Acts 17:6-10
 
Acts 17:6 (KJB)
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;
 
Drew - Dragged
 
Their primary goal was to catch Paul and Silas but they were not at the house of Jason. So instead, they had dragged Jason and some of the other brethren who were at his house and brought them unto the rulers of the city. Archaeological digs have turned up the name “Politarchs” in Thessalonica. The Greek word in the text for rulers here is “politarchas.” These were the chief magistrates of the city. Notice the reason that was given why they were dragged before the rulers. The unsaved Jews wanted to get rid of the true Gospel because it started to cut into attendance and profits for the synagogue and of course for them too, so instead of revealing their real reason for inciting this mob, they stated that these which have turned the world upside down had come to Thessalonica. In other words, they were basically accusing them of mayhem and sedition, which were false charges. How things have changed, now the world turns the Christians and the churches upside down!
 
Acts 17:7 (KJB)
Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
 
Contrary - In opposition to or opposite
 
They accused Jason of harboring those who have created these problems and then they go on to accuse them of disobeying and accused them of being contrary or in opposition to the laws of Caesar which is the law of Rome. They accused them of teaching that there was another king beside Caesar and they stated that Jesus was their king. This is almost a repeat of the trial of Jesus where they accused Him of usurping the kingship of Caesar. (Mat 27:11 KJV) And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. The Jews are continuing the false accusations that Jesus is another earthly king whom they have given their allegiance to. They wanted to get the authorities to charge them with treason which is a capital offense.
 
Acts 17:8 (KJB)
And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
 
When the Jews had brought these charges against them to the rulers, it had caused them to be troubled along with the people. The reason for this was that there was no evidence of anything even resembling any political activity never mind treasonous activity. The wives of the chief men who had come to believe would also have had input concerning these false charges since they would have known that no political activity was taking place but only the preaching of the Gospel.
 
Acts 17:9 (KJB)
And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
 
It seems the chief rulers had an opportunity to question Jason and the other brethren and when they had sufficiently questioned them, they found there was no basis for these accusations, so these rulers did the right thing and let them go. There may even be a hint here that Jason posted some type of bond or money deposit to ensure the officials that no further uprisings would take place. It was probably more of a pledge but it was not a fine because no crime had taken place nor was it bail because they were not arrested.
 
Acts 17:10 (KJB)
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
 
The Christians in Thessalonica had seen how bitter and determined the unsaved Jews were to capture Paul and Silas and do them some harm. So the uprising may have been allowed by God to spare Paul and Silas from going through another Philippian experience. So as soon as they arrived in the city, the brethren had sent them away at night unto Berea which was about 35 miles (56 km) southwest of Thessalonica. As soon as they entered into Berea, Paul and Silas went to the local synagogue.

Back