Reading for June 9th

 Read Acts 17.1-15. In 17.1-15: Conflicts in Thessalonica and Beroea. In verses 1-2: As was his custom like Jesus (Lk 4.16), Paul's mission again begins with the Jews, in a synagogue, on a sabbath (16.13; 17.17). In verse 3: The scriptural interpretations again focus on the necessity of the suffering Messiah and that Jesus is the Messiah (2.32-36; 3.18-20; 4.26-7). In verse 5: Jealousy was also identified as the motive for earlier efforts by Jews to stir up opposition to the apostles (5.17; 13.45), which is probably an echo of Deut 32.21 where God makes Israel jealous (see Rom 10.19). Jason's house is identified  as a house of prayer or a "house church" (see Lydia in 16.15). In verse 6: Turning the world upside down meant rebellion against the Roman order ( (11.28; 21.38; 24.5). In verse 7: Calling Jesus "the messiah" sounded like he was being acclaimed a king which either meant a pretender to the rule of  the emperor at least the crowing of a ruler without Roman authorization, grounds enough for an execution (Lk 23.2-3, 35-37). In verse 9: Unlike the Philippi, the officials use the legal means of bail and Paul and Silas depart without a confrontation (16.36-30). In verse 10: Beroea is about 60 miles soul of Thessalonica.  In verses 11-12: Their scripture study every day is commended as a questing for the truth in contrast to the rabble in Thessalonica. The greek women and men appear to be in the synagogue too. Comments or Questions..