Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, New Living Translation Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. English Standard Version 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, Berean Standard Bible But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, Berean Literal Bible But not having found them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the city authorities, crying out, “These ones, having upset the world, have come here also, King James Bible 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; New King James Version But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. New American Standard Bible When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; NASB 1995 When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; NASB 1977 And when they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; Legacy Standard Bible And when they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also; Amplified Bible But when they failed to find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too; Berean Annotated Bible But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason (healer) and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, Christian Standard Bible When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too, Holman Christian Standard Bible When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too, American Standard Version And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Contemporary English Version But when they did not find them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the Lord's followers. They took them to the city authorities and shouted, "Paul and Silas have been upsetting things everywhere. Now they have come here, English Revised Version And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; GOD'S WORD® Translation When they didn't find Paul and Silas, they dragged Jason and some other believers in front of the city officials. They shouted, "Those men who have made trouble all over the world are now here in Thessalonica, Good News Translation But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city authorities and shouted, "These men have caused trouble everywhere! Now they have come to our city, International Standard Version When they didn't find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials and shouted, "These fellows who have turned the world upside down have come here, too, NET Bible When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, screaming, "These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world have come here too, New Heart English Bible When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here also, Webster's Bible Translation And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down, have come hither also; Weymouth New Testament But, failing to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the other brethren before the magistrates of the city, loudly accusing them. "These men," they said, "who have raised a tumult throughout the Empire, have come here also. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, World English Bible When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand having not found them, they drew Jason and certain brothers to the city rulers, calling aloud, “These, having put the world in commotion, are also present here, Berean Literal Bible But not having found them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the city authorities, crying out, “These ones, having upset the world, have come here also, Young's Literal Translation and not having found them, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the city rulers, calling aloud -- 'These, having put the world in commotion, are also here present, Smith's Literal Translation And not having found them, they drew Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, crying, That those having subverted the habitable globe, these also are present here; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd not finding them, they drew Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, crying: They that set the city in an uproar, are come hither also; Catholic Public Domain Version And when they had not found them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers to the rulers of the city, crying out: “For these are the ones who have stirred up the city. And they came here, New American Bible When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city magistrates, shouting, “These people who have been creating a disturbance all over the world have now come here, New Revised Standard Version When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some believers before the city authorities, shouting, “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when they failed to find them there, they dragged forth Jason and the brethren who were there and brought them before the authorities of the city, crying, These are the men who have created disturbances throughout the world, and behold, they have come here also, Aramaic Bible in Plain English And when they did not find them there, they dragged Jason and the brethren who were there and they brought them to The Governor of the city as they were crying out, “These have terrorized the whole area and behold, they have come here again!” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying out: These men, who have thrown the world into confusion, have come hither also; Godbey New Testament but not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, roaring that, These who have turned the world upside down are also come hither; Haweis New Testament But not finding them there, they dragged Jason and certain brethren to the city magistrates, roaring out, These are the men who are movers of sedition through the world, and are come in hither; Mace New Testament but not finding them, they dragg'd Jason and some of the brethren to the magistrates, crying out, these that have been every where the disturbers of the publick peace, are come hither also, and have been entertain'd by Jason. Weymouth New Testament But, failing to find them, they dragged Jason and some of the other brethren before the magistrates of the city, loudly accusing them. "These men," they said, "who have raised a tumult throughout the Empire, have come here also. Worrell New Testament But, not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, shouting, "These who turned the inhabited earth upside down are present here also; Worsley New Testament But not finding them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, these men that have turned the world upside down, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Uproar in Thessalonica5The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. 6But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, 7and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”… Cross References But when they could not find them, Acts 12:18-19 At daybreak there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. / After Herod had searched for him unsuccessfully, he examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent some time there. Acts 5:22-24 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they returned with the report: / “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards posted at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” / When the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard this account, they were perplexed as to what was happening. they dragged Jason and some other brothers Acts 16:19-20 When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. / They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil Matthew 10:17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. before the city officials, Acts 18:12-17 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. / “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said. / But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint. … Luke 12:11-12 When you are brought before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say. / For at that time the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.” shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down Acts 24:5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, Acts 19:26 And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. have now come here, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain. / As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 For not only did the message of the Lord ring out from you to Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out to every place, so that we have no need to say anything more. Acts 16:20-21 They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil / by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.” Acts 19:23-27 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. / It began with a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business to the craftsmen. / Demetrius assembled the craftsmen, along with the workmen in related trades. “Men,” he said, “you know that this business is our source of prosperity. … Luke 23:2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” John 19:12 From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” Acts 4:2 greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. Acts 5:28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” Treasury of Scripture And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brothers to the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come here also; they drew. Acts 6:12,13 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, … Acts 16:19,20 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, … Acts 18:12,13 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, … These. Acts 21:28-31 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place… Acts 22:22,23 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live… Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Jump to Previous Able Accusing Authorities Caused City Crying Dragged Dragging Drew Empire Failing Find Force Found Hither Jason Loudly Magistrates Officials Politarchs Raised Rulers Shouting Throughout Trouble Tumult Turned Upside WorldJump to Next Able Accusing Authorities Caused City Crying Dragged Dragging Drew Empire Failing Find Force Found Hither Jason Loudly Magistrates Officials Politarchs Raised Rulers Shouting Throughout Trouble Tumult Turned Upside WorldActs 17 1. Paul preaches at Thessalonica, where some believe,5. and others persecute him. 10. He is sent to Berea, and preaches there. 13. Being persecuted by Jews from Thessalonica, 16. he comes to Athens, and disputes and preaches the living God, to them unknown; 32. whereby, though some mock, many are converted unto Christ. But when they could not find them In this context, "they" refers to the mob in Thessalonica, stirred up by the Jewish leaders who were envious of Paul and Silas's success in preaching the Gospel. The inability to find Paul and Silas highlights the tension and opposition faced by early Christians. This reflects the broader theme of persecution in the early church, as seen in Acts 4:1-3 and Acts 5:17-18, where the apostles faced similar hostility. they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here Persons / Places / Events 1. JasonA believer in Thessalonica who hosted Paul and Silas. His home became a target when the authorities sought to arrest Paul and Silas. 2. Paul and Silas Apostles spreading the Gospel. Their teachings were causing significant disturbances in the cities they visited, including Thessalonica. 3. Thessalonica A major city in Macedonia where Paul and Silas preached. It was a hub of commerce and culture, making it a strategic location for spreading the Gospel. 4. City Officials Local authorities in Thessalonica who were responsible for maintaining order. They were approached by the mob accusing Paul and Silas of causing unrest. 5. The Mob A group of people stirred up by those opposed to Paul and Silas's message. They sought to stop the spread of Christianity by force. Teaching Points The Power of the GospelThe Gospel message is transformative and can disrupt societal norms. Believers should be prepared for opposition when living out their faith. Courage in the Face of Persecution Like Paul, Silas, and Jason, Christians are called to stand firm in their faith, even when facing hostility or persecution. Community Support The early church relied on the support and hospitality of fellow believers like Jason. Modern Christians should foster strong, supportive communities. Impact of Faithful Witness The accusation of "turning the world upside down" highlights the profound impact a faithful witness can have. Believers should strive to be agents of change in their communities. God's Sovereignty in Adversity Despite opposition, God's purposes prevail. Trust in His sovereignty and continue to share the Gospel boldly. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 17:6?2. How can we "turn the world upside down" for Christ today? 3. What does Acts 17:6 teach about the power of the Gospel message? 4. How does Acts 17:6 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? 5. In what ways can we boldly proclaim Christ despite opposition, as in Acts 17:6? 6. How can Acts 17:6 inspire us to live counter-culturally for God's kingdom? 7. What does Acts 17:6 mean by "turning the world upside down"? 8. How does Acts 17:6 challenge our understanding of societal norms? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Acts 17:6? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 17? 11. What are the key events in Silas's biblical life? 12. Who is the author of 2 Thessalonians? 13. How can the supposed resurrection of Eutychus (Acts 20:9–12) be scientifically or historically verified? 14. How do we know Christianity isn’t just one of many myths? What Does Acts 17:6 Mean But when they could not find themActs 17:5 tells us that “the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and set the city in an uproar.” Their first aim was to seize Paul and Silas, but God allowed the missionaries to be elsewhere at that moment—much like when Peter slipped past Herod’s guards (Acts 12:6-11) or when Jesus “passed through their midst and went on His way” (Luke 4:30). • Opposition does not catch the Lord off guard; He often shields His servants until their work is finished (John 7:30). • Hostility is a recurring pattern whenever the gospel challenges entrenched error (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16). They dragged Jason and some other brothers Jason had embraced the gospel and welcomed the missionaries into his home, modeling the call to “pursue hospitality” (Romans 12:13). His kindness now put him in harm’s way. • Persecution frequently falls on those who stand with gospel messengers (Hebrews 10:33-34). • The scene echoes what happened to Paul and Silas in Philippi when owners of the slave girl “seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace” (Acts 16:19). • Suffering for identifying with believers is part of sharing Christ’s reproach (Hebrews 13:12-13). Before the city officials Thessalonica, a free city, was governed by “politarchs” rather than by direct Roman magistrates. Bringing charges before them gave the mob’s fury a veneer of legality, similar to how opponents tried to manipulate authorities in Philippi (Acts 16:20-21) and later in Corinth (Acts 18:12-13). • The attempt was to paint Christianity as socially disruptive, threatening Rome’s peace—an accusation Paul later answered before Felix: “We have found this man to be a troublemaker” (Acts 24:5). • Believers are called to respect civil authority (1 Peter 2:13-14), yet the passage shows that governments can be swayed by false charges. Shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here” The phrase “turned the world upside down” was meant as an indictment, yet it testifies to the gospel’s transforming power. • By this point the message had spread from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, Antioch, Asia Minor, and into Europe (Acts 1:8; 16:9-10). • Colossians 1:6 notes that the gospel “is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world,” affirming the impact the accusers feared. • The charge implies that Christianity confronts cultural idols and challenges sinful structures (Acts 19:23-27). • What the mob saw as upheaval, heaven sees as restoration; Jesus came “to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). summary Acts 17:6 shows jealous opponents unable to locate Paul and Silas, so they hauled Jason and fellow believers before Thessalonica’s officials, accusing the missionaries of worldwide disruption. The verse highlights God’s protective timing, the cost of gospel hospitality, the misuse of civil authority, and the undeniable, culture-shaking power of Christ’s message to overturn darkness and establish His kingdom. (6) Unto the rulers of the city.--The Greek term here, politarchae, 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 an analogous title (Politophylakes) as found at Larissa and elsewhere (Pol. v. 6). An inscription on an arch that still spans (or did so till quite lately) one of the streets of the modern city Saloniki, shows it to have been a special official title of that city, and St. Luke's use of it may, therefore, be noted as an instance of his accuracy in such matters. The inscription is probably of the date of Vespasian, but it contains some names that are identical with those of the converts in the apostolic history, Sosipater ("Sopater," Acts 20:4), Gaius (Acts 19:29), and Secundus (Acts 20:4). It would seem from the inscription that, as with the Archons of Athens, there were seven magistrates who bore the title.Verse 6. - Dragged for drew, A.V.; before for unto, A.V. Certain brethren; some of the Thessalonian Christians who happened to be in the house of Jason. The rulers of the city (τοὺς πολιτάρχας, and ver. 8). This is a remarkable instance of St. Luke's accuracy. The word is unknown in Greek literature. But an inscription on an ancient marble arch, still standing in Thessalonica, or Saloniki, records that Thessalonica was governed by seven politarchs (see the inscription in Conybeare and Howson, col. 1. p. 360). Thessalonica was a Greek city, governed by its own laws. Hence the mention of the δῆμος in ver. 5. The polit-archs also were Greek, not Roman, magistrates. Crying; βοῶντες, often followed by μεγάλῃ φωνῇ (Acts 8:7; Mark 15:34, etc.), but whether so followed or not, always meaning "a loud cry" or "shout" (Acts 21:34; Luke 3:4, etc.). Turned the world upside down; ἀναστατόω is used in the New Testament only by St. Luke and St. Paul (Acts 21:38; Galatians 5:12); to unsettle or disturb; i.e. to make people literally ἀναστάτους homeless, outcasts, from their former settlements, or, metaphorically, unsettled in their allegiance to their civil or spiritual rulers, is the meaning of the word. In the mouth of St. Paul's accusers it contains a distinct charge of sedition and disobedience to the Roman law. The world (τὴν οἰκουμένην the Roman empire (Luke 2:1), viewed as coextensive with the habitable globe (see ver. 31; Acts 19:20; Acts 11:28, note).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek But whenδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. they could not find εὑρόντες (heurontes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. them, αὐτοὺς (autous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. they dragged ἔσυρον (esyron) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 4951: To draw, drag, force away. Probably akin to haireomai; to trail. Jason Ἰάσονα (Iasona) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 2394: Future active participle masculine of iaomai; about to cure; Jason, a Christian. and καί (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. some other τινας (tinas) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. brothers ἀδελφοὺς (adelphous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. before ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. city officials, πολιτάρχας (politarchas) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 4173: A ruler of a city, city magistrate. From polis and archo; a town-officer, i.e. Magistrate. shouting, βοῶντες (boōntes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 994: To shout, call aloud, proclaim. Apparently a prolonged form of a primary verb; to halloo, i.e. Shout. “These [men] οὗτοι (houtoi) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. who Οἱ (Hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. have turned ἀναστατώσαντες (anastatōsantes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 387: From a derivative of anistemi; properly, to drive out of home, i.e. to disturb. the world {upside down} οἰκουμένην (oikoumenēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3625: Feminine participle present passive of oikeo; land, i.e. The globe; specially, the Roman empire. have now come πάρεισιν (pareisin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 3918: From para and eimi; to be near, i.e. At hand; neuter present participle time being, or property. here, ἐνθάδε (enthade) Adverb Strong's 1759: Here, in this place. From a prolonged form of en; properly, within, i.e. here, hither. Links Acts 17:6 NIVActs 17:6 NLT Acts 17:6 ESV Acts 17:6 NASB Acts 17:6 KJV Acts 17:6 BibleApps.com Acts 17:6 Biblia Paralela Acts 17:6 Chinese Bible Acts 17:6 French Bible Acts 17:6 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 17:6 When they didn't find them they dragged (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
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