Acts 17:10

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Acts 17:10

In the previous verse, security was taken from Jason and those with him and they were released. Now, it continues, saying, “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away.”

This may have been something mentioned by those who held their bail. Part of the conditions may have been to get Paul and Silas out of Jason’s house, or it could be that they were to hand them over to the city leaders and to avoid that, they sent them away. It could also just be that they knew Paul and Silas were targets of the Jews and wanted to keep them from being harmed.

The latter reason, because it is so similar to Paul’s other interactions with disbelieving Jews, seems most likely. However, regardless of the reason, Paul and Silas were immediately sent away, “by night.”

The Greek reads, dia nyktos, through night. Under the cover of night, they were sent out of the area. This is not unlike what occurred in Acts 9 –

“Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.” Acts 9:23-25

In sending Paul and Silas away, it next says that it was “to Berea.” The name Berea comes from the word peran, meaning “over,” “on the other side,” or “beyond.” Thus, it is the region beyond the coastline. Of this location, Wikipedia says –

“Berea was in southwestern Macedonia. The city's foundation stood where Veria, or Kar-Verria, in Greece is today. It is a unique position [and] has had a variety of terrain surrounding the city since then.

Berea sat at the base of Mount Bermius, which is part of the Vermio Mountains and provides an ample supply of water for the city and the region. The main sources of water were the Haliacmon and Axios Rivers, which supported apple, peach and pear orchards. The area is prosperous with a hydroelectric dam on the Haliacmon powering the area's industrial sector.”

With that noted, it next says, “When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.” 

This is Paul’s standard way of entering into a new city, at least as far as Luke’s focus is concerned. Nothing else is recorded concerning their arrival and time in Berea until he goes to the synagogue. It shows that Paul’s main focus was to first bring the word to his own people and any proselytes who were there. From that point, he could then continue to branch out in his evangelistic efforts.

It also shows that, despite repeated attacks from his own people, he was willing to continue to evangelize them. It reflects the attitude of his words to those in Rome. Paul desperately wanted his own countrymen to come to a saving knowledge of Christ. He was willing to expend himself and even place his life in danger to do so.

Life application: It would be an argument from silence to say that Paul did not speak to any Gentiles while before going into the synagogue in Berea. Luke’s focus for the narrative is to show that Paul was always willing to go into the synagogue and share his faith with them as his top priority.

However, if Paul and Silas arrived in Berea on a Tuesday, they would have several days until the Sabbath to talk to others. It is unlikely they would have said, “No, we have to wait to give the good news to the synagogue first.” Rather, they would have spoken to whoever as the occasion arose. The focus of the narrative is to highlight Paul’s modus operandi, not to give a complete record of everything he and Silas did.

As you read the Bible, be sure to contemplate why things are recorded as they are. A single turn of the page can be a jump ahead in time of weeks, months, or even years. Innumerable things are skipped over because they are not relevant to the narrative. Consider the main focus of what God is conveying to you and think about His reasons for doing so. This is a great help in understanding why things are laid out as they are.

Heavenly Father, may our time in Scripture be a time of fellowshipping with You, understanding Your mind as it is revealed to us, and as a light and guide for our own lives as we draw nearer and nearer to You. Help us to consider Your word as being a guide for humanity to understand You and our relationship with You. Thank You for the coming of Jesus, O God, who then makes all this clear and understandable. Amen.