Paul's Message in Thessalonica and Berea

Paul and his companions passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As he usually did, Paul went in and, over three Sabbath days, reasoned with the people from the Scriptures.

He explained from the Scriptures that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead. Paul announced that Jesus is this Christ. Some people were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including many devout Greeks and quite a few leading women.

But others in Thessalonica were not persuaded. They gathered troublemakers from the marketplace, stirred up a crowd, and rushed at Jason’s house, looking for Paul and Silas. When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the believers before the city rulers and accused them. The city was troubled, and Jason and the others were released only after giving security.

So the brothers sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went to the synagogue there as well. The people in Berea responded differently. They received the message eagerly and examined the Scriptures every day to see whether Paul’s teaching was true.

Many people in Berea believed, including prominent Greek women and a number of men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica heard that Paul was proclaiming God’s word in Berea too, they came there and stirred up the crowds. The brothers quickly sent Paul off as far as the sea, while Silas and Timothy stayed there. Paul’s escorts brought him to Athens, and they left with his message that Silas and Timothy should come to him as soon as possible.