S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The Bereans were residents of the city of Berea in Macedonia. Paul and Silas preached to them during Paul's second missionary journey. The account of Paul and Silas in this location is recorded in ...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Who were the Bereans in the Bible?

The Bereans were a group of noble and open-minded people in the ancient city of Berea (modern-day Veria, Greece) who, around AD 50, eagerly received the Apostle Paul's message about Jesus and then diligently studied the Old Testament Scriptures every day to verify its truth.

The Bereans lived in Berea, a city in the Roman province of Macedonia, and they were known for their noble character, open-mindedness, and eagerness to learn. They were also Jewish and Greek individuals, and many were of high standing within their communities. 

It was about 50 C.E. when Paul and Silas arrived at Beroea after a nighttime departure from Thessalonica made necessary by mob violence. Beroea had a Jewish community and a synagogue in which the two missionaries preached. The readiness of the Beroeans to give ear to their message, and their diligence in examining the Scriptures in search of confirmation of the things learned, earned them the commendation found at Acts 17:11

Paul began his preaching in Beroea in the city's synagogue. How was he received? The inspired account reports that the Jews there "were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so." (Acts 17:10, 11) Being "noble-minded," they did not stubbornly cling to their traditions. Although they were hearing something new, they were not suspicious or ill-tempered. Instead of rejecting Paul's message, they were attentive, giving it a fair hearing and doing so free of partiality.

Interestingly, though, how could those Jews recognise the ring of truth in Paul's teaching? 

They tested what they heard by using the most trustworthy touchstone. They carefully and diligently searched the Scriptures. Bible scholar Matthew Henry concluded: "Since Paul reasoned out of the scriptures, and referred them to the Old Testament for the proof of what he said, they had recourse to their Bibles, turned to the places to which he referred them, read the context, considered the scope and drift of them, compared them with other places of scripture, examined whether Paul's inferences from them were natural and genuine and his arguments upon them cogent, and determined accordingly."

This was no one-time casual look. The Beroeans applied themselves to a diligent, ongoing study, taking the time to do this daily, not just on the Sabbath.

11 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report