Acts 17:14

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 17:14

And then immediately the brethren ,.... That were at Berea, the new converts there: sent away Paul , whom they knew the Jews mostly sought after, and were offended with: to go as it were to the sea ; the Aegean sea, or Archipelago, near to which Berea was: this seems to have been done, in order to make the people conclude that he intended to take shipping, and go into some other parts of the world, when the design was to go to Athens by foot, and so be safe from any lying in wait of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 17:14

To go as it were to the sea - This passage is generally understood to mean that the disciples took Paul towards the sea, as if he had intended to embark, and return to Troas, but with the real design to go to Athens. But it is more likely that his conductors, in order to his greater safety, left the public or more frequented road, and took him coastwise to Athens. Or, by taking a vessel at that part of the sea nearest to Berea, they might have coasted it to Athens, which was quite a possible... 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 17:14

Forth for away, A.V.; as far as for as it were ( ἕως for ὡς ), A.V. and T.R.; and for but, A.V. and T.R.; Timothy for Timotheus, A.V. As far as to the sea . If the reading of the T.R. is right, ὡς merely indicates the direction. Literally, ὡς ἐπὶ κ . τ . λ , means "with the thought of going to the sea," but thence, by a common usage, it describes the action without reference to the thought. The English phrase, "they made for the sea," is nearly... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 17:14

The brethren - Those who were Christians.Sent away Paul - In order to secure his safety. A similar thing had been done in Thessalonica, Acts 17:10. The tumult was great; and there was no doubt, such was the hostility of the Jews, that the life of Paul would be endangered, and they there fore resolved to secure his safety.As it were - Rather, “even to the sea,” for that is its signification. It does not imply that there was any feint or sleight in the case, as if they intended to deceive their... read more

Group of Brands