Acts 17:5-10
5But the Jews became jealous, ▼ and gathering together some worthless men from the rabble in the marketplace, ▼▼ Literally ἀγοραῖος (agoraios) refers to the crowd in the marketplace, although BDAG 14-15 s.v. ἀγοραῖος 1 gives the meaning, by extension, as “rabble.” Such a description is certainly appropriate in this context. L&N 15.127 translates the phrase “worthless men from the streets.”
they formed a mob ▼▼ On this term, which is a NT hapax legomenon, see BDAG 745 s.v. ὀχλοποιέω.
and set the city in an uproar. ▼▼ BDAG 458 s.v. θορυβέω 1 has “set the city in an uproar, start a riot in the city” for the meaning of ἐθορύβουν (eqoruboun) in this verse.
They attacked Jason’s house, ▼▼ The attack took place at Jason’s house because this was probably the location of the new house church.
trying to find Paul and Silas ▼▼ Grk “them”; the referents (Paul and Silas) have been specified in the translation for clarity.
to bring them out to the assembly. ▼ 6When they did not find them, they dragged ▼▼ See BDAG 977-78 s.v. σύρω on this verb. It was used in everyday speech of dragging in fish by a net, or dragging away someone’s (presumably) dead body (Paul in Acts 14:19).
Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, ▼▼ L&N 37.93 defines πολιτάρχης (politarchēs) as “a public official responsible for administrative matters within a town or city and a member of the ruling council of such a political unit - ‘city official’” (see also BDAG 845 s.v.).
screaming, “These people who have stirred up trouble ▼▼ Or “rebellion.” BDAG 72 s.v. ἀναστατόω has “disturb, trouble, upset,” but in light of the references in the following verse to political insurrection, “stirred up rebellion” would also be appropriate.
throughout the world ▼▼ Or “the empire.” This was a way of referring to the Roman empire (BDAG 699 s.v. οἰκουμένη 2.b).
▼▼ Throughout the world. Note how some of those present had knowledge of what had happened elsewhere. Word about Paul and his companions and their message was spreading.
have come here too, 7and ▼▼ Grk “whom.” Because of the awkwardness in English of having two relative clauses follow one another (“who have stirred up trouble…whom Jason has welcomed”) the relative pronoun here (“whom”) has been replaced by the conjunction “and,” creating a clause that is grammatically coordinate but logically subordinate in the translation.
Jason has welcomed them as guests! They ▼▼ Grk “and they.” Because of the length of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here. Instead a new English sentence is begun.
are all acting against Caesar’s ▼▼ Or “the emperor’s” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).
decrees, saying there is another king named ▼▼ The word “named” is not in the Greek text, but is supplied for clarity.
Jesus!” ▼ 8They caused confusion among ▼▼ Grk “They troubled the crowd and the city officials”; but this could be understood to mean “they bothered” or “they annoyed.” In reality the Jewish instigators managed to instill doubt and confusion into both the mob and the officials by their false charges of treason. Verse 8 suggests the charges raised again Paul, Silas, Jason, and the others were false.
the crowd and the city officials ▼▼ L&N 37.93 defines πολιτάρχης (politarchēs) as “a public official responsible for administrative matters within a town or city and a member of the ruling council of such a political unit - ‘city official.’”
who heard these things. 9After ▼▼ Grk “And after.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
the city officials ▼▼ Grk “they”; the referent (the city officials) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
had received bail ▼▼ That is, “a payment” or “a pledge of security” (BDAG 472 s.v. ἱκανός 1) for which “bail” is the most common contemporary English equivalent.
from Jason and the others, they released them. Paul and Silas at Berea
10 The brothers sent Paul and Silas off to Berea ▼▼ Berea (alternate spelling in NRSV Beroea; Greek Beroia) was a very old city in Macedonia on the river Astraeus about 45 mi (75 km) west of Thessalonica.
▼▼ For location see Journey of Paul map 1-C1; Journey of Paul map 2-C1; Journey of Paul map 3-C1; Journey of Paul map 4-C1.
at once, during the night. When they arrived, ▼▼ Grk “who arriving there, went to.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (οἵτινες, hoitines) has been left untranslated and a new English sentence begun. The participle παραγενόμενοι (paragenomenoi) has been taken temporally.
they went to the Jewish synagogue. ▼
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