Acts 17:11-22:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 17:10-15

In these verses we have, I. Paul and Silas removing to Berea, and employed in preaching the gospel there, Acts 17:10. They had proceeded so far at Thessalonica that the foundations of a church were laid, and others were raised up to carry on the work that was begun, against whom the rulers and people were not so much prejudiced as they were against Paul and Silas; and therefore when the storm rose they withdrew, taking this as an indication to them that they must quit that place for the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 17:10-15

17:10-15 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away to Beroea by night. When they arrived there they came into the synagogue of the Jews. These were men of finer character than those in Thessalonica and they received the word with all eagerness. They daily examined the scriptures to see if these things were so. Many of them believed, as did a considerable number of well-to-do Greek women and men. When the Jews of Thessalonica knew that the word of God was preached by Paul in Beroea... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 17:11

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica ,.... That is, the Jews at Berea were more noble than the Jews in Thessalonica, as the Syriac version expresses it; for the comparison is not between the native inhabitants of Berea and Thessalonica, but between the Jews that dwelt in these places: and the one being "more noble" than the other, does not refer to their birth, lineage, and descent, as in 1 Corinthians 1:26 few such were called; and besides, both sorts were Jews, and of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:11

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica - Ησαν ευγενεϚεροι , Were of a better race, extraction, or birth, than those at Thessalonica; but the word refers more to their conduct, as a proof of their better disposition, than to their birth, or any peculiar lineal nobility. It was a maxim among the Jews, that "none was of a noble spirit who did not employ himself in the study of the law." It appears that the Bereans were a better educated and more polished people than those at... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:11

Verse 11− 11.Did excel in nobility. Luke returneth again unto the men of Thessalonica. The remembrance of Christ might have been thought to have been buried by the departure of Paul, and surely it is a wonder that that small light, which began to shine, was not quite put out, and that the seed of sound doctrine did not wither away, which had need continually to be watered that it might spring up. But after Paul’s departure, it appeareth how effectual and fruitful his preaching had been. For... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:1-15

The strange alliance. Among the hindrances to the progress of the gospel in the world we have often to notice the combination of the most discordant elements for the purpose of obstruction. Pilate and Herod were made friends together when they united in crucifying the Lord of glory. When the chief priests and Pharisees, in their blind hatred of the Lord Jesus Christ, sought his death, they did not scruple to invoke the aid of the Roman power, the object of their bitterest hatred and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:10-14

The duty of individual research. This interesting and cheering episode teaches us one lesson in particular; but there are three suggestions we may gain preliminarily. 1. That the Christian pilgrim (and workman) may hope that shadow will soon be succeeded by sunshine; that the tumult of Thessalonica will soon be followed by the reverent inquiry of Beraea. 2. That he must expect sunshine to pass, before long, into shadow; the fruit-gathering of Beraea to yield to the flight to Athens... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:10-15

Nobility of soul at Beraea. Beraea stands out as a bright oasis in the dreary landscape of persecution. When Paul and Silas enter the synagogue, they find themselves in a new atmosphere. They find "men of nobler soul" then the dishonest cavilers and intriguers of Philippi and of Thessalonica. What were the elements of this nobility of soul? I. WILLING AND UNPREJUDICED RECEPTION OF NOVEL VIEWS , This spontaneous receptiveness springs only from the rooted love of truth. Let... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:10-15

Beraea. The different state of mind among the Jews. The unbelief and opposition of men overruled by God to the fulfillment of his purposes. The footsteps of the apostolic messengers quickened. The sudden stride of the message from Beraea to Athens—scarcely likely to have been taken by Paul without an impulse in the circumstances driving him forward. Yet, as so much depended on the one man's work, as no one else so fitted to lay the foundations of Christianity in Greece, he must be lifted... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:11

Now these for these, A.V.; examining for and searched, A.V.; these for those, A.V. Note the immense advantage which the preachers and the hearers had in the previous knowledge of the Scriptures gained by the Beraeans in the synagogue. Note also the mutual light shed by the Old and New Testaments the one upon the other. read more

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