The Fair-mindedness Of The Berean Jews

Acts 17:11 ESV Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Acts 17:11 says that the Berean Jews were “more noble than those in Thessalonica.” Why is a comparison being made here?

Previously in Thessalonica, Paul had “reasoned with [the Jews] from the Scriptures.” (v. 2) How did the Thessalonian Jews respond? Some of them accepted Paul’s reasonings (v. 4). However, those who did not accept Paul’s reasonings “became jealous” (v. 5). Their emotions boiled within them.

Unlike the Thessalonian Jews who responded with heated emotions, the Berean Jews were “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so”. The Greek word for “examine” here is the verb anakrinō, which means to examine closely. The Berean Jews made a thorough study through the Scriptures, diligently looking out for any discrepancies between Paul’s teaching and the Scriptures. It did not even matter that Paul had been able to perform miracles in the name of God! Moreover, they did this “daily”, signifying that it was a tedious and time-consuming effort which took them several days!

There are some who say that if you examined a teacher’s teaching according to the Bible, then you are not receiving the word readily or willingly, and God is not pleased with such an attitude. However, that is not at all true. The Bible says that the Berean Jews “received the word with all readiness” precisely because they were examining Paul’s teaching according to the Scriptures! Because of the attitude of the Berean Jews, the biblical text esteems them as “more noble” or “of more noble character” (NIV) than the Thessalonian Jews.

God certainly honours those who are critical about any teaching, even if—as in the case of the Berean Jews—that teaching is truly of God! If we truly believe that our ultimate and final authority is God and not man, then our attitudes should be like that of the Berean Jews, who did not immediately accept a teaching, but instead were “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so”.