Acts 17 9

Acts 17:9 kjv

And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

Acts 17:9 nkjv

So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Acts 17:9 niv

Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.

Acts 17:9 esv

And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Acts 17:9 nlt

So the officials forced Jason and the other believers to post bond, and then they released them.

Acts 17 verses

Acts 17 9 Meaning

The magistrates in Thessalonica demanded a legal pledge or bond, known as security, from Jason and the other believers. This was a guarantee against future disturbances, possibly related to Paul and Silas's activities or Jason's continued hospitality to them, before they were released from custody.

Acts 17 9 Context

Acts chapter 17 details Paul, Silas, and Timothy's missionary journey through Thessalonica and Berea. In Thessalonica, Paul initially preached in the Jewish synagogue, leading to conversions among some Jews, but predominantly many devout Greeks and prominent women. This success ignited jealousy among unbelieving Jews, who, after gathering a mob of troublemakers, incited unrest in the city. The mob targeted the house of Jason, Paul's host, dragging Jason and other new believers before the politarchs (city officials). The accusations were severe: hosting men who "have turned the world upside down" and, crucially, proclaiming Jesus as "another king" (Acts 17:6-7), a charge implying sedition against Caesar. Verse 9 represents the officials' resolution to this volatile situation. Instead of a full judicial process or outright condemnation, they opted for a pragmatic solution by taking a legal guarantee from Jason, thus de-escalating the immediate crisis and indirectly compelling Paul and Silas to leave the city to avoid further strife for the local Christians.

Acts 17 9 Word analysis

• And when they had taken: (Greek: καὶ λαβόντες, kai labontes) The participle "having taken" indicates an action by the authorities that directly precedes the release. It denotes an official, completed act by the politarchs as a precondition.
• security: (Greek: ἱκανὸν, hikanon) This Greek word means "sufficient," "adequate," or "enough." In a legal or financial context, as used here, it signifies "security," "pledge," "guarantee," or "bail." It was a formal bond or assurance demanded by the officials. Its nature (monetary or an oath) is not specified but served to satisfy the authorities. The purpose was to prevent further disturbances, to ensure the peace, and potentially to ensure Paul and Silas would leave town or that Jason would no longer host them.
• from Jason: (Greek: ἀπὸ Ἰάσωνος, apo Iasonos) Jason was singled out as the primary target because Paul lodged at his house (Acts 17:5). The security was directly required of him as the householder responsible for those he hosted.
• and the rest: (Greek: τῶν λοιπῶν, tōn loipōn) This refers to the other believers who were seized with Jason and brought before the politarchs. They were likely members of Jason's household or other new converts present during the mob's assault. They shared Jason's precarious situation.
• they let them go: (Greek: ἀπέλυσαν, apelysan) Meaning "they released them," "they acquitted them." This action of release came only after the "security" had been given. It signifies a conditional release from official custody or the immediate threat of arrest, not an outright exoneration of the initial accusations, but a legal maneuver to resolve the public disturbance.

• had taken security from Jason and the rest: This phrase indicates the legal settlement imposed by the city officials (politarchs). They did not find Jason guilty of sedition directly but, under pressure from the mob and the gravity of the accusations ("another king"), found it prudent to ensure civic peace. The bond served as a pragmatic measure, demonstrating official action without full endorsement of the false charges or outright condemnation of the believers.

Acts 17 9 Bonus section

The mention of "politarchs" (πολιτάρχας, politarchas) in Acts 17:6 and implicitly in verse 9 (as "they," the ones taking security) is a significant detail showcasing Luke's historical accuracy. This specific title for city magistrates was virtually unknown in ancient literature outside of Acts until numerous archaeological inscriptions bearing this title were discovered in Macedonia, particularly in Thessalonica itself, validating Luke's precise use of local terminology. This detail strengthens the authenticity of Luke's account of events in Thessalonica. The politarchs' decision to take a bond was a shrewd administrative move, addressing the immediate threat to public order and the serious nature of the political charge without requiring an exhaustive judicial process that could potentially backfire or escalate tensions with the Jewish community or the broader Roman authorities.

Acts 17 9 Commentary

Acts 17:9 records the politarchs' prudent response to the tumult in Thessalonica. Facing politically charged accusations of sedition ("another king, Jesus") leveled against Jason for harboring Paul and Silas, the officials wisely opted for a legal bond (hikanon, 'security' or 'surety') rather than a summary condemnation. This measure was a legal tactic to manage public unrest without provoking greater Roman intervention or directly validating the specious claims of rebellion against Caesar. The security acted as a guarantee: either to maintain peace, ensure Paul and Silas departed the city, or to guarantee Jason's future good behavior. This protected Jason and his fellow believers from immediate, severe legal consequences, though at a cost, while effectively necessitating the missionaries' departure, thereby redirecting the spread of the Gospel to new regions. It demonstrates the early church's entanglement with civil authority and the often-indirect, yet effective, ways local powers contained the burgeoning Christian movement.