Acts 17:8
What does Acts 17:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 17:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 17:8 means
The crowd and city rulers are troubled by the accusations. Political stability mattered greatly, and any hint of disloyalty to Cæsar could invite harsh consequences. The agitation shows how easily public opinion can be swayed when fear is stirred. Rather than sifting the message Paul preached, the authorities react to the way it is framed—as a threat to imperial order. Luke thus portrays a familiar pattern: the gospel is misrepresented to create civic anxiety. Yet even this pressure cannot halt its advance. God uses turmoil to redirect the mission and plant the word in new places without abandoning those who already believed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And hearing these things the people and the rulers of the town were troubled.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And they troubled the multitude and the city rulers, hearing these things,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they stirred up the people: and the rulers of the city, hearing these things,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they troubled the crowd and the politarchs when they heard these things.
Context
This verse records the effect of the charges in verses 6–7: officials and people are disturbed. The climate of alarm sets up the practical resolution in verse 9—taking security from Jason and others. That outcome likely restricts further public activity, prompting the brethren to send Paul and Silas away by night (verse 10). The narrative then shifts to Beroea’s more receptive environment (verses 11–12), before opposition from Thessalonica again intrudes (verse 13) and the mission pivots toward Athens (verses 14–15).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 11:48
If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.
- Matthew 2:3
And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
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