Berea

Overview

• Type: City
• Testament: New
• Modern Location: Veria, in northern Greece (Macedonia)

Biblical Significance

Berea was a Macedonian city to which Paul and Silas were sent away by night after opposition arose in Thessalonica during the second missionary journey (Acts 17:10). The Bereans became a model of faithful hearing: Luke records that they “were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Their willingness to test apostolic preaching against Scripture, rather than rejecting it outright, led many of them to believe, including honourable Greek women and men. The peace was broken when Jews from Thessalonica came to stir up the crowds, forcing Paul to depart toward Athens while Silas and Timothy remained behind for a time (Acts 17:13-15). Berea endures as the Bible’s enduring picture of diligent, Scripture-searching faith.

Key Events

• Paul preaches in the synagogue and the Bereans search the scriptures daily (Acts 17:10-12)
• Agitators from Thessalonica drive Paul on toward Athens (Acts 17:13-15)

Key People Associated

• Paul (Apostle) — preached in the synagogue at Berea
• Silas — accompanied Paul and remained behind

Important Verses

• Acts 17:10-13

Cross-References

• Acts — account of Paul’s Macedonian ministry
• Thessalonica — the city whose opposition sent Paul to Berea

Notes

• “Berean” has become a byword for testing all teaching against the Scriptures.