Who Were the Bereans?
The Bereans were a group of Jews living in Berea (modern-day Veria, Greece) known for their open-mindedness and diligence in examining the Scriptures. When the Apostle Paul preached the gospel to them, they didn’t accept his teachings at face value. Instead, they carefully studied the Old Testament to verify whether his message about Jesus as the Messiah was true. Their eagerness to learn and their commitment to testing teachings against Scripture set them apart as a model for discernment and faithful study.
The account of the Bereans is found in Acts 17:10-11 (ESV):
"The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 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."
This passage highlights their noble character: they welcomed Paul’s preaching with enthusiasm but grounded their faith in Scripture, ensuring what they heard aligned with God’s Word. The Bereans inspire us today to approach spiritual teachings with both openness and a commitment to biblical truth.