The Jews of Berea Examine the Scriptures

At Thessalonica, jealous Jews stirred up a mob and dragged Jason before the city rulers. The believers immediately send Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, where they go into the Jewish synagogue. The Jews there are “more noble” than those in Thessalonica: they receive the word with all readiness of mind and search the Scriptures daily to see whether what they are told is true. Many of them believe, along with a number of prominent Greek women and not a few men. But when the Jews of Thessalonica learn that Paul is preaching the word of God at Berea too, they come there to stir up the crowds. Right away, the believers send Paul off toward the sea; Silas and Timothy stay behind in Berea. Those who accompany Paul take him as far as Athens, then bring back instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.