Acts 17:11
in Acts 17Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.
KJV
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.
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This verse in Acts 17
Commentary
15 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
These were more noble - εὐγενέστεροι eugenesteroi. This literally means more noble by birth; descended from more illustrious ancestors. But here the word is used to denote a quality of mind and heart. They were more generous, liberal, and noble in their feelings; more disposed to inquire candidly into the truth of the doctrines advanced by Paul and Silas. It is always proof of a noble, liberal, and ingenuous disposition to be willing to examine into the truth of any doctrine presented. The writer refers here particularly to the Jews. In that - Because.
This site's exposition
Paul and Silas away to Berea
on Acts 17:10-12
Luke calls the Bereans more noble-minded than the Thessalonians because they received the message eagerly and examined the Scriptures every day. Many believed, Jews with prominent Greek women and men, the same mix the mission gathered in each city.
This site's exposition
examined the Scriptures every day
The verb for examined is a court word for judicial inquiry. Luke uses it of Pilate at Luke 23:14 and of the council questioning Peter and John at 4:9. The Bereans put the message on trial before the Scriptures.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
"These, however, were more noble." He says "more noble" instead of "more fair-minded." Not that they examined them as unbelievers, or were testing the Scriptures (for they were already believers), but as if unaware with the tradition of the ancient prophets, and therefore made stronger …
And Trypho said, "Prove this; for, as you see, the day advances, and we are not prepared for such perilous replies; since never yet have we heard any man investigating, or searching into, or proving these matters; nor would we have tolerated your conversation, had you not referred everything to the Scriptures: for you are very zealous in adducing proofs from them; and you are of opinion that there is no God above the Maker of all things."
A commentator
CyprianTreatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews · Written before 258.
proposed
More strength will be given you, and the intelligence of the heart will be effected more and more, as you examine more fully the Scriptures, old and new, and read through the complete volumes of the spiritual books. For now we have filled a small measure from the divine fountains, which in the meantime we would send to you. You will be able to drink more plentifully, and to be more abundantly satisfied, if you also will approach to drink together with us at the same springs of the divine fulness.
"Now these," it says, "were more noble than those in Thessalonica": i.e. they were not men practising base things, but some were convinced, and the others who were not, did nothing of that sort. "Daily," it says, "searching the Scriptures whether these things were so:" not merely upon a sudden impetus or burst of zeal. "More noble," it says: i.e. in point of virtue.
"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble," it says, "than they of Thessalonica: more noble," i.e. more gentle in their behavior: "in that they received the word with all readiness," and this not inconsiderately, but with a strictness wherein was no passion, "searching the Scriptures whether these things were so." ... "Now these," it says, "were more noble than those in Thessalonica:" i.e. they were not men practising base things, but some were convinced, and the others who were not, did nothing of that sort. "Daily," it says, "searching the Scriptures whether these things were so:" not merely upon a sudden impetus or burst of zeal. "More noble," it says: i.e. in point of virtue.
7 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church2 voices
These people were nobler than those who are in Thessalonica. He speaks of the nobility of soul which they had displayed in hearing and scrutinizing the word.
When he says "daily examining the Scriptures, whether these things were so," he means that they searched the Scriptures not as unbelievers (for they had already believed), but as those who did not know the prophetic traditions. Searching the Scriptures and finding that the events …
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
These were more ingenuous - Or generous. To be teachable in the things of God is true generosity of soul. The receiving the word with all readiness of mind, and the most accurate search into the truth, are well consistent.
Observe, [1.] The doctrine of Christ does not fear a scrutiny. We that are advocates for his cause desire no more than that people will not say, These things are not so, till they have first, without prejudice and partiality, examined whether they be so or no. [2.] The New Testament is to be examined by the Old.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
Mark the "nobility" ascribed to this state of mind. searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so--whether the Christian interpretation which the apostle put upon the Old Testament Scriptures was the true one.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica - Ησαν ευγενεϚεροι, Were of a better race, extraction, or birth, than those at Thessalonica; but the word refers more to their conduct, as a proof of their better disposition, than to their birth, or any peculiar lineal nobility. It was a maxim among the Jews, that “none was of a noble spirit who did not employ himself in the study of the law.” It appears that the Bereans were a better educated and more polished people than those at Thessalonica; in consequence far from persecuting: 1. They heard the doctrine of the Gospel attentively. 2. They received this doctrine with readiness of mind: when the evidence of its truth appeared to them sufficiently convincing, they had too much dignity of mind to refuse their assent, and too much ingenuousness to conceal their approbation. 3. They searched the Scriptures, i.e. of the Old Testament, to see whether these thing were so: to see whether the promises and types corresponded with the alleged fulfillment in the person, works, and sufferings of Jesus Christ. 4. They continued in this work; they searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The words behind it
23 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| οὗτοι | houtoi | These | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| δὲ | de | now | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| ἦσαν | esan | were | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| εὐγενέστεροι | eugenesteroi | more noble | G2104 → | |
| τῶν | ton | than those | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| Θεσσαλονίκῃ, | thessalonike | Thessalonica, | G2332 → | 5 times |
| οἵτινες | oitines | who | G3748 → | 144 times |
| ἐδέξαντο | edexanto | received | G1209 → | 56 times |
| τὸν | ton | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| λόγον | logon | word | G3056 → | 329 times |
| μετὰ | meta | with | G3326 → | 461 times |
| πάσης | pases | all | G3956 → | 1235 times |
| προθυμίας | prothumias | readiness | G4288 → | |
| καθ᾽ | kath᾽ | every | G2596 → | 468 times |
| ἡμέραν | hemeran | day | G2250 → | 389 times |
| ἀνακρίνοντες | anakrinontes | examining | G350 → | 16 times |
| τὰς | tas | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| γραφὰς | graphas | Scriptures | G1124 → | 49 times |
| εἰ | ei | if | G1487 → | 508 times |
| ἔχοι | echoi | would be | G2192 → | 707 times |
| ταῦτα | tauta | these things | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| οὕτως.¶ | houtos | so. | G3779 → | 208 times |
οὗτοιThese
houtoiG3778 →1381 times
δὲnow
deG1161 →2765 times
ἦσανwere
esanG1510 →2333 times
εὐγενέστεροιmore noble
eugenesteroiG2104 →
τῶνthan those
tonG3588 →19766 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
Θεσσαλονίκῃ,Thessalonica,
thessalonikeG2332 →5 times
οἵτινεςwho
oitinesG3748 →144 times
ἐδέξαντοreceived
edexantoG1209 →56 times
τὸνthe
tonG3588 →19766 times
λόγονword
logonG3056 →329 times
μετὰwith
metaG3326 →461 times
πάσηςall
pasesG3956 →1235 times
προθυμίαςreadiness
prothumiasG4288 →
καθ᾽every
kath᾽G2596 →468 times
ἡμέρανday
hemeranG2250 →389 times
ἀνακρίνοντεςexamining
anakrinontesG350 →16 times
τὰςthe
tasG3588 →19766 times
γραφὰςScriptures
graphasG1124 →49 times
εἰif
eiG1487 →508 times
ἔχοιwould be
echoiG2192 →707 times
ταῦταthese things
tautaG3778 →1381 times
οὕτως.¶so.
houtosG3779 →208 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Thessalonians 2:13And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the…
it leads to
- Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
- 1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
- Hebrews 4:12
Through
John 5:39You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,
it leads to
- Luke 24:27
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.
- Luke 24:44
Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets,…
- 2 Peter 1:19–21
We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day…
- Luke 24:27
Through
Isaiah 34:16Search and read the scroll of the LORD: Not one of these will go missing, not one will lack her mate, because He has ordered it by His mouth, and He will gather them…
it leads to
- Psalms 33:9
For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.
- Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper…
- Psalms 33:9
Where this verse is studied
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About Acts
This page draws on 15 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Albert Barnes, Notes on Acts; Bede, Commentary on Acts; Cyprian, Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentary upon the Acts of the Apostles; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 37; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter LVI; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, Commentary on Acts and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Acts.