Acts 17:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Opponents from Thessalonica follow Paul to Berea and stir up the crowds there as well.
What Does Acts 17:13 Mean?
Berea's peace is brief. Hearing that Paul is preaching the word of God fifty miles away, the same opponents travel from Thessalonica to repeat their tactics, shaking and stirring the Berean crowds as they had stirred their own city.
Zeal against the gospel can be as missionary as the gospel itself -- these men crossed real distance to hinder what Paul had crossed the world to give. Notice what Luke says was actually preached: "the word of God." That is what lay beneath all the agitation. Yet opposition that chases the word from town to town testifies, despite itself, that the word is going somewhere; no one pursues a message that has no power.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 17:13
What does Acts 17:13 mean?
Opponents from Thessalonica follow Paul to Berea and stir up the crowds there as well.