Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 17:13

"But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes." — Acts 17:13 (ASV)

The Thessalonian Jews, on hearing that “the word of God” was being preached at Berea, sent a delegation there to stir up the same opposition as at Thessalonica. Evidently the Berean Christians recognized that not only was Paul not safe at Thessalonica but he was not safe anywhere else in the region, because the Thessalonian Jews had the ear of the provincial authorities. So the Bereans acted immediately as if they were taking Paul to a coastal town to sail for some other country. Having thrown their opponents off the track, they escorted Paul down to the province of Achaia and into Athens, apparently to stay there with some of their relatives. Silas and Timothy remained in Berea since they were not in such danger as Paul. But when those accompanying Paul to Athens returned to Berea, they brought a message from Paul for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible—doubtless because he saw that Athens was another strategic center for proclaiming the Gospel and wanted Silas and Timothy with him. The movements of Silas and Timothy after Paul left them at Berea are rather difficult to trace, because Luke was not always concerned with details of the minor characters in his narrative and because Paul’s references to their activities are somewhat incidental and allusive. But in accord with Paul’s instructions, Silas and Timothy rejoined Paul at Athens (1 Thessalonians 3:1). Then Timothy was sent back to Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:2). Silas, however, seems to have gone back to Macedonia (cf. 18:5—probably to Philippi, where he received from the young congregation there a gift of money for the support of the missionaries). In the meantime, Paul moved from Athens to Corinth (Acts 18:1) and was rejoined there by Silas and Timothy (18:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:6).