These that have turned the world upside down - That have excited commotion and disturbance in other places. The charge has been often brought against the gospel that it has been the occasion of confusion and disorder. read more
Acts 17:5-7. But the Jews which believed not, &c. Although many Jews at Thessalonica received and heartily embraced the truth, there were many who rejected it, and that, as it afterward appeared, with much malignity of heart. For the great success which Paul had in converting the idolatrous Gentiles, raised the envy and indignation of the unbelieving Jews to such a pitch, that, transported with a blind and furious zeal, they hired ( των αγοραιων τινας ανδρας πονηρους ) certain dissolute... read more
Click image for full-size versionThrough Macedonia to Athens (17:1-15)In recording the groups’ departure from Philippi and subsequent movements, the writer uses ‘they’ rather than ‘we’, indicating that Luke stayed behind in Philippi. The others moved on to Thessalonica, where over the next three Sabbaths their preaching in the synagogue brought good results (17:1-4). (If this visit to Thessalonica was the one referred to in Philippians 4:16, they probably stayed longer than three weeks, since... read more
when, &c . = not (Greek. me . App-105 ) having found them. drew = were dragging. Greek. suro. See note on John 21:8 . brethren . The believers of Acts 17:4 . unto = before. Greek. epi. App-104 . rulers of the city . Greek. politarches, compound oi polites, citizen, and archo, to rule. Only here and Acts 17:8 . The noun or the corresponding verb is found in many inscriptions in Macedonia, five of them in Thessalonica. One on an arch spanning a street to-day, where seven politarchs... read more
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.The rulers of the city ... The Greek word here is [@politarch], which is not found anywhere in Classical Greek literature; and, of course, there was a time when the radical critics were baying to the moon about "Luke's error"; however, the excavation of one of the arches that led to the ancient city has exposed an old... read more
Acts 17:6. That have turned the world upside down— "Have caused great confusion and disturbance in every place through which they have passed." read more
6. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers—literally, "the politarchs"; the very name given to the magistrates of Thessalonica in an inscription on a still remaining arch of the city—so minute is the accuracy of this history. crying, These that have turned the world upside down—(See on :-). read more
Ministry in Thessalonica 17:1-9 read more
The Jewish antagonists charged the missionaries with revolutionary teaching, namely, that another king, Jesus, would rule and reign (cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:14)."’Those,’ they said, ’who are upsetting the civilised world have arrived here.’ That is one of the greatest compliments which has ever been paid to Christianity. . . . When Christianity really goes into action it must cause a revolution both in the life of the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 17:6
The power of God in the world. "These that have turned," etc. Thessalonians excitable, especially on the subject of political change (see Epistles). The misrepresentations of spiritual work proceed from two causes: I. THE THOUGHTS OF MEN CONTRASTED WITH THE THOUGHTS OF GOD . 1. Of the religious fanatics and superstitious. The fears for truth leading to false alliances. Compromise of principle. 2. Of rulers. Government is apt to fear for itself, because it... read more