every chapter. The book ends mid-action: Paul preaching in Rome, "with all boldness, unhindered." Acts 17:28 sits within this larger story — Acts as a whole emphasises Holy Spirit, mission, witness.
How can I apply Acts 17:28 today?
Many readers use Acts 17:28 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Acts 17:28 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
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John 3:16
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Philippians 4:13
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Psalm 23:1
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Jeremiah 29:11
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Romans 8:28
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1 John 4:8
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
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Isaiah 40:31
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Psalm 46:1
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Hebrews 11:1
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