Acts 17:12
What does Acts 17:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 17:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 17:12 means
The Bereans’ careful approach bears fruit: many believe. Again Luke notes the presence of women of honorable estate and a significant number of men, showing wide and dignified acceptance. Faith born of Scripture examination is robust. People are not won merely by novelty but by seeing that God’s promises and purposes converge in Jesus. The mention of social standing underscores that the gospel is not confined to any class. Truth commends itself across the spectrum when hearts are willing to inquire. Where the word is welcomed and tested, it produces conviction strong enough to endure the pressures that soon arrive from outside.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And a number of them had faith, and no small number of the Greek women of high position and of the men.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862many, indeed, therefore, of them did believe, and of the honourable Greek women and men not a few.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And many indeed of them believed: and of honourable women that were Gentiles and of men, not a few.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore many from among them believed, and of Grecian women of the upper classes and men not a few.
Context
This verse concludes the immediate Berean response described in verse 11: readiness plus daily Scripture inquiry leads to belief for many. But the pattern of opposition persists. The next verse (13) reports that hostile Jews from Thessalonica learn of Paul’s ministry in Beroea and stir up trouble there too. That threat prompts the believers to send Paul toward the sea (verse 14), while Silas and Timothy remain to steady the new believers. From there, Paul will be conducted to Athens and summon his coworkers to join him (verse 15).
v.11Now 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.
v.12This passage
v.13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 13:46
And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
- John 1:45
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
- Ephesians 5:14
Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.
- Acts 13:50
But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders.
- Psalms 25:8
Good and upright is Jehovah: Therefore will he instruct sinners in the way.
- James 1:10
and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
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