Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Acts 17:10 - 17:15
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_17:10-15
10The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men. 13But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds. 14Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there. 15Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.
Act_17:10 "Berea" This was a large city in Paul's day about 60 miles west, very close to the Ignatian Highway. It also had a Jewish community, one that was open to listening to Paul and checking his theology from the texts he cited from the OT.
▣ "They went into the synagogue of the Jews" The text implies that soon after they arrived, even after an all-night journey, they immediately went to the synagogue. Maybe it just happened to be the Sabbath or maybe they knew they would be followed by the agitators. Time was of the essence. Modern western believers have lost the urgency and priority of evangelism!
Act_17:11 "these were more noble-minded" This term was used for wealthy, educated, upper class people (cf. LXX Job_1:3; Luk_19:12). This literal definition does not fit the Jews of Berea; therefore, it is metaphorical for someone more willing to hear new ideas and evaluate them. This open attitude may have been characteristic of the leading citizens of the city who worshiped at the synagogue (cf. Act_17:12).
▣ "examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" This is the way to determine truth. Paul's preaching method was to quote the OT and then show how it applied to Jesus.
The phrase ("whether these things were so") contains a fourth class conditional sentence (i.e., ei with the optative mood, cf. Act_17:27; Act_20:16; Act_24:19; Act_27:12), which denotes that which is farthest removed from reality (less likely). Some responded; some did not (the mystery of the gospel).
Act_17:12 "many of them believed" This implies that many of the Jews of the synagogue and many of the "God-fearers" responded. See Special Topics at Act_3:16; Act_2:40.
▣ "prominent" This term is a compound from "good" and "form" or "appearance." It was used of honorable, reputable, and influential people (cf. Act_13:50 and Joseph of Arimathea, Mar_15:43).
Act_17:13 This shows the purposeful opposition of Paul's Jewish antagonists. Many of these were sincere Jews acting out of religious motives (as Saul had). However, their methods reveal their spiritual status.
Act_17:14 "as far as the sea" This may mean
1. Paul traveled to Athens by coastal boat
2. Paul took the coastal road to Athens