Sharing the Truth—Even When It’s Hard (Acts 17:1–15)
In Acts 17, we see the apostle Paul and his team continuing their journey to share the good news of Jesus. They visit two cities—Thessalonica and Berea—and have very different experiences in each place. Some people welcome the message, and others try to shut it down. But no matter what, Paul keeps going.
This part of Acts reminds us that telling others about Jesus isn’t always easy—but it’s always worth it.
In Thessalonica: Some Believe, Others Get Angry
Paul and his companion Silas arrived in Thessalonica, a busy city. As usual, Paul went to the Jewish synagogue to speak with people about Jesus. For three Sabbaths (three weeks), he explained from the Scriptures how the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. He told them:
“This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah!”
Some people believed—both Jews and Greeks, and even some influential women. But others were jealous. They didn’t like Paul getting attention or people following this new teaching.
So, what did they do? They started a riot in the city. They looked for Paul and Silas but couldn’t find them, so they grabbed a believer named Jason, who had welcomed Paul into his home. They dragged Jason to the city officials and accused Paul’s team of:
“Turning the world upside down and saying there’s another king—Jesus!”
Even though Jason hadn’t done anything wrong, the officials made him pay money as a guarantee that there wouldn’t be more trouble. That night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to keep them safe.
In Berea: Open Hearts and Eager Minds
Next, Paul and Silas went to Berea, another city nearby. The people there were different—they were more open-minded and willing to listen.
They didn’t just accept what Paul said blindly. Instead, they searched the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. And guess what? Many of them believed! Both men and women, Jews and Greeks.
But then some of the people from Thessalonica heard that Paul was in Berea, and they came to stir up trouble again.
To protect Paul, the believers quickly sent him away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed behind for a little while. Later, Paul would ask for them to join him in the next city.
What We Can Learn from Acts 17:1–15
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Some people are ready to hear the truth—some are not
In Thessalonica, Paul faced resistance. In Berea, people listened carefully. We can’t control how others respond, but we can keep sharing with love and truth. -
Search the Scriptures for yourself
The Bereans are a great example! They didn’t just take Paul’s word—they opened the Bible and checked it for themselves. That’s a wise and faithful thing to do. -
Opposition doesn’t mean failure
Paul faced riots and rejection, but he didn’t give up. Sharing the gospel is worth it, even when it’s hard. -
God uses both open doors and closed ones
Even when Paul had to leave cities suddenly, God used those moments to lead him to new places and people who needed to hear about Jesus.
Final Thought:
The message of Jesus really does turn the world upside down—in the best way. It brings new life, new hope, and new purpose. Like the Bereans, let’s be eager to listen, search, and believe. And like Paul, let’s keep sharing—no matter what.
Acts 17:1-15 (WEB)
17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 Paul, as was his custom, went in to them; and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas: of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. 5 But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. 6 When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!” 8 The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things. 9 When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes. 14 Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there. 15 But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.