Acts 17:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
Ὡς
when
G5613
Ὡς
when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 26
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἔγνωσαν
had knowledge
G1097
ἔγνωσαν
had knowledge
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
3 of 26
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 26
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
9 of 26
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
καὶ
G2532
καὶ
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
15 of 26
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παύλου
Paul
G3972
Παύλου
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
17 of 26
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγος
the word
G3056
λόγος
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
19 of 26
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
21 of 26
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἦλθον
they came
G2064
ἦλθον
they came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
22 of 26
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
σαλεύοντες
and stirred up
G4531
σαλεύοντες
and stirred up
Strong's:
G4531
Word #:
24 of 26
to waver, i.e., agitate, rock, topple or (by implication) destroy; figuratively, to disturb, incite
Historical Context
This occurred around AD 50-51 during Paul's second missionary journey. Thessalonica and Berea were both Macedonian cities along the Via Egnatia, Rome's major east-west highway. The Thessalonian synagogue had previously expelled Paul after only three weeks (17:2), and their pursuit to Berea shows how the early church faced organized opposition that crossed city boundaries.
Questions for Reflection
- How does persistent opposition to the gospel in one location sometimes follow faithful ministers to new fields, and how should this shape expectations for ministry?
- What does the contrast between the noble Bereans (17:11) and the agitated crowds (17:13) reveal about the difference between genuine truth-seeking and mob mentality?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge (ἐγνώσαν, egnōsan)—The hostile Jewish opposition did not remain localized but actively pursued Paul's ministry. The verb indicates they "came to know" or "learned" that Paul was preaching in Berea, approximately 50 miles southwest of Thessalonica. This demonstrates the intensity of their opposition to the gospel.
They came thither also, and stirred up the people (ἐταράσσοντες, etarassontes)—The verb means "to agitate, trouble, stir into commotion." The Thessalonian Jews left their own city to sabotage Paul's work in Berea, revealing religious persecution's relentless nature. Unlike Thessalonica (17:5) where they incited the marketplace mob, here they targeted the general populace. This forced Paul's departure (v.14) but reveals how the noble Bereans (v.11) were vulnerable to outside agitators despite their initial receptivity to Scripture.