Acts 17 10

Acts 17:10 kjv

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Acts 17:10 nkjv

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Acts 17:10 niv

As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.

Acts 17:10 esv

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.

Acts 17:10 nlt

That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.

Acts 17 verses

Acts 17 10 Meaning

Acts 17:10 details the immediate departure of Paul and Silas from Thessalonica, facilitated by local believers, for their safety to Beroea, a nearby city. Upon their arrival, they, consistent with their established missionary pattern, immediately sought out the Jewish synagogue there to proclaim the Gospel. This verse highlights the persistent nature of the apostolic mission despite intense persecution, the solidarity of the nascent Christian community in protecting its leaders, and the divine Providence guiding their steps.

Acts 17 10 Context

Acts chapter 17 opens with Paul, Silas, and Timothy in Thessalonica, where Paul follows his usual practice of entering the Jewish synagogue to reason from the Scriptures, proving Jesus as the Messiah. His ministry saw success, with some Jews, a great many God-fearing Greeks, and prominent women believing. However, jealous Jews, failing to win against Paul's arguments, formed a mob, stirred up the city, and attacked Jason's house, where Paul and Silas were staying. Failing to find them, they dragged Jason and other believers before the city authorities, accusing Paul and Silas of disturbing the peace and proclaiming "another king, Jesus," implying treason against Caesar. The city authorities were troubled, released Jason and the others after taking security, signifying the grave danger Paul and Silas faced. Acts 17:10 immediately follows this intense opposition, making the hasty departure to Beroea an urgent, protective measure taken by the local believers to safeguard the apostles and enable the continued spread of the Gospel.

Acts 17 10 Word analysis

• The brothers (οἱ ἀδελφοί, hoi adelphoi): This refers to the believers in Thessalonica who had recently come to faith through Paul and Silas's ministry. It emphasizes the communal aspect of early Christianity and the familial bond that superseded cultural or ethnic ties. This term signifies not merely acquaintances, but a deeply connected, loving Christian community responsible for one another.
• immediately (εὐθέως, eutheōs): Denotes a swift, urgent action. In this context, it highlights the extreme peril Paul and Silas were in, necessitating prompt departure. Luke frequently uses this adverb to underscore rapid progression or decisive action, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the decisiveness of the Thessalonian believers.
• sent... away (ἐξαπέστειλαν, exaposteilō): The prefix "ex-" (out, from) combined with "apostellō" (to send) suggests not just sending, but actively dispatching or commissioning them, here specifically for safety. It's a formal or purposeful sending. While primarily for safety, it also maintains the forward momentum of the mission.
• by night (νυκτός, nyktos): This detail underscores the dangerous situation. Travel by night often indicates the need for secrecy or evasion, directly related to the mob's violent threat from the previous verses. It signals the perilous environment in which the early church often operated.
• to Beroea (εἰς Βέροιαν, eis Beroian): Beroea was an inland city about 50 miles southwest of Thessalonica, further away from the main Via Egnatia road. It represented a temporary refuge and a new strategic location for ministry, highlighting the adaptive nature of their mission work in response to persecution.
• and when they arrived, they went into (ἐλθόντες... ἀπήεσαν εἰς, elthontes... apēesan eis): Signifies purpose and directness. Their journey had a specific goal, and upon reaching it, their primary focus was resuming their mission.
• the Jewish synagogue (τὴν συναγωγήν τῶν Ἰουδαίων, tēn synagōgēn tōn Ioudaiōn): Paul's consistent method of beginning his ministry in any new city. Synagogues served as established meeting places for Jews and "God-fearers" (Gentiles who sympathized with Judaism), offering a natural platform to present the Gospel as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecies, particularly concerning the Messiah. This shows their unflagging commitment to the mission even after persecution.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea": This entire phrase conveys the swift and urgent protective action by the new believers for their evangelists. The combination of "immediately," "sent away," and "by night" paints a picture of critical danger and a united, selfless effort to preserve the apostles' lives and ministry. It highlights the community's nascent faith and immediate display of brotherly love under duress.
• "and when they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue": This sequence demonstrates the unwavering dedication of Paul and Silas to their divine commission. Despite fleeing persecution, their first action upon reaching a new city was to seek out the primary religious assembly, indicating their steadfast focus on spreading the Gospel, particularly to the Jews first. This signifies resilience and commitment above personal comfort or safety.

Acts 17 10 Bonus section

The account of the Beroean Jews immediately following this verse (Acts 17:11-12) often highlights a stark contrast to the Thessalonians. The prompt action in verse 10 sets the stage for Luke to commend the Beroean Jews for their receptiveness and diligent study of the Scriptures. This demonstrates that moving locations due to persecution (often seen as a setback) can, in God's sovereign plan, open new doors for the Gospel where there might be even greater responsiveness. The Beroean experience thus offers an important example of God working "all things together for good" (Rom 8:28) even through trials and forced displacement, showcasing how the Church grows not just by evangelism but also through unexpected movements shaped by external pressures.

Acts 17 10 Commentary

Acts 17:10 serves as a pivotal transition, demonstrating how God's mission perseveres even through intense opposition. The rapid departure of Paul and Silas by night, orchestrated by the Thessalonian believers, is not a retreat but a strategic repositioning guided by discernment and divine providence. It illustrates the symbiotic relationship within the early church: the apostles sow the seed, and the burgeoning community nurtures and protects them when threatened. Their immediate act of entering the synagogue in Beroea, without hesitation, showcases their profound conviction and unwavering commitment to the Gospel message, emphasizing that persecution may displace them geographically but never deters them from their God-given task. This continuous pursuit of the mission despite formidable obstacles stands as a powerful testament to the divine impetus behind the spread of Christianity.