Acts 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.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπειθοῦντες
which believed not
G544
ἀπειθοῦντες
which believed not
Strong's:
G544
Word #:
4 of 28
to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσλαβόμενοι
took unto them
G4355
προσλαβόμενοι
took unto them
Strong's:
G4355
Word #:
7 of 28
to take to oneself, i.e., use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγοραίων
of the baser sort
G60
ἀγοραίων
of the baser sort
Strong's:
G60
Word #:
9 of 28
relating to the market-place, i.e., forensic (times); by implication, vulgar
πονηροὺς
lewd
G4190
πονηροὺς
lewd
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
12 of 28
hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὀχλοποιήσαντες
gathered a company
G3792
ὀχλοποιήσαντες
gathered a company
Strong's:
G3792
Word #:
14 of 28
to make a crowd, i.e., raise a public disturbance
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόλιν
the city
G4172
πόλιν
the city
Strong's:
G4172
Word #:
17 of 28
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
ἐπιστάντες
assaulted
G2186
ἐπιστάντες
assaulted
Strong's:
G2186
Word #:
18 of 28
to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίᾳ
the house
G3614
οἰκίᾳ
the house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
21 of 28
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
ἐζήτουν
and sought
G2212
ἐζήτουν
and sought
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
23 of 28
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
αὐτοὺς
them
G846
αὐτοὺς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀγαγεῖν
to bring
G71
ἀγαγεῖν
to bring
Strong's:
G71
Word #:
25 of 28
properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce
εἰς
out
G1519
εἰς
out
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
26 of 28
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Acts 17:13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.Galatians 5:26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.Acts 17:7Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.Romans 16:21Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.Acts 14:2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.Galatians 5:21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.Judges 9:4And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
Historical Context
Thessalonica (modern Thessaloniki) was the capital of Macedonia, a major port city of 200,000 with a significant Jewish community. As a "free city" (civitas libera) under Roman rule, it had local autonomy, making mob violence an effective tactic to pressure authorities. Paul's three-week ministry there (17:2) had disrupted the synagogue and converted many God-fearing Greeks (v. 4).
Questions for Reflection
- When have you seen religious jealousy turn violent or destructive in modern contexts?
- What does Jason's willingness to shelter Paul despite personal risk teach about the cost of Christian hospitality?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy (οἱ ἀπειθοῦντες Ἰουδαῖοι ζηλώσαντες)—The unbelieving Jews were gripped by zēlos (ζῆλος), a jealous rage at Paul's success in Thessalonica. Their theological opposition became mob violence, the pattern throughout Acts (13:45, 14:19, 18:12).
Lewd fellows of the baser sort (ἀγοραίους ἄνδρας πονηρούς)—literally "wicked men of the marketplace," hired thugs from the agora. These were the unemployed rabble, professional agitators willing to riot for pay. The religious establishment weaponized the underclass to suppress the gospel—a pattern seen from Pilate's crowd to modern persecution. Jason's house was targeted because he hosted the missionaries (v. 7), making hospitality a costly act of discipleship.