Released (630)(apoluo from apó = marker of dissociation, implying a rupture from a former association, separation + luo = loose) is used often of sending a person or a group away from someone (Mt 14:15, 22, 23, 32, etc). Apoluo frequently has the sense of to let loose from or to release (as from under arrest or from another's custody), as it is used here in Acts 17:9. To let go free or set at liberty. Apoluo is used in all four Gospels describing the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus (Jn 18:39, Mt 27:15, 17, 21, etc, cf Acts 16:35) Apoluo frequently is means to divorce (let go free or release a wife Mt 5:31, 32; 19:3; and a husband in Mk 10:12). Apoluo is never used in the marriage context with the meaning of just to separate (as the term is commonly used today) or to break an engagement, but always means full fledged divorce. Apoluo was used in secular Greco-Roman writings of discharge from the military, of release from jail or of setting a debtor free (these latter meanings also commonly found in the NT writings). To dismiss (as innocent) - As legal term, to grant acquittal, set free, release, pardon. Apoluo in Luke 6:37 is used with the sense of forgive. Thus most versions like NET, NIV, KJV, ESV translate it as "forgive" = "forgive, and you will be forgiven." Figuratively of setting someone "free" of illness (Luke 13:12 "Woman, you are freed from your sickness.") To let loose from, to loose or unbind a person or thing. To free from, relieve from, with the gen. of sickness Lk 13:12 To forgive a debt and thus release from the obligation to pay it off - Mt 18:27 To release persons accused or imprisoned Mt 27:15; Mk15:6; Lk 22:68; Jn 19:10; Ac 4:21; 26:32; 28:18 Summary of apoluo... 1. Dismiss, let go away (Mt 14:15); 2. Send, cause another to depart (Ac 15:30) 3. Set free, release (Lk 23:22) 4. Divorce (Mt 1:19) 5. Forgive, grant clemency, pardon (Lk 6:37) 6. Go away, leave (Ac 28:25) NAS translates apoluo as - dismissed(1), divorce(3), divorced(2), divorces(5), freed(1), leaving(1), let...go(2), pardon(1), pardoned(1), release(20), released(8), releasing...to depart(1), send...away(9), sending...away(1), sending away(1), sends...away(1), sent...away(6), sent away(2), set free(1). Friberg (summary) - (1) of a prisoner or debtor set free, release, pardon (MT 27.15); (2) of divorce send away, dismiss, let go (MT 1.19; 19.3); (3) of a crowd or assembly dismiss, send away (MT 14.15); (4) middle go away, depart (AC 28.25); (5) euphemistically, for death let die, let depart (LU 2.29) BDAG (summary) - 1. As legal term, to grant acquittal, set free, release, pardon someone, a prisoner (Mt 27:15-26; cp. Mk 15:6-15; Lk 23:16-25; J 18:39; 19:10, 12; Ac 3:13; 5:40; 16:35f; 26:32; 28:18. 2. to release from a painful condition, free, pass. be freed (2Mac 12:45; Lk 13:12. 3. to permit or cause someone to leave a particular location let go, send away, dismiss; of a crowd Mt 14:15, 22; 15:32, 39; Mk 6:36, 45; 8:9; dismiss the assembly Ac 19:40. Also of individuals Mt 15:23; Lk 8:38; 14:4; Lk 22:68 (send them away) to their homes Mk 8:3. let (them) go into the building Passive - be dismissed, take leave, depart, of a cavalryman’s discharge (on the desire for departure. 4. to grant a request and so be rid of a person, Mt 15:23 5. to dissolve a marriage relationship, to divorce one’s wife, or betrothed (Dt 24:1ff; Mt 1:19; 5:31f, 19:3, 7-9; Mk 10:2, 4, 11; Lk 16:18. Of the woman divorce her husband Mk 10:12. This is in accord not w. Jewish but w. Gr-Rom. custom 6. middle voice to make a departure from a locality, go away - Ex 33:11;Ac 28:25; Apoluo - 66x in 61v (only 4x in Septuagint - Ge 15:2, Ex 33:11, Nu 20:29, Ps 34:1) - Matthew 1:19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. Matthew 5:31 "It was said, 'WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE'; 32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Matthew 14:15 When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. Matthew 15:23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, "Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us." 32 And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way." 39 And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan. Matthew 18:27 "And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. Matthew 19:3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY?" 8 He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. 9 "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery." Matthew 27:15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 21 But the governor said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release for you?" And they said, "Barabbas." 26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Mark 6:36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." 45 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away. Mark 8:3 "If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance." 9 About four thousand were there; and He sent them away. Mark 10:2 Some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife. 4 They said, "Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY." 11 And He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; 12 and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery." Mark 15:6 Now at the feast he used to release for them any one prisoner whom they requested. 9 Pilate answered them, saying, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to ask him to release Barabbas for them instead. 15 Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. Luke 2:29 "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; NET Note - Undoubtedly the background for the concept of being the Lord's slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. For a Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege. It was used of national Israel at times (Isa 43:10), but was especially associated with famous OT personalities, including such great men as Moses (Josh 14:7), David (Ps 89:3; cf. 2Sa 7:5, 8) and Elijah (2Kgs 10:10); all these men were "servants (or slaves) of the Lord." Comment: Simeon's life had been devoted (as the Lord's slave) to the expectant appearance of the Messiah and His salvation, but now that the expectation had been fulfilled, his task had come to an end. The implication is that Simeon's "release" from life was drawing near. Oh, to finish my life with such a sense of having accomplished my Master's will for my short life! Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Luke 8:38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, Luke 9:12 Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, "Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place." Luke 13:12 When Jesus saw her, He called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your sickness." Luke 14:4 But they kept silent. And He took hold of him and healed him, and sent him away. Luke 16:18 "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery. Luke 23:16 "Therefore I will punish Him and release Him." 18 But they cried out all together, saying, "Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!" 20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, 22 And he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil has this man done? I have found in Him no guilt demanding death; therefore I will punish Him and release Him." 25 And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will. John 18:39 "But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?" John 19:10 So Pilate said to Him, "You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?" 12 As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, "If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar." Acts 3:13 "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. Acts 4:21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; 23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. Acts 5:40 They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. Acts 13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 15:30 So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 33 After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. Acts 16:35 Now when day came, the chief magistrates sent their policemen, saying, "Release those men." 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace." Acts 17:9 And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them. Acts 19:40 "For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today's events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering." 41 After saying this he dismissed the assembly. Acts 23:22 So the commander let the young man go, instructing him, "Tell no one that you have notified me of these things." Acts 26:32 And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." Acts 28:18 "And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, Hebrews 13:23 Take notice that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom, if he comes soon, I will see you. G. Campbell Morgan rightly declared that "the measure of our triumph in work for God is always the measure of our travail. No propagative work is done save at cost; and every genuine triumph of the Cross brings after it the travail of some new affliction, and some new sorrow. So we share the travail that makes the Kingdom come." (The Acts of the Apostles). 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. the brethren Acts 17:14; 9:25; 23:23,24; Joshua 2:15,16; 1 Samuel 19:12-17; 20:42 Berea Acts 17:13; 20:4 went Acts 17:2; 14:6,7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Immediately by night (eutheōs dia nuktos). Paul‘s work had not been in vain in Thessalonica (1Thessalonians 1:7-note.; 1Thessalonians 2:13-note, 1Thessalonians 2:20-note). Paul loved the church here. Two of them, Aristarchus and Secundus, will accompany him to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4) and Aristarchus will go on with him to Rome (Acts 27:2). Plainly Paul and Silas had been in hiding in Thessalonica and in real danger. After his departure severe persecution came to the Christians in Thessalonica (1Thessalonians 2:14-note; 1Thessalonians 3:1-5-note; 2Thessalonians 1:6). It is possible that there was an escort of Gentile converts with Paul and Silas on this night journey to Beroea which was about fifty miles southwest from Thessalonica near Pella in another district of Macedonia (Emathia). There is a modern town there of some 6,000 people. (Acts 17 - Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament) To Berea (See note)- about 45 miles away. Timothy is not mentioned and presumably must have been behind at Philippi (he is not mentioned at Thessalonica although Paul did later send him to them 1 Thes 3:2ff). Acts 17:11 Acts 17:11 Now these (the Berean Jews) were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so. Greek: houtoi de esan (3PIAI) eugenesteroi ton en Thessalonike, hoitines edecanto (3PAMI) ton logon meta pases prothumias, kath' hemeran anakrinontes (PAPMPN) tas graphas ei echoi (3SPAO) tauta houtos Amplified: Now these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. NET: These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so. Phillips: The Jews proved more generous-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they accepted the message most eagerly and studied the scriptures every day to see if what they were now being told were true. Cross References - (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9; Jeremiah 2:21; John 1:45, 46, 47, 48, 49) (Acts 2:41; 10:33; 11:1; Job 23:12; Proverbs 2:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 8:10; Matthew 13:23; 1Thessalonians 1:6; 2:13; 2Thessalonians 2:10; Jas 1:21; 1Pe 2:2) (Ps 1:2,3; 119:97,100,148; Isa 8:20; 34:16; Luke 16:29; 24:44; John 3:21; John 5:39; 2Timothy 3:15, 16, 17; 1Pe 1:10, 11, 12; 2Pe 1:19, 20, 21; 1John 4:5,6) See offsite resource: ON THE CHARACTER OF THE BEREANS from Thomas Reade's book SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF THE HEART or CHRISTIAN RETIREMENT Now these (Berean Jews) were more noble minded - Paul had been overjoyed and filled with gratitude to God at the way the people in Thessalonica had received the Word (1Th 2:13-note), so these “noble Bereans” must have really encouraged his heart. What noble minded means is reflected in their handling of the word of God (1) received the word with great eagerness (2) Examining the Scriptures daily. Would Paul describe you as "noble minded"? 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