Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 17:14

"And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still." — Acts 17:14 (ASV)

The brethren. Those who were Christians.

Sent away Paul. In order to secure his safety. A similar thing had been done in Thessalonica (Acts 17:10). The uproar was great. There was no doubt—such was the hostility of the Jews—that Paul's life would be endangered, and they therefore resolved to secure his safety.

As it were. Rather, "even to the sea," for that is its meaning. It does not imply that there was any deception or trickery involved, as if they intended to deceive their pursuers. They took him to the sea coast, not far from Berea, and from that place he probably went by sea to Athens.