Acts 17:5

"But the Jews becoming jealous" Repeatedly the Bible mentions Jewish jealousy as the reason why Jesus was executed and why the early Christians were persecuted (Acts 13:50). The jealousy appears to be connected with the fact that Paul and Silas through their preaching were taking families away from the synagogue and at times growing into. bigger group than the local synagogue. "Taking along some wicked men from the market place" The term "wicked" here implies. delight in doing harm to others. "They would be men who had no steady jobs and who just loafed around the forum. Such men are always ready to earn. quick dollar" (Reese p. 614). "Formed. mob and set the city in an uproar" Such wicked men were hired to stir up trouble. They probably had no true convictions of their own, except for the conviction to make. quick and easy dollar. Again notice that the Jewish leadership does not offer to meet Paul in. public debate concerning the Scriptures and Jesus. "Coming upon the house of Jason" We are not told much about Jason, but see Romans 16:21. But apparently, Paul and Silas had been staying in the home of this Christian and the Jewish leaders thought they might be here. "They were seeking to bring them out to the people" This may refer to bringing Paul and Saul out to an assembly of the citizens for. trial and. hopeful stoning or other punishment. The city of Thessalonica was. free city and did have. citizen's council.