Acts 17 13

Acts 17:13 kjv

But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

Acts 17:13 nkjv

But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds.

Acts 17:13 niv

But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up.

Acts 17:13 esv

But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.

Acts 17:13 nlt

But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble.

Acts 17 verses

Acts 17 13 Meaning

Acts 17:13 reveals the relentless and aggressive opposition faced by Paul and the nascent Christian message. The unbelieving Jewish leaders from Thessalonica, upon discovering Paul's successful ministry in Berea, traveled there specifically to disrupt his work. They used agitation and incitement to stir up the local crowds, aiming to turn them against Paul and ultimately force him out of the city, just as they had done in Thessalonica. This verse highlights the profound antagonism toward the "word of God" being preached and the dedicated pursuit of its evangelists by those resistant to its truth.

Acts 17 13 Context

Acts chapter 17 opens with Paul, Silas, and Timothy in Thessalonica, where Paul, following his custom, preached the Gospel in the synagogue. Many Jews, devout Greeks, and leading women believed. However, the unbelieving Jews became jealous, gathered an unruly mob, and instigated a riot, forcing Paul and Silas to flee to Berea (Acts 17:1-9). In Berea, the Jewish community demonstrated "more noble" character, eagerly examining the Scriptures daily to verify Paul's teachings, resulting in many Jews and Greeks believing (Acts 17:10-12). Acts 17:13 immediately follows this success, illustrating the tenacity of the opposition. The very Jews who caused trouble in Thessalonica pursued Paul, continuing their malicious campaign in Berea. This verse marks the continuation of the hostility encountered by Paul on his Second Missionary Journey, forcing him to move on to Athens (Acts 17:14-15). Historically, such communal agitation was common in Roman cities, and Jewish leaders sometimes exploited social unrest and anti-foreign sentiment to oppose Christian preaching.

Acts 17 13 Word analysis

• But when: (δὲ – de) Signifies a shift or contrast, highlighting that while things were going well in Berea, a counter-movement began.
• the Jews: (οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι – hoi Ioudaioi) Specifically identifies the ethnic and religious group initiating the persecution. Luke consistently portrays this group's resistance to the gospel as a primary source of conflict for Paul.
• from Thessalonica: (ἀπὸ τῆς Θεσσαλονίκης – apo tēs Thessalonikēs) Crucial detail emphasizing that this was a deliberate pursuit. They traveled a significant distance (approximately 45 miles or 70 kilometers), showing their extreme zeal and determination to silence Paul. This wasn't local spontaneous opposition but targeted harassment.
• learned: (γνόντες – gnontes, from ginosko) Indicates that they came to know, acquired specific information about Paul's activities in Berea, suggesting they were actively monitoring or receiving reports about his movements.
• that Paul was preaching: (ὅτι εὐηγγελίζετο Παῦλος – hoti euēggelizeto Paulos) Lit. "that Paul was evangelizing," meaning he was proclaiming the "good news" (the Gospel). This highlights the fundamental nature of Paul's work – sharing the salvific message of Christ – and that this message itself was the target of their opposition.
• the word of God: (τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ – ton logon tou Theou) Identifies the content of Paul's preaching. It is not Paul's own words or opinions, but God's divine revelation. The phrase signifies authority, truth, and the divine origin of the message, making the opposition to it an opposition to God Himself. This phrase appears frequently in Acts, emphasizing the power and spread of the Gospel.
• at Berea: (ἐν Βέροια – en Beroia) The specific location where Paul found success among "more noble" listeners, which intensified the Thessalonian Jews' animosity.
• they came there also: (ἦλθον κἀκεῖ – ēlthon kakei) Reiterates their intentional journey and persistent opposition. It implies a sense of continuity of harassment, following Paul wherever he might establish a ministry.
• stirring up the crowds: (σαλεύοντες τοὺς ὄχλους – saleuontes tous ochlous) From saleuō, meaning to shake, agitate, or cause to waver, like stirring up a tranquil body of water or unsettling a solid object. This describes their method of generating public unrest, creating confusion and disfavor among the previously open-minded Berian crowds.
• and inciting them: (καὶ ταράσσοντες – kai tarassontes, from tarassō) To disturb, trouble, confuse, agitate. Often implying emotional or psychological turmoil leading to hostile actions. This action takes "stirring up" a step further, causing active disruption and hostile sentiment among the people, probably leading to public accusations or threats.

Words-Group Analysis:

• The Jews from Thessalonica... they came there also: This emphasizes the focused, determined, and prolonged nature of the persecution. Their willingness to travel distances signifies their deep-seated enmity against the spread of the Gospel and Paul as its messenger. This also suggests an organized effort rather than just isolated opposition.
• Preaching the word of God... stirring up the crowds and inciting them: This juxtaposition highlights the spiritual warfare at play. On one side, divine truth and salvation are proclaimed; on the other, human malice and deception work to thwart it through social chaos and incitement, attempting to manipulate the masses against the truth.

Acts 17 13 Bonus section

The significant travel distance undertaken by the Thessalonian Jews to reach Berea (approx. 45 miles or 70 km) highlights an exceptional level of antagonism and determination. This was not a casual act but a deeply committed effort to disrupt Paul's mission, possibly stemming from economic, social, or theological threats perceived from the new Christian movement. Luke, by detailing this journey, underscores the extreme measure taken by Paul's opponents, portraying their fanaticism as a contrast to Paul's own dedication to spreading the "word of God." This also suggests an early form of organized religious opposition or persecution network against Christianity.

Acts 17 13 Commentary

Acts 17:13 offers a profound glimpse into the nature of gospel ministry and its reception. It showcases that opposition to the "word of God" can be relentless, crossing geographical boundaries and requiring extraordinary determination from its adversaries. The unyielding zeal of the Thessalonian Jews underscores that hostility to divine truth often mirrors, and at times exceeds, the zeal of its proponents. Despite encountering success in Berea with receptive hearers, Paul's ministry was again cut short by outside agitation, forcing him to move on. Yet, this persistent persecution, rather than stopping the gospel, often served God's sovereign purpose in spreading it to new territories. This verse reminds believers that opposition is an expected component of proclaiming the Gospel and challenges them to exhibit the same steadfastness in faith as their persecutors do in their antagonism. Practically, this means believers should be prepared for opposition, not be discouraged by it, and trust that God can use even negative circumstances to advance His kingdom. For example, local churches facing controversy or attempts to discredit them should understand that such events often accompany faithful adherence to biblical truth.