What does Acts 17:10 mean?

A consistent rhythm has developed in Paul's evangelism. He enters a new town and finds the Jewish synagogue. After spending several weeks clarifying the prophecies about the Messiah and showing how Jesus of Nazareth fits those prophecies, many of the God-fearing Gentiles and some of the Jews believe him. Others of the Jews grow jealous of his following and first push him out of the synagogue and then the city.

So it is that Jews have threatened a riot in Thessalonica and the church members there have sent Paul and Silas to Berea (Acts 17:1–9). In the Berean synagogue, however, Paul finds something new: people who diligently study the Scriptures to determine for themselves if his message is true (Acts 17:11).

Jewish synagogues were developed during or after the Babylonian captivity when the temple was destroyed but the people knew they needed to follow the Mosaic law more carefully. Typically, the ruler of the synagogue would choose others to perform the parts of the service. One man would recite prayers, others would read from the Law and Prophets, another would interpret if the congregation wasn't fluent in Hebrew, yet another would give a sermon. Often, the synagogue ruler would choose a traveling teacher to give the sermon; he would provide a fresh perspective the synagogue members could discuss.

The Bereans are still held as an example to the church to determine of a preacher teaches truth (1 John 4:1), but they are not mentioned again in the Bible—not even when Paul returns to Macedonia (Acts 20:1).