Acts 17:1-9

In Thessalonica

1When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apolonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said. 4Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.

5But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus."

8When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

Trouble in Thessalonica

Thessalonica was one of the wealthiest and most influential cities in Macedonia. This is the first city Paul visited where his teachings attracted a large group of socially prominent citizens.

v.5 The Jewish leaders didn't refute the theology of Paul & Silas, but they were JEALOUS of their popularity . Their motives for causing the riot was rooted in personal jealousy not purity of heart.

v.6 We don't know much about Jason except that he evidently was the local host and sponsor of Paul & Silas, therefore he took the blame for all the problems of his visitors. We see where he posted bond, putting up cash for the freedom of Paul & Silas, by doing so, he promised that the trouble would cease or his own property and possible his own life would be jeopardized.