Bible Meaning: Well watered
Strong's Concordance #G960
Berea, mentioned only in the New Testament, was located in the Roman province of Macedonia in Greece.
Berea, after the battle of Pydba in 168 B.C., was the first city to surrender to Rome (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). It fell in the third of the four regions into which Macedonia was divided.The Apostle Paul evangelized the city during his second (49 to 52 A.D.) and third (53 to 58) missionary journeys. His first visit in 50 A.D. happened abruptly, when he and Silas fled to Berea after they were chased out of Thessalonica by zealous Jews (Acts 17:5 - 10).
After Paul and Silas arrived in the city, they were impressed that the people, unlike those of Thessalonica, had a sincere interest in understanding God's truth. Those living in Berea were willing to verify what was taught through studying the Bible (Acts 17:11 - 12).
One of Paul's traveling companions during the last half of his third journey was a man named Sopater from Berea (Acts 20:4).
Important Verses
Acts 17:5, 9 - 11, 13
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people . . .
And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so . . .
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 20:1 - 4
And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,
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.
And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea: and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus: and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus: and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.