But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

ACTS 17:13KJV
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Acts 17:13 (KJV)

What does Acts 17:13 mean?

Acts 17:13 describes opposition to Paul’s preaching that followed him from one city to another. After some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was proclaiming God’s message in Berea, they went there and stirred up the people against him.

The phrase “the Jews of Thessalonica” refers to the people involved in this action, not to every Jewish person in the city. Acts places their arrival after a number of Bereans had believed Paul’s message (verse 12).

The Greek behind Acts 17:13

  • “preached” — καταγγέλλω (katangellō): This word carries the sense of announcing or proclaiming a message. The emphasis is on Paul making the word of God known publicly.
  • “stirred up” — σαλεύω (saleuō): This word can mean to shake or unsettle. Here the Greek pictures people being roused into disturbance.

Why Acts 17:13 matters

  • The opposition came from outside Berea. Acts identifies the people who came as “the Jews of Thessalonica,” linking them to the earlier trouble Paul faced there.
  • The response in Berea was not all one-sided. Verse 12 reports that many believed, while verse 13 describes an effort to turn people against Paul.
  • The disturbance changed Paul’s movements. In verse 14, the believers sent Paul away, while Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea.

Where else these words appear

“Berea” Greek G960 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

“Thessalonica” Greek G2332 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
  • Acts 17:11 These 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.
  • Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

“also” Greek G2546 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
  • Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
  • Acts 14:7 And there they preached the gospel.

“up” Greek G4531 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
  • Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
  • Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.