And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

ACTS 17:6KJV
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Acts 17:6 (KJV)

What does Acts 17:6 mean?

Acts 17:6 describes how local authorities in Thessalonica were told that Paul and his companions, though not found, were causing a major disturbance—so much so that people accused them of “turning the world upside down” and now coming to their city. The verse shows the dramatic reaction of the city leaders and the seriousness with which the message of Jesus was received.

The setting is Paul and Silas’s visit to Thessalonica, where their preaching stirred up strong opposition. Unable to find Paul and Silas, the mob seized Jason (who had hosted them) and some other believers, dragging them before the city rulers. The accusation that these men “turned the world upside down” reflects both fear and recognition of the impact the Christian message was having, even far from its origins.

The Greek behind Acts 17:6

  • “turned...down” (ἀναστατόω, anastatoō): This Greek word means to cause upheaval or to stir up trouble. The accusation is not just about causing a small disturbance, but about completely upsetting the established order.
  • “world” (οἰκουμένη, oikoumenē): This word often means the inhabited world or the Roman Empire. The charge is exaggerated, but it shows how widespread and threatening the authorities viewed the Christian movement.
  • “crying” (βοάω, boaō): This word means to shout or call out loudly, indicating the public and emotional nature of the accusation.

Why Acts 17:6 matters

  • Acts 17:6 clears up that the early Christian movement was seen as a real threat to the social and religious order, not just a minor sect.
  • The verse emphasizes how quickly and widely the message about Jesus was spreading, even being noticed by those outside the faith.
  • This moment connects to the larger story in Acts, showing the pattern of opposition and misunderstanding that often followed the apostles as they shared their message in new places.

Where else these words appear

“city” Greek G4173 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 17:8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

“turned” Greek G387 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 21:38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
  • Galatians 5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

“drew” Greek G4951 · used in 5 verses

  • John 21:8 And the other disciples came in a little ship;(for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
  • Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
  • Acts 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

“Jason” Greek G2394 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 17:5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
  • Acts 17:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
  • Acts 17:9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.