Bible Strands
Acts 17:7
and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Unnamed accusers drag Jason and other believers before the Thessalonian city officials, delivering a formal complaint. They frame the missionaries' activities as a direct political threat to Roman authority.
The words — ὑποδέδεκται (hupodedektai) literally means has received or welcomed, marking Jason's hospitality. ἀπὲναντι (apenanti) conveys acting contrary to or in defiance of Caesar’s decrees.
The thread — The accusation of defying imperial authority and proclaiming another king directly parallels Luke 23:2 and John 19:12, while mirroring the charge in Acts 16:21 of promoting unlawful Roman customs.
Why it lands — The text presents a clear conflict between earthly political loyalty and the confession of Jesus as king. It demands a reader to examine where ultimate allegiance resides when civil demands contradict divine claims.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
Cross-references
- Luke 23:2 And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”
- John 19:12 From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.”
- Acts 16:21 by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.”
- Ezra 4:12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring its walls and repairing its foundations.
- Daniel 3:12 But there are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—who have ignored you, O king, and have refused to serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.”
- Daniel 6:13 Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.”
- Acts 25:8 Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”
- 1 Peter 2:15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men.