Acts 17:10 - The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.

Generated Verse: Acts 17:10

What does "Acts 17:10" mean?


Acts 17:10 describes a key moment in Paul and Silas's second missionary journey, detailing their escape from persecution in Thessalonica and their subsequent arrival in Beroea. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:

"The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea."
The brothers: This refers to the Christian believers in Thessalonica. They were concerned for Paul and Silas's safety.
Immediately: The urgency suggests the situation in Thessalonica had become dangerous quickly.
Sent...away by night: This indicates they were fleeing secretly, likely to avoid confrontation with those who were persecuting them. It's a stealthy departure.
Beroea: This was a city in Macedonia (modern-day Greece), southwest of Thessalonica. It was a strategic location to continue their mission, likely chosen because it was somewhat removed from the immediate conflict. The believers were facilitating Paul and Silas's escape and continued ministry.

"When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue."
They: Refers to Paul and Silas.
Went into the Jewish synagogue: This was Paul's standard practice in new cities. He would begin by preaching the gospel in the synagogue because it was where Jews and God-fearing Gentiles gathered, providing an initial audience familiar with the Old Testament scriptures. He always prioritized preaching to the Jews first, as they were the covenant people of God.

In summary, the verse indicates:

Paul and Silas faced opposition and danger in Thessalonica due to their preaching about Jesus.
The Christian community in Thessalonica helped them escape to Beroea to protect them.
Upon arriving in Beroea, Paul and Silas followed their usual missionary strategy of going to the Jewish synagogue to share the gospel with the Jewish community and any Gentiles who worshipped there.

Underlying implications:

The verse highlights the challenges early Christians faced in spreading the gospel, including persecution and the need for strategic planning.
It underscores the importance of community support and mutual care among believers.
It demonstrates Paul's consistent missionary strategy of prioritizing the Jewish people in his preaching.