King James Version

What Does Acts 17:5 Mean?

Acts 17:5 in the King James Version says “But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a ... — study this verse from Acts chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 17:5 · KJV


Context

3

Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. whom: or, whom, said he, I preach

4

And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

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.

6

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;

7

Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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).

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you seen religious jealousy turn violent or destructive in modern contexts?
  2. What does Jason's willingness to shelter Paul despite personal risk teach about the cost of Christian hospitality?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
Ζηλώσαντες1 of 28

moved with envy

G2206

to have warmth of feeling for or against

δὲ2 of 28

But

G1161

but, and, etc

οἱ3 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπειθοῦντες4 of 28

which believed not

G544

to disbelieve (wilfully and perversely)

Ἰουδαῖοι5 of 28

the Jews

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

καὶ6 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

προσλαβόμενοι7 of 28

took unto them

G4355

to take to oneself, i.e., use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality)

τῶν8 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγοραίων9 of 28

of the baser sort

G60

relating to the market-place, i.e., forensic (times); by implication, vulgar

τινὰς10 of 28

certain

G5100

some or any person or object

ἄνδρας11 of 28

fellows

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

πονηροὺς12 of 28

lewd

G4190

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

καὶ13 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὀχλοποιήσαντες14 of 28

gathered a company

G3792

to make a crowd, i.e., raise a public disturbance

ἐθορύβουν15 of 28

and set all

G2350

to be in tumult, i.e., disturb, clamor

τὴν16 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλιν17 of 28

the city

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

ἐπιστάντες18 of 28

assaulted

G2186

to stand upon, i.e., be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literal)

τε19 of 28

and

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

τῇ20 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οἰκίᾳ21 of 28

the house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

Ἰάσονος22 of 28

of Jason

G2394

about to cure; jason, a christian

ἐζήτουν23 of 28

and sought

G2212

to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)

αὐτοὺς24 of 28

them

G846

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

ἀγαγεῖν25 of 28

to bring

G71

properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce

εἰς26 of 28

out

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸν27 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δῆμον·28 of 28

to the people

G1218

the public (as bound together socially)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 17:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 17:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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