Acts 17:9

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 17:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
Acts 17:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, etc.] That is, received satisfaction from them, by the defence which they made for themselves, and the apostles, by the account that they gave of them and of their doctrines; whereby it plainly appeared to the full satisfaction of the magistrates, that their principles had no tendency to move sedition, or to alter the form of their government, or to do anything detrimental to Caesar, as was suggested: the Syriac, and Arabic versions render it, “took sureties”; of them for their good behaviour, and that they would be forthcoming, whenever called for: they let them go; about their business, to their own houses, and company, and did…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And when they had taken security of Jason and of the other--"the others"--probably making them deposit a money pledge that the preachers should not again endanger the public peace.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And when they had taken security of Jason - This is an expression taken from courts, and means that Jason and the other gave satisfaction to the magistrates for the good conduct of Paul and Silas, or became responsible for it. Whether it was by depositing a sum of money, and by thus giving bail, is not quite clear. The sense is, that they did it in accordance with the Roman usages, and gave sufficient security for the good conduct of Paul and Silas. Heuman supposes that the pledge given was that they should leave the city. Michaelis thinks that they gave a pledge that they would no more harbor them; but if they returned again to them, they would deliver them to the magistrates. And of the…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification