Acts 17:1-15 : Easy-to-Read Version
Paul and Silas in Thessalonica
17 1Paul and Silas traveled through the cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia. They came to the city of Thessalonica. In that city there was a Jewish synagogue.* 2Paul went into this synagogue to see the Jews. This is what he always did. Every Sabbath day* for three weeks Paul talked with the Jews about the Scriptures.* 3Paul explained these Scriptures to the Jews. He showed that the Christ* must die and then rise from death. Paul said "This man Jesus that I am telling you about is the Christ." 4Some of the Jews there believed Paul and Silas and decided to join them. Also, there were some Greek men who worshiped the true God and some important women. A large group of the men and many of the women joined Paul and Silas. 5But the Jews [that did not believe] became jealous. They hired some bad men from the city. These bad men gathered many people and made trouble in the city. They went to Jason's house, looking for Paul and Silas. They wanted to bring Paul and Silas out before the people. 6But they did not find Paul and Silas. So the people dragged Jason and some of the other believers to the leaders of the city. The people yelled, "These men (Paul and Silas) have made trouble everywhere in the world. And now they have come here too! 7Jason is keeping them in his house. They all do things against the laws of Caesar.* They say there is another king called Jesus." 8The leaders of the city and the other people heard these things. They became very upset. 9They made Jason and the other believers pay a fine. Then they let the believers go free.
Paul and Silas Go to Berea
10That same night the believers sent Paul and Silas to another city named Berea. In Berea, Paul and Silas went to the Jewish synagogue.* 11These Jews were better people than the Jews in Thessalonica. These Jews were very happy to listen to the things Paul and Silas said. These Jews in Berea studied the Scriptures* every day. They wanted to know if these things were true. 12Many of these Jews believed. Many important Greek men and Greek women also believed. 13But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was telling the word of God in Berea, they came to Berea too. The Jews from Thessalonica upset the people in Berea and made trouble. 14So the believers sent Paul away quickly to the sea. But Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. 15The believers that went with Paul took him to the city of Athens. These brothers carried a message from Paul back to Silas and Timothy. The message said, "Come to me as soon as you can."
synagogue(s) Synagogues were places where Jews gathered for prayer, study of the Scriptures, and other public meetings. Sabbath day The seventh day of the Jewish week. It was a special religious day for the Jews. Scriptures Holy Writings--the Old Testament. Christ The "anointed one" (Messiah) or chosen one of God. Caesar The name given to the emperor (ruler) of Rome.