About 50 miles from Thessalonica, Berea was situated on the eastern slopes of Mt. Vermion in the area known as the Olympian mountain range. The area was remote, well off the Egnatian Way and away from the seas. Berea was probably the most populated city in the area, serving as the capital of one of the four main divisions of Macedonia from the years 167 – 148BC. The journey to Berea for Paul was aided by believers from Thessalonica. For their safety, they traveled at night on a journey that would have roughly taken three days on foot in daylight.
The brothers in Thessalonica help Paul escape by night. We know a few brothers by name. Jason, with whom the companions stayed, is mentioned again in Corinth (Romans 16:21). Aristarchus and Secundus will go to Jerusalem with Paul (Acts 20:3). Aristarchus actually continues with Paul on his journey to Rome (Acts 27:2). Paul’s work in Thessalonica impacted people deeply.
From these locations, persecution breaks forth that persecution was common for new believers in Christ. Anger against Paul spurred on-going persecution against Christians in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Thessalonians 3:3-5; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7). Although they have no jurisdiction in Berea, mobs from Thessalonica stirred up trouble there (Acts 17:13).
The source of the persecution at this time was from Jewish leadership. The source of their anger may seem to be theological – the acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah. Some of their rage may come from a jealousy over losing followers to the new Way. Of course, finance becomes a factor in almost everything. People following a different religion would be giving their tithes and offerings elsewhere. At this time, Rome only became involved in the skirmishes when peace and safety was endangered.
Berea had a synagogue so Paul and his companions began their work within its courts. Luke mentions the character of the people of Berea in comparison to other locations. Judaism regarded those who weighed everything against Scripture with high esteem. Greek philosophers also praised those who were studious listeners. Luke admires their enthusiasm for Paul’s preaching and their unbiased study of the Scripture. The word he uses, ἀνακρίνω (ANA-KREE-NO), means to learn the nature or truth of something by the process of careful study, evaluation and judgment. It is a judicial term used in court settings and investigations. It is the verb used when Herod examined Jesus (Luke 23:6-16), when the Sanhedrin questioned Peter and John (Acts 4:9), and when Felix critically questioned Paul (Acts 24:8). The word implies integrity and thoroughness of investigation.
It is no wonder that many small groups for Bible study call themselves “Bereans.” Their fame has been cemented by Luke for eternity as those who study Scripture at a deeper level, daily weighing life in the balance of the truth of the Word.
These few verses of Scripture tell us a little about the cities which Paul visited. We can evaluate something of Paul’s success in the Berean area. “Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men” (Acts 17:12). One of these Greek men was probably Sopater son of Pyrrhus. He is named by Luke in Acts 20:4 (compare also Romans 16:21). This leads us to one more thought in our Mediterranean Moments in Berea.
This phrase Luke uses is different than “God-fearers” (Acts 10:2; Acts 10:22; Acts 13:16) or “God-worshippers” (Acts 13:43; Acts 16:14; Acts 17:4; Acts 17:17; Acts 18:7). “God-fearers” were Gentiles who had respect for Jewish monotheism and morality. They attended synagogue regularly. They worshiped God and kept His commands. Many had spent time learning Scriptures. At this point in Berea, the “Greek women and men” were individuals who converted to Christianity from a secular or pagan tradition.
Even within a synagogue setting, Paul’s primary focus was upon Gentile God-worshippers. This fits nicely into his understood calling from God (Galatians 1:16) and his agreement with the twelve disciples (Galatians 2:7-9). These Gentiles were already knowledgeable in the Scriptures. They would be prepared to comprehend his message more quickly than someone with no training in Jewish traditions and background.
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