Acts 17:10
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Original Language Analysis
Οἱ
G3588
Οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφοὶ
the brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὶ
the brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
3 of 24
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
5 of 24
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τόν
G3588
τόν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλον
Paul
G3972
Παῦλον
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
11 of 24
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
παραγενόμενοι
coming
G3854
παραγενόμενοι
coming
Strong's:
G3854
Word #:
18 of 24
to become near, i.e., approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
19 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συναγωγὴν
the synagogue
G4864
συναγωγὴν
the synagogue
Strong's:
G4864
Word #:
21 of 24
an assemblage of persons; specially, a jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by analogy, a christian church
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 17:2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,Acts 20:4And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.1 Thessalonians 2:2But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
Historical Context
Acts 17 documents Paul's second missionary journey (AD 49-52) through Macedonia. Berea (modern Veria, Greece) was a Macedonian city with a significant Jewish community. The synagogue strategy was standard for Diaspora Judaism: Saturday Sabbath gatherings provided natural access to both Jews and "God-fearing" Gentiles who attended. Luke wrote Acts circa AD 60-62, emphasizing the gospel's spread despite opposition.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the Thessalonian believers model protective care for gospel ministers facing persecution today?
- What does Paul's immediate return to synagogue ministry reveal about mission priority versus personal safety?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea—The Thessalonian believers demonstrated spiritual wisdom and protective love by swiftly evacuating Paul and Silas under cover of darkness. The Greek εὐθέως (eutheōs, "immediately") emphasizes the urgency; the mob violence instigated by jealous Jews (v. 5-9) made delay dangerous. Berea lay 50 miles southwest, off the main Egnatian Way, offering strategic obscurity.
Who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews—Paul's unshakable missionary pattern: despite persecution in Thessalonica, he returned first to the synagogue in Berea (cf. Romans 1:16, "to the Jew first"). This reflects both theological priority (Israel's covenant privilege) and practical strategy (God-fearers in synagogues formed the initial nucleus of Gentile churches). The text hints at Paul's apostolic resilience—beaten, mobbed, and night-fled, yet immediately resuming gospel proclamation.