Page 37 - acts_study_book3

Paul’s usual custom in a city is to first find a synagogue (if there is one) and minister to the Jews
(Romans 1:16). Because Paul has so many credentials from the Jewish religion, they quickly
give him the floor the first time or two. In Thessalonica, Paul is able to preach three times
before he is recognized as a Jewish rebel. In Thessalonica, Paul not only teaches, he answers
questions. This demonstrates the vast amount of knowledge and confidence Paul possesses.
Later, word spreads from the Jewish headquarters in Jerusalem not to allow him to speak in the
synagogue. This will all catch up with him in chapter 21 in Jerusalem at the temple.

Act 17:3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the
dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."

Opening (revealing from Scripture) and alleging (proving), that Christ must needs (deo: had an
obligation) have suffered (died), and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I
preach unto you, is Christ.

Paul takes familiar Old Testament scriptures and pulls the revelation out of them. He teaches
whom the sacrifices were speaking of, not only the ritual. Jesus is the Messiah that they have
been waiting for. The Old Testament prophesied of His coming, and Jesus fulfilled it. Jesus
Christ is clearly revealed in the Old Testament.
17:3 suffer, pascho (pas-kho); Compare “passion,” “passive,” “pathos.” Being acted
upon in a certain way, to experience ill-treatment, roughness, violence, or outrage, to
endure suffering, and to undergo evils from without. Pascho asks the painful question:
“What is happening to me?” Of the 42 times it appears it is mostly used of Christ’s
suffering for us.

Act 17:4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and
not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.

This is a usual pattern in the Gentile areas Paul has traveled to. Some of the Jews receive, many
of the Gentiles becomes born again, and many of the chief leaders in the city accept Jesus.
Persecution then arises from the Jews who do not believe Paul’s message.

UPRISING AND ATTACK ON JASON’S HOUSE (5-9)

Some of the Jews become jealous of Paul and Silas, form a mob, and inflame the people to the
point of attacking the house of Jason, thinking they will find Paul and Silas. They drag Jason and
his brothers from his house and accuse them of being against the decrees of Caesar. The
authorities take money from Jason and those with him and then release them.

UNJUST ACCUSATIONS

Act 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.