17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the {b} world upside down are come hither also;
(b) Into whatever country and place they come, they cause sedition and tumult.
17:6 Drew Jason... unto the rulers of the city. Called politarchs in the Greek text, and so called in an inscription of the first century still seen on an ancient arch in the city.
These that have turned the world upside down. A strong tribute to the revolutionizing power of the new faith. It did change the world.
17:1-9 The drift and scope of Paul's preaching and arguing, was to prove that Jesus is the Christ. He must needs suffer for us, because he could not otherwise purchase our redemption for us; and he must needs have risen again, because he could not otherwise apply the redemption to us. We are to preach concerning Jesus that he is Christ; therefore we may hope to be saved by him, and are bound to be ruled by him. The unbelieving Jews were angry, because the apostles preached to the Gentiles, that they might be saved. How strange it is, that men should grudge others the privileges they will not themselves accept! Neither rulers nor people need be troubled at the increase of real Christians, even though turbulent spirits should make religion the pretext for evil designs. Of such let us beware, from such let us withdraw, that we may show a desire to act aright in society, while we claim our right to worship God according to our consciences.
