Acts 17:1–16

Attacked by a Mob in Thessalonica

17Now after they^* traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. ²And as was his custom,^a Paul went in to them and on three Sabbath days he discussed with them from the scriptures, ³explaining and demonstrating that it was necessary for the Christ^b to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”^{c 4}And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, and also a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few of the prominent women.

⁵But the Jews were filled with jealousy and, taking along some worthless men from the rabble in the marketplace and forming a mob, threw the city into an uproar. And attacking Jason’s house, they were looking for them to bring them^* out to the popular assembly. ⁶And when they^* did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world^d have come here also, ⁷whom Jason has entertained as guests! And these people are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king, Jesus!” ⁸And they threw the crowd into confusion, and the city officials who heard these things. ⁹And after^* taking money as security from Jason and the rest, they released them.

Paul and Silas in Berea

¹⁰Now the brothers sent away both Paul and Silas at once, during the night, to Berea. They^e went into the synagogue of the Jews when they^* arrived. ¹¹Now these were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica. They^f accepted the message with all eagerness, examining the scriptures every day to see if these things were so. ¹²Therefore many of them believed, and not a few of the prominent Greek women and men. ¹³But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that the message of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there too, inciting and stirring up the crowds. ¹⁴So then the brothers sent Paul away at once to go to the sea, and both Silas and Timothy remained there. ¹⁵And those who conducted Paul brought him^* as far as Athens, and after^* receiving an order for Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as soon as possible, they went away.

Paul in Athens

¹⁶Now while Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he^* observed the city was full of idols.