Acts 17:6

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;

And {G1161} when they found {G2147} them {G846} not {G3361}, they drew {G4951} Jason {G2394} and {G2532} certain {G5100} brethren {G80} unto {G1909} the rulers of the city {G4173}, crying {G994},{G3754} These {G3778} that have turned {G387} the world {G3625} upside down {G387} are come {G3918} hither {G1759} also {G2532};

But when they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city authorities and shouted, “These men who have turned the whole world upside down have come here too!

But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here,

And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

Acts 17:6 captures a pivotal moment in the Apostle Paul's second missionary journey, highlighting both the transformative power of the Gospel and the intense opposition it often faced. After preaching in the synagogue in Thessalonica, Paul and Silas garnered significant interest, leading to conversions among both Jews and devout Greeks. However, this success also stirred up envy among some unbelieving Jews, who instigated a mob.

Context

This verse immediately follows a period of fervent evangelism by Paul and Silas in the city of Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4). For three Sabbaths, Paul reasoned with the people from the Scriptures, proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. Many were persuaded, but envious Jews formed a mob and attacked the house of Jason, a local believer who had hosted Paul and Silas. When they couldn't find Paul and Silas, they seized Jason and some other brethren, dragging them before the city magistrates. The accusation leveled against them, "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also," serves as a powerful, albeit unintended, testament to the profound impact of the early Christian message.

Key Themes

  • The Disruptive Power of the Gospel: The accusation that Paul and Silas "turned the world upside down" (Greek: anastatōsantōn, meaning to stir up, disturb, cause to revolt) was meant to be negative, but it inadvertently described the revolutionary nature of the Gospel. The message of Jesus Christ challenges existing social, political, and religious structures, demanding a new allegiance to God's kingdom over earthly powers. This divine disruption brings true order, though it may initially appear chaotic to those clinging to the old ways.
  • Opposition and Persecution: The envy of the unbelieving Jews led to false accusations of sedition and treason against the Roman Empire (as further detailed in Acts 17:7). This highlights a recurring theme in the book of Acts: the Gospel's advance often provokes hostility from those whose power, traditions, or comfort are threatened.
  • Boldness in the Face of Adversity: Despite the intense opposition and the danger to their host, Jason, the apostles continued to preach. This incident underscores the unwavering commitment of the early Christians to their mission, even when it meant personal risk and discomfort, echoing Paul's earlier experiences in Philippi (Acts 16:23-24).

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "turned the world upside down" translates the Greek word anastatōsantōn (ἀναστατωσάντων), which literally means "to stir up," "to cause to revolt," or "to overthrow." It conveys the idea of causing significant civil disorder or rebellion. While the accusers intended it as a grave charge of sedition, it ironically captures the profound spiritual and societal transformation that the Gospel initiated, challenging human systems with divine truth and a new way of life.

Practical Application

This verse reminds believers today that living out the Gospel can still be seen as disruptive to the status quo. Following Christ means aligning with a kingdom that operates on different principles than the world's. This may lead to misunderstanding, criticism, or even opposition, as our values, priorities, and actions stand in contrast to prevailing cultural norms. Yet, it also affirms the inherent power of the Gospel to bring about genuine, transformative change, both in individual lives and in society, as it continues to challenge and ultimately reorder the world for God's glory.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 24:5

    For we have found this man [a] pestilent [fellow], and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

  • Acts 16:19

    And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew [them] into the marketplace unto the rulers,

  • Acts 16:21

    And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

  • Acts 28:22

    But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

  • Luke 23:5

    And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.

  • Acts 21:28

    Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all [men] every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

  • Acts 21:31

    And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

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