Acts 17:5

But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

1. However many Jews were not converted, or convinced by the teaching of Paul.

2. They became envious because of the many converts Paul was making.

3. A plot emerges. They get some men from the marketplace (men just hanging around, talking, with nothing to do) and who have no interest in the religious dispute. These men begin talking to gather a mob.

4. They sent the whole city into confusion.

5. Even today, a crowd will gather where there is any excitement or a stir. Just begin some commotion and others will come out of their houses just to see what the excitement is all about.

6. It would seem that Jason is: a) a convert; b) the host for Paul and Silas. The mob decides to attack the house of Jason and bring out Paul and Silas.