Jason: A Christian at Thessalonica
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Jason is a notable figure in the New Testament, recognized for his role in the early Christian community at Thessalonica. His account is primarily found in the Acts of the Apostles, where he is depicted as a hospitable and courageous supporter of Paul and Silas during their missionary journeys.

Biblical Account

The account of Jason is recorded in Acts 17:5-9. During Paul and Silas's mission in Thessalonica, they preached in the synagogue for three Sabbaths, persuading some Jews and a large number of God-fearing Greeks. However, their success incited jealousy among certain Jews, who formed a mob and instigated an uproar in the city. Unable to find Paul and Silas, the mob targeted Jason's house, where the apostles were believed to be staying.

The Berean Standard Bible recounts: "But the Jews became jealous, so they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and set the city in an uproar. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus.'" (Acts 17:5-7).

Jason and the other believers were accused of harboring men who were allegedly acting against the decrees of Caesar by proclaiming Jesus as king. This charge was serious, as it implied political insurrection. Despite the tumult, Jason's actions demonstrated his steadfast faith and commitment to the Christian mission. The city officials, after hearing the accusations, required Jason and the others to post bond before releasing them.

Role and Significance

Jason's willingness to host Paul and Silas highlights the importance of hospitality in the early church. His home became a sanctuary for the apostles, facilitating the spread of the Gospel in a hostile environment. This act of hospitality was not without risk, as it led to his arrest and the demand for a security bond. Jason's courage and support for the missionaries underscore the sacrifices made by early Christians in the face of persecution.

Possible Connections

Some scholars suggest that Jason may be the same individual mentioned in Romans 16:21, where Paul refers to a "Jason" as a kinsman. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen." (Romans 16:21). If this is the same Jason, it indicates a continued relationship with Paul and a broader involvement in the early Christian movement.

Legacy

Jason's account, though brief, serves as an enduring example of faithfulness and courage. His actions in Thessalonica contributed to the establishment and growth of the early church, demonstrating the power of hospitality and the willingness to endure persecution for the sake of the Gospel. His legacy is a testament to the vital role of lay believers in the mission of the church and the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.
Nave's Topical Index
Acts 17:5,6,7,9
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took to 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.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek
2394. Iason -- Jason, the name of one, perhaps two, Christian
... Iason Phonetic Spelling: (ee-as'-oan) Short Definition: Jason Definition: Jason,
a Christian of Thessalonica, perhaps the same as the relative of Paul. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2394.htm - 6k
Library

Thessalonica and Berea
... included in the terms to which Jason had to ... repeated that of Philippi and of
Thessalonica, with one ... The true Christian teacher wishes for no renunciation, on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/thessalonica and berea.htm

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... were satisfied with taking security from Jason and the ... and upon meeting with opposition
in Thessalonica, they went ... of the Gentiles into the Christian Church is ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xix paul and silas.htm

Thessalonica
... As the truths of the gospel were thus proclaimed in Thessalonica with mighty power ...
hope of finding the apostles, they "assaulted the house of Jason;" but they ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 22 thessalonica.htm

The First Epistle to the Thessalonians
... not call for an exposition of Christian doctrine, save ... us that Paul, while he was
in Thessalonica, worked for ... Jews, who attacked the house of Jason, where they ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the first epistle to the 2.htm

Paul and Silas in Macedonia
... this the crowd and the city officials were greatly troubled; but after Jason and
the ... where the people were of a nobler spirit than at Thessalonica, for they ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/paul and silas in macedonia.htm

Sacred Places.
... Mark in Jerusalem, Cornelius in Caesarea, Lydia in Philippi, Jason in Thessalonica,
Justus in ... In larger cities, as in Rome, the Christian community divided ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 56 sacred places.htm

Acts xvii. 1, 2, 3
... (v.9.) See how by giving security Jason sent Paul away: so that he ... "Now these," it
says, "were more noble than those in Thessalonica" (v.11): ie they were not ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxvii acts xvii 1.htm

Acts XVII
... 9) and having taken security of Jason and the others ... [400] The unbelieving Jews in
Thessalonica, anxious to ... directed public odium toward the Christian Jews, as ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvii.htm

Against those who have Given Money that they Might be Entirely ...
... of Paul and Silas were dragged before the magistrates at Thessalonica, were dismissed ...
rulers of the city, "having taken security," he says, "of Jason, and of ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon xii against those who.htm

The Same Hippolytus on the Seventy Apostles.
... 17. Silvanus, bishop of Thessalonica. 18. Crisces (Crescens), bishop of Carchedon
in Gaul. 19. ... 45. Jason, bishop of Tarsus. 46. Sosipater, bishop of Iconium. ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/the same hippolytus on the.htm

Resources
What happened on Paul's second missionary journey? | GotQuestions.org

What are the works of the law (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Lord's day? | GotQuestions.org

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Jason

Jason: A Christian at Thessalonica

Jason: Probably Paul's Kinsman, Mentioned In

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Jason
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