Acts 17 · Verse 14

Acts 17:14

And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

Acts 17:14, King James Version

Acts 17:14 in other translations

BSB	The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
WEB	Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there.
ASV	And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.
YLT	and then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul, to go on as it were to the sea, but both Silas and Timothy were remaining there.
DARBY	And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as to the sea; but Silas and Timotheus abode there.
BBE	So the brothers sent Paul straight away to the sea: but Silas and Timothy kept there still.
Webster	And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul, to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timothy abode there still.

What does Acts 17:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

14. immediately the brethren--the converts gathered at Berea. sent away Paul--as before from Jerusalem (Ac 9:30), and from Thessalonica (Ac 17:10). How long he stayed at Berea we know not; but as we know that he longed and expected soon to return to the Thessalonians (1Th 2:17), it is probable he remained some weeks at least, and only abandoned his intention of revisiting Thessalonica at that time when the virulence of his enemies there, stimulated by his success at Berea, brought them down thither to counterwork him. to go as it were to the sea--rather, perhaps, "in the direction of the sea." Probably he delayed fixing his next destination till he should reach the coast, and the providence of God should guide him to a vessel bound for the destined spot. Accordingly, it was only on arriving at Athens, that the convoy of Berean brethren, who had gone thus far with him, were sent back to bid Silas and Timothy follow him thither. Silas and Timotheus abode there still--"to build it up in its holy faith, to be a comfort and support in its trials and persecutions, and to give it such organization as might be necessary" [Howson]. Connecting this with the apostle's leaving Timothy and Luke at Philippi on his own departure (see on Ac 16:40), we may conclude that this was his fixed plan for cherishing the first beginning of the Gospel in European localities, and organizing the converts. Timotheus must have soon followed the apostle to Thessalonica, the bearer, probably, of one of the Philippian "contributions to his necessity" (Php 4:15, 16), and from thence he would with Silas accompany him to Berea.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 14. The brethren. Those who were Christians.

Sent away Paul. In order to secure his safety. A similar thing had been done in Thessalonica, Acts 17:10. The tumult was great; and there was no doubt, such was the hostility of the Jews, that the life of Paul would be endangered, and they therefore resolved to secure his safety.

As it were. Rather, "even to the sea," for that is its signification. It does not imply that there was any feint or sleight in the case, as if they intended to deceive their pursuers. They took him to the sea coast, not far from Berea, and from that place he probably went by sea to Athens.

(b) "sent away Paul" Mt 10:23

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 14 To go as it were to the sea - This passage is generally understood to mean that the disciples took Paul towards the sea, as if he had intended to embark, and return to Troas, but with the real design to go to Athens. But it is more likely that his conductors, in order to his greater safety, left the public or more frequented road, and took him coastwise to Athens. Or, by taking a vessel at that part of the sea nearest to Berea, they might have coasted it to Athens, which was quite a possible case; and, as we do not hear of his stopping at any place on his journey to preach, it is very probable that he went by sea to this city. Though sleights and feints may be allowable in cases of life and death, yet there does not appear an absolute necessity for any in this case. And, as the text does not necessarily point any out, so we need not have recourse to any. I take it for granted, therefore, that Paul went by sea to Athens. Silas and Timotheus abode there still - The persecution, it seems, was directed principally against Paul. Lo! he stayeth his rough wind on the day of his east wind. Silas and Timotheus, holy men, were left behind to water the seed which Paul had planted.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 17:10-15

The Jews in Berea applied seriously to the study of the word preached unto them. They not only heard Paul preach on the sabbath, but daily searched the Scriptures, and compared what they read with the facts related to them. The doctrine of Christ does not fear inquiry; advocates for his cause desire no more than that people will fully and fairly examine whether things are so or not. Those are truly noble, and likely…

Read the full comment on Acts 17:10-15 →

Acts 17:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εὐθέωςeutheōsImmediatelyG2112

δὲdealsoG1161

τότεtotethenG5119

τὸνton<the>G3588

ΠαῦλονPaulonPaulG3972

ἐξαπέστειλανexapesteilansent awayG1821

οἱhoitheG3588

ἀδελφοὶadelphoibrothersG80

πορεύεσθαιporeuesthaito goG4198

ἕωςhe'ōsuntilG2193

ἐπὶepitoG1909

τὴνtēntheG3588

θάλασσαν·thalassansea;G2281

ὑπέμεινάνhupemeinanremainedG5278

τεtebutG5037

ὅho<the>G3588

τεtebothG5037

ΣιλᾶςSilasSilasG4609

καὶkaiandG2532

ὁho<the>G3588

ΤιμόθεοςTimotheosTimothyG5095

ἐκεῖ.ekeithere.G1563

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 17:14

Acts 17:10
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Matthew 10:23
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
Acts 16:1
Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
Acts 9:25
Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
Acts 9:30
Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
Acts 20:3
And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
Acts 19:22
So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
Joshua 2:16
And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
Acts 15:22
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
1 Timothy 1:3
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Titus 1:5
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

then.
10; 9:25,30; Mt 10:23
as it.
20:3; Jos 2:16
but.
19:22; 1Ti 1:3; Tit 1:5

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Acts 17:13
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
Acts 17:14
And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.
Acts 17:15
And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

Read all of Acts 17

Acts 17:14 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Empero luego los hermanos enviaron á Pablo que fuese como á la mar; y Silas y Timoteo se quedaron allí.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Mais alors les frères renvoyèrent aussitôt Paul, comme pour aller à la mer; mais Silas et Timothée demeurèrent encore là.
German Elberfelder 1871	Da sandten aber die Brüder alsbald den Paulus fort, um nach dem Meere hin zu gehen. Aber sowohl Silas als Timotheus blieben daselbst.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Statimque tunc Paulum dimiserunt fratres, ut iret usque ad mare: Silas autem et Timotheus remanserunt ibi.