Acts 17:5

Context17:5 But the Jews became jealous, 1 and gathering together some worthless men from the rabble in the marketplace, 2 they formed a mob 3 and set the city in an uproar. 4 They attacked Jason’s house, 5 trying to find Paul and Silas 6 to bring them out to the assembly. 7
Acts 25:11
Context25:11 If then I am in the wrong 8 and have done anything that deserves death, I am not trying to escape dying, 9 but if not one of their charges against me is true, 10 no one can hand me over to them. 11 I appeal to Caesar!” 12
Acts 28:23
Context28:23 They set 13 a day to meet with him, 14 and they came to him where he was staying 15 in even greater numbers. 16 From morning until evening he explained things 17 to them, 18 testifying 19 about the kingdom of God 20 and trying to convince 21 them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets.
1 tn Grk “becoming jealous.” The participle ζηλώσαντες (zhlwsante") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style. So elsewhere in Acts (5:17; 7:9; 13:45).
2 tn Literally ἀγοραῖος (agoraio") refers to the crowd in the marketplace, although BDAG 14-15 s.v. ἀγοραῖος 1 gives the meaning, by extension, as “rabble.” Such a description is certainly appropriate in this context. L&N 15.127 translates the phrase “worthless men from the streets.”
3 tn On this term, which is a NT hapax legomenon, see BDAG 745 s.v. ὀχλοποιέω.
4 tn BDAG 458 s.v. θορυβέω 1 has “set the city in an uproar, start a riot in the city” for the meaning of ἐθορύβουν (eqoruboun) in this verse.
5 sn The attack took place at Jason’s house because this was probably the location of the new house church.
6 tn Grk “them”; the referents (Paul and Silas) have been specified in the translation for clarity.
7 tn BDAG 223 s.v. δῆμος 2 has “in a Hellenistic city, a convocation of citizens called together for the purpose of transacting official business, popular assembly προάγειν εἰς τὸν δ. Ac 17:5.”
8 tn BDAG 20 s.v. ἀδικέω 1.b has “intr. be in the wrong (Ex 2:13) εἰ ἀδικῶ Ac 25:11.”
9 tn BDAG 764 s.v. παραιτέομαι 2.b.β, “οὐ παραιτοῦμαι τὸ ἀποθανεῖν I am not trying to escape death Ac 25:11 (cp. Jos., Vi. 141).” To avoid redundancy in the translation, the English gerund “dying” is used to translate the Greek infinitive ἀποθανεῖν (apoqanein).
10 tn Or “but if there is nothing to their charges against me.” Both “if” clauses in this verse are first class conditions. Paul stated the options without prejudice, assuming in turn the reality of each for the sake of the argument.
11 sn That is, no one can hand me over to them lawfully. Paul was aware of the dangers of a return to Jerusalem.
12 tn Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).
sn The appeal to Caesar was known as the provocatio ad Caesarem. It was a Roman citizen’s right to ask for a direct judgment by the emperor (Pliny the Younger, Letters 10.96). It was one of the oldest rights of Roman citizens.
13 tn Grk “Having set.” The participle ταξάμενοι (taxamenoi) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
14 tn Grk “Having set a day with him”; the words “to meet” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
15 tn Or “came to him in his rented quarters.”
16 tn BDAG 848 s.v. πολύς 1.b.β.ב states, “(even) more πλείονες in even greater numbers Ac 28:23.”
17 tn The word “things” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
18 tn Grk “to whom he explained.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) has been replaced by the pronoun (“them”) and a new sentence begun at this point in the translation.
19 tn BDAG 233 s.v. διαμαρτύρομαι 1 has “to make a solemn declaration about the truth of someth. testify of, bear witness to (orig. under oath)…God’s kingdom 28:23.”
20 sn Testifying about the kingdom of God. The topic is important. Paul’s preaching was about the rule of God and his promise in Jesus. Paul’s text was the Jewish scriptures.
21 tn Or “persuade.”