Acts chapter 17

vs 1

Huzzah, a synagogue! They've had a mix of good and bad reception at the old 'gogues, but if you're a results based person, or if you think it's a zero-sum game, then you'll go for it just to get the positive results, and ignore the negative results. Which is pretty much what they do.

vs 2

So that's three weeks right there, and no doubt he was reasoning with them during the week too.

vs 3

And this was the message he was reasoning. Aimed at Jews obviously, if you're talking about the Messiah. Gentiles don't have a messiah.

vs 4

And as per usual, a movement starts from within the synagogue. Quite an influential one in this case.

vs 5

Ok, what is it with Jews and starting riots? I mean, according to Luke, this time they just go find some likely lads, buy them a couple of cases of VB, and tell them to go nuts and cause trouble! It's as if the Jews have nothing going for them except riots, because they know it's hard to prosecute or kill everyone who's rioting. And we wonder why there have been occassions where historical figures have had enough of their Jewish citizens rioting and use their military against them. (No, I'm not talking about Hitler - I'm talking about people like Pilate.)

vs 6

Notice that the ones who have 'caused trouble' (not the Jews, who were actually causing the trouble :P) aren't even there. It's not like Jason and the locals were the instigators... yet.

vs 7

Tired old arguments that were used against Jesus are used against Christians now. And to what end? For what reason? Because the Jews were jealous! Poor diddums!

vs 8

As most city officials are when they are faced with Jews rioting. It's an inner turmoil really - do I ignore them or give them some little pap request to make them happy, or do I send 200 centurions through their ranks and cause a bloody scene? Decisions decisions. Not really worth killing people over some silly internal religious problem, surely.

vs 9

Give us ten bucks, and don't do it again. Obviously these believers weren't totally dirt-poor, because otherwise bond would not have been an option. Perhaps the Jews were upset at losing the financial support of these believers?

vs 10

They just... don't... learn.

vs 11

Wow, noble Jews who do the smart thing and actually discuss and study the questions that are being brought up to them! Paul and Silas must have dropped to their knees thinking they'd reached heaven. I mean, how much more can you ask for? This is all they wanted - a fair reading and considering of their good news!

But then, how often have you shared the gospel with someone, and had them say "Wow, that's really interesting. I'd like to study that more, and see if there is truth to it?" We put a "I'd be interested in receiving more information" tick box on some of our paraphenalia, but that is really the "I don't want to be rude but I want to cop out" box, isn't it? Truth is, Bereans are hard to find.