Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

ACTS 17:12KJV
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Acts 17:12 (KJV)

What does Acts 17:12 mean?

Acts 17:12 reports that many people in the city believed the message Paul and Silas shared, including a number of respected Greek women and quite a few men. The verse highlights that the response to the gospel was significant and included people of influence and different backgrounds.

Paul and Silas were in Berea, speaking in the Jewish synagogue. The people there listened carefully and checked the Scriptures for themselves, leading many to faith. The verse points out that not only Jewish listeners but also prominent Greek women and men responded, showing the broad appeal and impact of the message in this setting.

The Greek behind Acts 17:12

  • The word "believed" (ἐπίστευσαν, episteusan) means to trust or have faith. This word emphasizes that the response was not just intellectual agreement but a genuine trust in what was being taught.
  • The term "honourable" (εὐσχήμων, euschēmōn) refers to people of high standing or respect in society. Noting that honourable women believed shows that the message reached influential members of the community, not just the general population.
  • The phrase "not a few" (οὐκ ὀλίγοι, ouk oligoi) is a Greek way of saying "quite a lot." It underlines that the number of men who believed was significant, even if an exact count is not given.

Why Acts 17:12 matters

  • Acts 17:12 clears up the idea that early Christian belief was limited to a small group or only to Jewish people; it shows that the message was accepted by a diverse and influential audience.
  • The verse highlights the openness of the Bereans, who examined the message carefully, leading to a broad and genuine response.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing a contrast with other cities where Paul faced more resistance, emphasizing the unique and positive response in Berea.

Where else these words appear

“Greeks” Greek G1674 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 7:26 The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.

“honourable” Greek G2158 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
  • Acts 13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

“few” Greek G3641 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
  • Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
  • 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.