Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. New Living Translation The people of the city, as well as the city council, were thrown into turmoil by these reports. English Standard Version And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. Berean Standard Bible On hearing this, the crowd and city officials were greatly disturbed. Berean Literal Bible And they stirred up the crowd and the city authorities, hearing these things. King James Bible And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. New King James Version And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. New American Standard Bible They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. NASB 1995 They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. NASB 1977 And they stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. Legacy Standard Bible And they disturbed the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. Amplified Bible They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. Christian Standard Bible The crowd and city officials who heard these things were upset. Holman Christian Standard Bible The Jews stirred up the crowd and the city officials who heard these things. American Standard Version And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. Contemporary English Version The officials and the people were upset when they heard this. English Revised Version And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. GOD'S WORD® Translation The crowd and the officials were upset when they heard this. Good News Translation With these words they threw the crowd and the city authorities in an uproar. International Standard Version The crowd and the city officials were upset when they heard this, NET Bible They caused confusion among the crowd and the city officials who heard these things. New Heart English Bible The crowd and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things. Webster's Bible Translation And they troubled the people, and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. Weymouth New Testament Great was the excitement among the crowd, and among the magistrates of the city, when they heard these charges. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOn hearing this, the crowd and city officials were greatly disturbed. World English Bible The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd they troubled the multitude and the city rulers, hearing these things, Berean Literal Bible And they stirred up the crowd and the city authorities, hearing these things. Young's Literal Translation And they troubled the multitude and the city rulers, hearing these things, Smith's Literal Translation And they troubled the crowd and rulers of the city, having heard these. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they stirred up the people, and the rulers of the city hearing these things, Catholic Public Domain Version And they incited the people. And the rulers of the city, upon hearing these things, New American Bible They stirred up the crowd and the city magistrates who, upon hearing these charges, New Revised Standard Version The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe authorities of the city and all the people were alarmed when they heard these things. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But the Governor of the city and all the people were alarmed when they heard these things. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd the multitude, and the rulers of the city, were troubled when they heard these things. Godbey New Testament And they excited the rabble and the city rulers hearing these things; Haweis New Testament And they greatly agitated the people and the city magistrates when they heard these things. Mace New Testament the people, and the magistrates upon hearing this were alarm'd: Weymouth New Testament Great was the excitement among the crowd, and among the magistrates of the city, when they heard these charges. Worrell New Testament And they troubled the multitude and the city-rulers, hearing these things; Worsley New Testament And they alarmed the people, and the rulers of the city upon hearing these things: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Uproar in Thessalonica…7and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” 8On hearing this, the crowd and city officials were greatly disturbed. 9And they collected bond from Jason and the others, and then released them.… Cross References 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.” 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 24:5-6 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, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. Acts 21:28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” Matthew 27:37 Above His head they posted the written charge against Him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Mark 15:26 And the charge inscribed against Him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. John 18:33-36 Pilate went back into the Praetorium, summoned Jesus, and asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” / “Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?” / “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?” ... Romans 13:1-2 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. Daniel 6:12-13 So they approached the king and asked about his royal decree: “Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days any man who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions?” The king replied, “According to the law of the Medes and Persians the order stands, and it cannot be repealed.” / Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.” Jeremiah 38:4 Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.” Esther 3:8 Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. Nehemiah 6:6-7 that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.” 2 Samuel 15:10-12 Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’” / Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and they went along innocently, for they knew nothing about the matter. / While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing. Treasury of Scripture And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. John 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. Jump to Previous Authorities Charges City Crowd Disturbed Excitement Great Heard Hearing Magistrates Multitude Officials Politarchs Rulers Stirred Thrown Troubled TurmoilJump to Next Authorities Charges City Crowd Disturbed Excitement Great Heard Hearing Magistrates Multitude Officials Politarchs Rulers Stirred Thrown Troubled TurmoilActs 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. On hearing this This phrase refers to the reaction of the crowd and city officials upon hearing the accusations against Paul and Silas. The context is that Paul and Silas were preaching the gospel in Thessalonica, and some Jews, feeling threatened by their message, incited a mob against them. The "this" they heard likely includes the claim that Paul and Silas were promoting another king, Jesus, which was seen as a challenge to Roman authority and the emperor. the crowd and city officials were greatly disturbed Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul and SilasEarly Christian missionaries spreading the Gospel in Thessalonica. 2. Thessalonica A major city in Macedonia where Paul and Silas preached. 3. The Crowd The local populace of Thessalonica, stirred by the accusations against Paul and Silas. 4. City Officials The governing authorities in Thessalonica, responsible for maintaining order. 5. Jason A local believer who hosted Paul and Silas, implicated in the disturbance. Teaching Points The Cost of DiscipleshipFollowing Christ can lead to opposition and disturbance in society. Believers should be prepared for resistance when living out their faith. The Role of Authority Christians are called to respect governing authorities, but also to stand firm in their faith when those authorities oppose God's work. Community Support The early church relied on the support of fellow believers like Jason. Modern Christians should foster strong community ties to withstand external pressures. Courage in Witnessing Paul and Silas exemplify boldness in sharing the Gospel despite potential backlash. Believers today are encouraged to witness courageously. Understanding Opposition Opposition to the Gospel is not new and should be expected. Understanding this can help believers remain steadfast in their mission. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 17:8?2. How does Acts 17:8 demonstrate the impact of the gospel on society? 3. What can we learn from Acts 17:8 about opposition to Christian teachings? 4. How does Acts 17:8 connect with Jesus' warning about persecution in John 15:20? 5. How should believers respond when faced with societal unrest due to their faith? 6. What actions can we take to support leaders facing opposition for their beliefs? 7. How does Acts 17:8 challenge the authority of earthly rulers in a Christian worldview? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Acts 17:8? 9. How does Acts 17:8 reflect the tension between early Christians and political authorities? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 17? 11. Who was Sosthenes in the Bible? 12. Since Leviticus 17 requires sacrifices at one specific location, how did ancient Israelites living far away or outside Israel consistently adhere to this command? 13. (1 Thess 1:8) Where is the historical documentation showing that the Thessalonian church's influence spread so widely, as claimed? 14. Who were the elders in the Old Testament? What Does Acts 17:8 Mean On hearing thisThe immediately preceding verse tells us that the missionaries were accused of “acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus” (Acts 17:7). • The accusation is serious treason in the Roman world, so the moment the words reach public ears, everyone snaps to attention. • Similar flash-points appear whenever the gospel confronts earthly authority—compare Acts 4:2-3; Acts 5:28. • The phrase reminds us that faith comes by “hearing” (Romans 10:17), yet hearts respond differently: some believe, others bristle. The crowd • Thessalonica’s marketplace thronged with merchants, travelers, and locals eager for news; sudden political rumors spread like wildfire (Acts 17:5). • Crowds often swing with emotion rather than truth—see Matthew 27:20 and Acts 19:28-32. • Here, the multitude senses a possible threat to civic peace and, by extension, their own security; fear drives their agitation rather than careful examination of the gospel claims (John 3:19-20). City officials • Luke singles out the “city officials,” civic magistrates responsible for keeping order under Rome (Acts 13:50). • Romans 13:3 notes that rulers fear upheaval because their charge is to maintain peace; any hint of sedition places them in jeopardy with higher imperial powers. • The officials’ reaction shows how the gospel inevitably intersects with public policy when it proclaims Jesus as Lord above every earthly power (Philippians 2:9-11). Were greatly disturbed • The verb pictures inner turmoil: hearts churning, minds racing, civic nerves jangling. • Like the Sanhedrin “greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people” (Acts 4:2), these leaders perceive the message of Christ as destabilizing. • John 11:48 records a parallel fear: “If we let Him go on like this… the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” • The gospel comforts the humble yet unsettles the self-reliant; disturbance often precedes repentance—or persecution (Acts 17:13). summary Acts 17:8 records the immediate emotional fallout when Christ’s exclusive kingship confronts a city invested in Rome’s authority and its own status quo. Hearing the charge that there is “another king, Jesus,” both crowd and officials experience a deep anxiety over political and personal security. Their disturbed reaction underscores two timeless truths: the gospel necessarily challenges every rival allegiance, and the human heart must choose either surrender to Jesus or resistance rooted in fear. Verse 8. - Multitude for people, A.V. (τὸν ὔχλον, not δῆμον).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek On hearingἀκούοντας (akouontas) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. this, ταῦτα (tauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. the τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. crowd ὄχλον (ochlon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. 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. were greatly disturbed. Ἐτάραξαν (Etaraxan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 5015: To disturb, agitate, stir up, trouble. Of uncertain affinity; to stir or agitate. 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