But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The "wicked men of the rabble" weren't just random troublemakers; the original Greek describes them as idle loungers from the marketplace, ready for excitement and easily hired for any commotion. This highlights how religious opposition often mobilizes those who benefit from chaos rather than those genuinely concerned with doctrine.
But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
English Standard Version (ESV)
A group of unbelieving Jews, fueled by jealousy over the success of Paul's preaching, incited a riot by hiring troublemakers from the marketplace. They then attacked the home of Jason, their host, hoping to drag Paul and Silas out to face the angry mob. This chaotic scene highlights the intense opposition faced by the apostles as they spread the gospel in new cities.
This verse paints a vivid picture of chaos erupting in the city. What kind of people were stirred up, and why?
The opposition Paul and Silas faced wasn't just a disagreement; it was a manufactured riot. The text describes the instigators as 'wicked men of the rabble.' These weren't respected citizens but rather the 'loungers in the market-place,' described in the original language as those who 'having no calling lounges about the market-place, in the hope of picking up a chance living, and who is ready for anything bad.'
Driven by Envy
These individuals were hired and manipulated by a faction of unbelieving Jews who were 'moved with envy.' Their jealousy over the success of the Gospel, especially among the Gentiles, fueled their actions. They weaponized the discontent and idleness of the market rabble to create a violent mob, demonstrating how envy can corrupt and incite even the most disreputable elements of society to destructive ends.
Paul and Silas weren't found, but their host, Jason, certainly was. Who was this man, and what does his hospitality reveal?
When the mob couldn't find Paul and Silas, they turned their fury on their host, Jason. The attackers 'assaulted the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.' This shows that harbouring and supporting God's messengers carried significant personal risk.
A Jew with a Greek Name
Jason was likely a Jew, as the apostles would often stay with Jewish hosts first. However, he bore a Greek name, 'Jason,' which was a common Romanized form of Jewish names like Joshua or Jesus. This suggests he was a Jew who lived within the Gentile culture of Thessalonica, perhaps for trade or other reasons, and was comfortable interacting in both worlds. His willingness to open his home to Paul and Silas, despite the obvious danger, marks him as a courageous follower of Christ, willing to sacrifice his own peace and safety for the sake of the Gospel.
Ask a follow-up
The mob didn't just want to hurt Paul and Silas; they wanted to turn the city against them. What specific accusations were leveled?
The attackers didn't simply rage against Paul and Silas; they skillfully manipulated the authorities and the populace with dangerous accusations. When they couldn't produce the apostles, they dragged Jason and other believers before the city officials.
Fabricating Treason
Their cry was, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them; and all these are acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.' This was a brilliant, albeit wicked, strategy:
This demonstrates how powerful lies and political accusations can be in inciting fear and persecuting innocent believers.
Understand the original words
zēlōsantes · Greek Verb
A deep-seated resentment or envy, often triggered by the success of others. In a biblical context, it frequently characterizes the hostility of those who oppose the gospel message and its messengers.
The violent opposition faced by Paul and Silas in Thessalonica highlights the intense socio-political tensions of the Roman world, where new religious movements could easily be misconstrued as threats to Roman authority and local stability. The accusation that they 'turned the world upside down' wasn't just hyperbole; it reflected a genuine fear that the gospel's transformative message disrupted the established social and political order.
c. 49 AD
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul and Barnabas complete their first major missionary journey, establishing churches in Asia Minor and facing significant opposition.
c. 50 AD
Paul's Second Missionary Journey Begins
Paul embarks on his second journey, accompanied by Silas, traveling through Asia Minor and into Macedonia.
c. 50-51 AD— this verse
Paul Preaches in Thessalonica
Paul and Silas preach the gospel in the bustling Roman port city of Thessalonica, attracting both Jewish and Gentile converts.
c. 51 AD
Riot and Flight from Thessalonica
Envious Jews incite a riot, falsely accusing Jason of harboring seditious guests. Paul and Silas are forced to flee the city at night.
c. 51 AD
Ministry in Berea and Silas's Departure
Paul and Silas find refuge in Berea, where they again preach to receptive crowds. Silas likely remains to shepherd the new converts while Paul moves on.
c. 51 AD
Paul's Arrival in Athens
Paul travels to Athens alone and engages in philosophical debate, eventually leading to his sermon at the Areopagus.
c. 51-52 AD
Ministry in Corinth
Paul is joined by Silas and Timothy in Corinth, a major commercial hub, where he spends a significant amount of time.
This passage describes how the 'running' of the Galatians was hindered by someone, paralleling the disruptive forces that 'set the city in an uproar' against Paul and Silas. It highlights how opposition can derail good progress.
1 Thessalonians 2:14-15This passage directly speaks to the persecution faced by believers from their own people, echoing the envy and hostility of the Jews in Thessalonica towards Paul and Silas. It shows a consistent pattern of opposition to the Gospel from those who should have embraced it.
Matthew 5:11-12Jesus' words here speak directly to the rejoicing believers should have when they are persecuted for righteousness' sake. This contrasts with the angry mob in Acts 17, and reminds us that suffering for the faith is a sign of belonging to the kingdom.
2 Timothy 3:12This verse broadly states that 'all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.' It provides a foundational truth that the events in Acts 17, driven by envy and malice, are not unusual but expected for those who follow Christ.
John 15:18-20Jesus warns His disciples that the world will hate them because it hated Him first. This directly explains the motivation behind the mob's actions in Thessalonica; their hatred for the apostles stemmed from their rejection of Christ.
ellicottActs 17:5: "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."
(5) The Jews which believed not. —The latter words are wanting in many MSS., as “filled with envy” are in others. Certain lewd fellows of the baser sort.—The word “lewd” is used in its older sense, as meaning vile, worthless. At a still earlier…
cambridgeActs 17:5: "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."
5 . But the Jews which believed not ] In the oldest MSS. the last three words are unrepresented in the Greek. These are very likely a gloss which has crept into the later texts, the reader who made it on his margin wishing to note that not all…
The "wicked men of the rabble" weren't just random troublemakers; the original Greek describes them as idle loungers from the marketplace, ready for excitement and easily hired for any commotion. This highlights how religious opposition often mobilizes those who benefit from chaos rather than those genuinely concerned with doctrine.
A group of unbelieving Jews, fueled by jealousy over the success of Paul's preaching, incited a riot by hiring troublemakers from the marketplace. They then attacked the home of Jason, their host, hoping to drag Paul and Silas out to face the angry mob. This chaotic scene highlights the intense opposition faced by the apostles as they spread the gospel in new cities.
A group of unbelieving Jews, fueled by jealousy over the success of Paul's preaching, incited a riot by hiring troublemakers from the marketplace. They then attacked the home of Jason, their host, hoping to drag Paul and Silas out to face the angry mob. This chaotic scene highlights the intense opposition faced by the apostles as they spread the gospel in new cities.
"But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd." — The "wicked men of the rabble" weren't just random troublemakers; the original Greek describes them as idle loungers from the marketplace, ready for excitement and easily hired for any commotion. Thi…
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Last reviewed October 2026