Acts 17:10
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
When the believers quickly sent Paul and Silas away by night, it wasn't just about escaping danger; it shows their deep discernment of how to continue the mission. By immediately directing them to the Jewish synagogue in Berea, they were strategically enabling them to find a receptive audience and continue their work without missing a beat.
After facing intense opposition and a riot stirred up by hostile Jews in Thessalonica, the believers quickly sent Paul and Silas away under the cover of night to the neighboring city of Berea. Upon their arrival, Paul and Silas, undeterred by the previous persecution, immediately went into the Jewish synagogue to continue sharing the message of Jesus.
Why the immediate, nighttime departure from Thessalonica?
The Jewish leaders in Thessalonica, driven by envy, stirred up trouble. They even assaulted Jason's house, seeking to hand Paul and Silas over to the authorities. Recognizing the intense hostility and potential danger, the believers in Thessalonica acted quickly. They "immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night" to Berea. This wasn't a leisurely departure; it was a strategic escape to protect the apostles from further harm and to allow them to continue their mission elsewhere.
Where did Paul and Silas head first upon arriving in Berea?
Berea was a new location, but Paul and Silas didn't hesitate to find the familiar ground of the synagogue. Despite past negative experiences with Jewish opposition (as seen in Thessalonica), Paul's heart still yearned for his own people. He understood that the gospel message was first for the Jews, and the synagogue was the established place for Jewish teaching and worship. Their immediate move into the synagogue shows their unwavering commitment to sharing the good news, even in the face of potential rejection.
Understand the original words
synagōgē · Greek Noun
A building used by Jewish communities for worship, the reading and study of the Scriptures (the Torah and Prophets), and communal gathering, serving as the central hub of Jewish life outside of the Temple in Jerusalem.
c. AD 49-51
Paul's Second Missionary Journey
Paul and his companions travel through Macedonia, including visits to Philippi and Thessalonica, establishing churches.
c. AD 51
Riot in Thessalonica
Unbelieving Jews incite a mob against Paul and Silas in Thessalonica, forcing them to flee the city.
c. AD 51— this verse
Flight to Berea
The Christian community in Thessalonica secretly sends Paul and Silas away by night to the city of Berea.
c. AD 51
Persecution in Berea
Jews from Thessalonica travel to Berea and stir up trouble, forcing Paul to leave for Athens.
c. AD 51
Paul in Athens
Paul arrives in Athens and engages in philosophical debate, though Silas and Timothy do not immediately join him.
This passage highlights Paul's consistent practice of first going to the Jewish synagogue in any new town, mirroring the action described in Acts 17:10.
Acts 13:14-16Similar to the scene in Berea, Paul first addresses the Jews in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, demonstrating a pattern of evangelism rooted in Jewish community.
Romans 10:14-15This passage speaks to the necessity of having someone preach the gospel before people can believe, underscoring the foundational work Paul and Silas were doing by going into the synagogue.
Philippians 1:5Paul’s later letter to the Philippians mentions their partnership in the gospel from the first day, reflecting the early ministry in Berea which stemmed from this synagogue visit.
ellicottActs 17:10: "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews."
(10) Sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea. —Timotheus apparently remained behind, partly to help the Thessalonian converts under their present trials, partly to be able to bring word to St. Paul as to their condition. At Berœa Paul and Silas were alone. The city lay to the south of Thessalonica, not far from Pella, on the banks of the Astræus,…
expositorsActs 17:10: "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews."
-31 Chapter 12 ST. PAUL IN MACEDONIA. Acts 16:29-31 ; Acts 17:1-2 ; Acts 17:10 TROAS was at this time the termination of St. Paul’s Asiatic travels. He had passed diagonally right through Asia Minor, following the great Roman roads which determined his line of march. From Troas he proceeded to Philippi, and for exactly the same reason. All the great ro…
When the believers quickly sent Paul and Silas away by night, it wasn't just about escaping danger; it shows their deep discernment of how to continue the mission. By immediately directing them to the Jewish synagogue in Berea, they were strategically enabling them to find a receptive audience and continue their work without missing a beat.
After facing intense opposition and a riot stirred up by hostile Jews in Thessalonica, the believers quickly sent Paul and Silas away under the cover of night to the neighboring city of Berea. Upon their arrival, Paul and Silas, undeterred by the previous persecution, immediately went into the Jewish synagogue to continue sharing the message of Jesus.
After facing intense opposition and a riot stirred up by hostile Jews in Thessalonica, the believers quickly sent Paul and Silas away under the cover of night to the neighboring city of Berea. Upon their arrival, Paul and Silas, undeterred by the previous persecution, immediately went into the Jewish synagogue to continue sharing the message of Jesus.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Acts 17:10 is available in the Sola app.
c. AD 51
Silas and Timothy Join Paul
Silas and Timothy eventually rejoin Paul in Athens or Corinth, bringing news of the Macedonian churches.
"The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue." — When the believers quickly sent Paul and Silas away by night, it wasn't just about escaping danger; it shows their deep discernment of how to continue the mission. By immediately directing them to th…
