The accusation that Paul and his companions "have turned the world upside down" wasn't just hyperbole; it was a deliberate attempt by their enemies to frame them as threats to civil order. By using such dramatic language, they aimed to stir up fear and suspicion in the authorities, painting the new teachings as inherently disruptive and dangerous to the established peace.
And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
When Paul and Silas' preaching in Thessalonica stirred up a crowd and riots, their angry persecutors couldn't find them. So, they dragged Paul's host, Jason, and other believers before the city officials, accusing them of causing unrest and turning the known world upside down. This verse captures the accusation leveled against the apostles and their followers, highlighting the societal disruption their message of Christ's kingship caused, leading to their forced departure from the city.
Imagine being violently dragged before city rulers, accused of turning the world upside down. That's exactly what happened to Jason and his friends.
The charge against Paul and Silas—and by association, Jason and the believers—was that they were 'turning the world upside down.' This wasn't a compliment! Their enemies used this phrase to describe the disruptive impact of the Gospel.
What 'Upside Down' Really Meant:
The word used here for 'turned upside down' (anastatos) suggests causing unrest, upheaval, and disturbance. It was a serious accusation, implying that these new teachings threatened the very fabric of society.
Did you know that even the specific title used for the city officials in this passage points to Luke's incredible attention to detail?
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The book of Acts, written by Luke, is renowned for its historical accuracy. In Acts 17:6, the Thessalonian officials are referred to by a specific Greek term: 'politarchai.'
A Unique Title, Verified:
When the primary targets aren't found, the opposition can lash out, grabbing whomever is closest. This happened to Jason and the brothers.
The mob, fueled by envy and outrage, couldn't find Paul and Silas. Their anger didn't dissipate; instead, it focused on those readily available—Jason and other believers.
The Pattern of Persecution:
This shows that when God's work faces opposition, His servants can become targets, often facing accusations that twist their true intentions.
Understand the original words
adelphos · Greek Noun
A general term for believers in Christ, emphasizing the equality, shared identity, and mutual love within the community of faith as members of God’s family.
politarchēs · Greek Noun
Refers to rulers, magistrates, or city officials who held legal and civil authority in Greek cities; they were responsible for maintaining public order and adherence to Roman law.
dogma · Greek Noun
Refers to official rulings, laws, or edicts issued by a sovereign authority, which in this context represents the political standards set by the Roman state.
basileus · Greek Noun
A title used for a sovereign ruler or monarch; in the New Testament, it is used exclusively to denote the absolute sovereignty and messianic authority of Jesus Christ over heaven and earth, often in direct contrast to human rulers.
The accusation that the apostles 'turned the world upside down' highlights how the early Christian message, though one of peace and reconciliation with God, was perceived by Roman authorities and local populations as a radical, destabilizing force that threatened civil order and imperial power.
c. AD 49
Edict of Claudius Expels Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius expels Jews from Rome, causing many to scatter throughout the empire, potentially including some who would later interact with Paul or his teachings.
c. AD 50— this verse
Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica
The Apostle Paul preaches the Gospel in Thessalonica, establishing a Christian community. His message, which proclaims Jesus as king, clashes with Roman imperial ideology and Jewish traditions.
c. AD 50
Riot in Thessalonica
Unbelieving Jews, stirred by envy, incite a riot, seeking to seize Paul and Silas. Failing to find them, they drag Jason and other believers before the city officials, accusing them of causing widespread unrest.
c. AD 50
Paul and Silas Flee to Berea
After posting bail and assuring the authorities, Paul and Silas are sent away by night to the nearby city of Berea to escape further persecution.
c. AD 51-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
Paul spends a significant time in Corinth, the Roman capital of Achaia, where he faces opposition but also sees the church grow, eventually writing his letters to the Thessalonians from this location.
This passage speaks about fiery trials and the surprise that comes with persecution, mirroring the astonishment of the Thessalonians at the upheaval the Gospel caused.
2 Corinthians 11:26Paul describes facing dangers from his own people and in cities, a situation directly reflected in the accusations and turmoil faced by Jason and the apostles in Acts 17.
Luke 12:49Jesus spoke of bringing fire to the earth, a powerful image that resonates with the 'world-upside-down' accusation leveled against the apostles, as their message ignited spiritual and social change.
Jeremiah 5:30-31This Old Testament passage describes prophets and priests causing a terrible and horrible thing in the land, echoing the charge that the apostles were causing disorder and upheaval.
Acts 16:20-21In Philippi, Paul and Silas were accused of proclaiming customs which it was unlawful for Romans to adopt, a similar charge of introducing disruptive new ways that led to their arrest.
ellicottActs 17:6: "And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;"
(6) Unto the rulers of the city .—The Greek term here, politarchæ, is a very peculiar one, and occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, nor, indeed, in any classical writer. Aristotle, whose Politics well-nigh exhausts the list of all known official titles in Greek cities, does not mention it, although he gives a…
pooleActs 17:6: "And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;"
Being withdrawn, to avoid the popular rage against them, they charge innovation upon them, as knowing how jealous rulers are of any alteration. Thus whatsoever mischief befell the state, or whatsoever was odious and abominable, was in the primitive times still charged upon the Christians. The enemies of God’s chur…
The accusation that Paul and his companions "have turned the world upside down" wasn't just hyperbole; it was a deliberate attempt by their enemies to frame them as threats to civil order. By using such dramatic language, they aimed to stir up fear and suspicion in the authorities, painting the new teachings as inherently disruptive and dangerous to the established peace.
When Paul and Silas' preaching in Thessalonica stirred up a crowd and riots, their angry persecutors couldn't find them. So, they dragged Paul's host, Jason, and other believers before the city officials, accusing them of causing unrest and turning the known world upside down. This verse captures the accusation leveled against the apostles and their followers, highlighting the societal disruption their message of Christ's kingship caused, leading to their forced departure from the city.
When Paul and Silas' preaching in Thessalonica stirred up a crowd and riots, their angry persecutors couldn't find them. So, they dragged Paul's host, Jason, and other believers before the city officials, accusing them of causing unrest and turning the known world upside down. This verse captures the accusation leveled against the apostles and their followers, highlighting the societal disruption their message of Christ's kingship caused, leading to their forced departure from the city.
"And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all actin…" — The accusation that Paul and his companions "have turned the world upside down" wasn't just hyperbole; it was a deliberate attempt by their enemies to frame them as threats to civil order. By using s…
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Last reviewed October 2026
