17 ¹ THEY NOW TRAVELLED by way of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 17 ² Following his usual practice Paul went to their meetings; and for the next three Sabbaths he argued with them, quoting texts of Scripture 17 ³ which he expounded and applied to show that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. 'And this Jesus,' he said, 'whom I am proclaiming to you, is the Messiah.' 17 ⁴ Some of them were convinced and joined Paul and Silas; so did a great number of godfearing Gentiles and a good many influential women. Some witnesses read: a good many wives of leading men.
17 ⁵ But the Jews in their jealousy recruited some low fellows from the dregs of the populace, roused the rabble, and had the city in an uproar. They mobbed Jason's house, with the intention of bringing Paul and Silas before the town assembly. 17 ⁶ Failing to find them, they dragged Jason himself and some members of the congregation before the magistrates, shouting, 'The men who have made trouble all over the world have now come here; 17 ⁷ and Jason has harboured them. They all flout the Emperor's laws, and assert that there is a rival king, Jesus.' 17 ⁸ These words caused a great commotion in the mob, which affected the magistrates also. 17 ⁹ They bound over Jason and the others, and let them go.