Jews stirring up the crowds

“But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds.” (1) When the Jews of Thessalonica heard that Paul was also preaching in Berea, they gathered a delegation. They traveled about 50 miles (80 km) to Berea and incited the crowd, causing an uproar. (2) The Jews of Thessalonica and those of Berea stand in contrast to each other. (a) The Jews of Berea examined whether Paul’s teaching aligned with Scripture. (b) The Jews of Thessalonica persistently persecuted Paul. They themselves were the “men who have upset the world.”

The escape

“Then immediately the brothers sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there.” (1) Paul left Berea with the help of the believers, but Silas and Timothy stayed behind in Berea. (2) There are two possible routes for Paul’s escape: (a) He traveled by sea from Berea to Athens. (b) He appeared to take the sea route but traveled by land instead. (3) This marks the end of his mission in Macedonia, and next, his ministry in Achaia will begin. “Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.” (1) The believers from Berea escorted Paul all the way to Athens (about 193 miles). (2) Silas and Timothy stayed behind in Berea to continue the work of discipleship. Paul instructed them to join him as soon as possible. (3) While waiting for the two in Athens, Paul carried out his ministry there alone. (4) Later, Silas and Timothy joined Paul in Athens, but Paul sent them back to Macedonia Timothy to Thessalonica (1 Thess. 3:2) and likely Silas to Berea. The three would reunite again in Corinth (Acts 18:5). Leaving Berea early might seem like a failure, but it is not. Moving forward for the sake of evangelism is biblically sound. Matthew 10:23 states, “But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.” This was a teaching Jesus gave to the twelve disciples, but it has a universal application. If the ground where the seed is sown is barren, one should move on and sow the seed in a new place.