17:5
This parallels the way the religious leaders treated Jesus in getting people to testify against Him. We see the deceptiveness of sin. The Jews claimed to be holding to the Law yet were willing to use “bad characters” to cause a riot. We all need to be aware how deceptive sin can be. Jason, although a Greek name, had been adopted by many Jews, and he was probably a believing Jew (Rom 16:21).
17:6-9
Having failed to find Paul and Silas at Jason’s house, the mob dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials. We should note how easy it is for evil men to get others to do their dirty work. This happened in communist Russia and Nazi Germany. Thessalonica was a very pro-Roman place, and the mantra of the Roman Empire was Caesar is Lord. We do not appreciate how revolutionary it was to say Jesus is Lord. It was a direct challenge to Roman authority, or a denial of Roman authority. We need to get rid of this nice picture we have of Jesus and the gospel. The gospel is a challenge to the world. This is why the city officials were so concerned.
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