Acts 17:7

Hath received. Gr. hupodechomai, “to receive [as a guest],” “to entertain,” as in Luke 10:38; 19:6; James 2:25. The apostles were Jason’s guests, and consequently he was considered a sympathizer with their teaching.

These all. That is, Jason and certain brethren. Paul and Silas, whom the accusers had not found, would also be included in the accusation if they were caught. In an even broader sense, the charge may have been against the whole Christian church.

Decrees. Gr. dogmata (see on ch. 16:4). The reference is probably to Roman laws against seditious teaching. However, it is also possible that the “decrees” here may refer to the temis of the edict issued by the emperor Claudius, under which the Jews were to be expelled from Rome, if that edict was prompted by the growth of Christianity (see Vol. V, p. 71; see on ch. 18:2). Actually, this edict was binding only in Rome and its coloniae (such as Philippi), but it would influence all parts of the Roman Empire. Thus, Thessalonica, though a free city, was under the imperial government, and would harmonize its legislation with the tenor of imperial Roman policy.

Another king. Gr. basileus heteros, that is, a different kind of king (see on Matt. 6:24). On this phrase the accusers based their main charge: They claimed that the Christians were proclaiming a rival king, or emperor. A more serious accusation could hardly be laid against any group (see Mark 12:14; see on Luke 23:2), and although it was not true, it had enough basis to appear plausible. Christians everywhere taught the superiority of Christ’s kingship (see on Matt. 3:2, 3; John 18:36), and their words could readily be interpreted into seditious sentiments by hostile critics. It is clear from the letters to the Thessalonians that Paul emphasized the kingdom in his preaching, and stressed Christ’s second coming as King (1 Thess. 1:9, 10; 2:12; 4:14-17; 5:2, 23; 2 Thess. 1:5-8; 2:8). In the eyes of a Roman official, such teaching was sufficient to substantiate the charge that the irate Jews and their associates now made.