Acts 17:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This man is admirable, for he exposed himself to danger and saved them. See how Jason, by giving security, delivered Paul and in this way laid down his own soul for him.

The great part taken by the Gentiles in the preaching of the Gospel aroused all the stronger fanaticism and jealousy among the numerous Jews.

It was bitter for them to hear what was offered in the synagogues. Even more of this could be found in the apostle's private conversations with the believers.

They succeeded in raising a disturbance among the people, and part of the crowd rushed to the house of the Christian Jason, where Paul was living.

They did not find the apostle there. But Jason and some other Christians were brought before the tribunal.

Since the persecution came from the Jews, while the Gentiles were only their instrument, different accusations were brought against the apostles than those made at Philippi (Acts 16:20-21).

After passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, the apostles came to Thessalonica. There were many Jews there, and to them, according to his custom, the Apostle Paul first turned with preaching about Christ, visiting their synagogue for three Sabbaths.

The apostles' preaching had great success. Many were converted to faith in Christ, especially among the proselytes.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up a disturbance against the preachers of Christ. A certain Jason suffered especially from it, because he had given the apostles shelter in his house.

Because of this, the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea (vv. 1-10).

But the haters did not succeed in attaining their goal. The city authorities investigated the matter, found the accusation unproven, and released the accused.

But after receiving security, and so forth: more precisely, after receiving a guarantee. In what did it consist?

Of course, it guaranteed that Paul and Silas, and likewise all the Christians, were not at all violators of the imperial edicts.

It guaranteed that they were not spreading teaching against majesty, had no treasonous plans, and neither rebelled nor stirred up rebellion against majesty.

In what did this attestation or guarantee consist? It could have consisted either in a monetary pledge or in the personal detention of someone among the accused.

Since the latter does not agree with the text, "they released them," that is, all who had been brought before the authorities, the former must be supposed.

The alarm of the authorities at these accusations is understandable. To acknowledge another king in the empire besides Caesar was a crime against imperial majesty that could not fail to trouble all who heard of it.

But Jason, a resident not unknown to the authorities, explained to them how old this slander was and how unfitting it now was, since Jesus had long since been crucified.

Moreover, he gave assurance of the political reliability of all the Christians brought before the authorities, and they were released in peace.

"Wondrous is this man, exposing himself to danger and saving them."