Acts 17:5-9 - Jason

Here we pick up from Acts 17:1-4 - Thessalonica where Paul has success in Thessalonica with both men and women.

Success breeds competition and envy by those who had preyed (not prayed) on some for support.

Next we see the story of Jason in Thessalonica.

Acts 17:5

All

KJV: 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.

Greek: ζηλωσαντες δε οι απειθουντες ιουδαιοι και προσλαβομενοι των αγοραιων τινας ανδρας τινας πονηρους και οχλοποιησαντες εθορυβουν την πολιν και επισταντες τε τη οικια ιασονος εζητουν αυτους αγαγειν προαγαγειν εις τον δημον

Latin: zelantes autem Iudaei adsumentesque de vulgo viros quosdam malos et turba facta concitaverunt civitatem et adsistentes domui Iasonis quaerebant eos producere in populum

Wycliffe: But the Jewis hadden enuye, and token of the comyn puple summe yuele men, and whanne thei hadden maad a cumpenye, thei moueden the citee. And thei camen to Jasouns hous, and souyten hem to brynge forth among the puple.

Tyndale: But the Iewes which beleved not havynge indignacio toke vnto the evyll men which were vagabondes and gadered a company and set all the cite on a roore and made asaute vnto the housse of Iason and sought to bringe the out to the people.

Jason was a popular Greek name due to the mythical character of Jason and the Argonauts and the Quest for the Golden Fleece.

The modern Greek word "Ιάσων" (EE-A-son) ≈ "Jason".

The next few verses involve a man named Jason accused as a "ringleader" by those who feel threatened by the loss of revenue and power due to this new influence of Christianity.

Acts 17:6

All

KJV: 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;

Greek: μη ευροντες δε αυτους εσυρον τον ιασονα και τινας αδελφους επι τους πολιταρχας βοωντες οτι οι την οικουμενην αναστατωσαντες ουτοι και ενθαδε παρεισιν

*G387 *3 ἀναστατόω (an-as-tat-o'-o) : from a derivative of G450 (in the sense of removal); properly, to drive out of home, i.e. (by implication) to disturb (literally or figuratively):--trouble, turn upside down, make an uproar.

Usage

All

αναστατωσαντες

Acts 17:6 ... These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

αναστατωσας

Acts 21:38 ... before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into ...

αναστατουντες

Galatians 5:12 ... even cut off which trouble you.

Apparently their world is being turned "upside down".

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [kjv]

Did Jesus come to "change everything"? Some (including pastors) would have you think that. Following the three verses on light (i.e., leave the light on), Jesus says the following.

The Greek word for "think" used here is related to the Greek word for "law" and related to the word "numismatics".
The Greek word for "fulfill" means to "fill full" or "complete" (what has been started).
There is a better Greek word for "destroy" or "dissolve" that is not used here. The primary meaning here is that of "reside"

The primary meaning of the word used is to "reside" and is the exact Greek word used in Luke 19 for Jesus "residing" with the sinner (rich man) Zacchaeus.

More: Matthew 5: 17 Leave the light on but do not use the law as a residence inn

There are various types of freedom.

Jesus, Paul, Peter, John, etc., talk about and promise religious freedom to set you free (from sin, etc.).
Political freedom is not part of the discussion (as in change or forced change).

Be wary of anyone who uses the Bible to promote political freedom of man rather than religious freedom of God. This is usually done by quoting verses on religious freedom but not mentioning the distinction and letting you conclude that political freedom is included.

Details are left as a future topic.

Acts 17:7

All

KJV: Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

Greek: ους υποδεδεκται ιασων και ουτοι παντες απεναντι των δογματων καισαρος πραττουσιν πρασσουσιν βασιλεα λεγοντες ετερον λεγοντες ειναι ιησουν

Latin: quos suscepit Iason et hii omnes contra decreta Caesaris faciunt regem alium dicentes esse Iesum

Tyndale: which Iason hath receaved prevely. And these all do contrary to the elders of Cesar affirmynge another kynge one Iesus.

Luther: die herberget Jason; und diese alle handeln wider des Kaisers Gebot, sagen, ein anderer sei der König, nämlich Jesus.

Russian: а Иасон принял их, и все они поступают против повелений кесаря, почитая другого царем, Иисуса.

Persecution is done by finding something that can upset the authorities and then convincing those authorities that something must be done "for the good of the people" (which is seldom the case).

The general approach is as follows.

Find something that is contrary to the teachings of the Bible.
Use political freedom (or other means) to establish social norms and/or laws against those teachings.
Go to the authorities to force compliance with those norms and/or laws.
Raise the stakes such that the government uses force against those wanting to abide by the Bible.

Acts 17:8

All

KJV: And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

Greek: εταραξαν δε τον οχλον και τους πολιταρχας ακουοντας ταυτα

Latin: concitaverunt autem plebem et principes civitatis audientes haec

Wycliffe: And thei moueden the puple, and the princis of the citee, herynge these thingis.

Luther: Sie bewegeten aber das Volk und die Obersten der Stadt, die solches höreten.

Acts 17:9

All

KJV: And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

Greek: και λαβοντες το ικανον παρα του ιασονος και των λοιπων απελυσαν αυτους

Paul and Silas are then sent to Berea.

This continues at Acts 17:10-14 - Berea.