One version reads, "crying".. in a very noisy and clamorous way; "these that have turned the world upside down" : the whole earth": the apostles, according to the cry of these men, had thrown the whole world into disorder, and had made disturbances in kingdoms and cities, wherever they came; and had made innovations in religion, and turned men from their old way of worship to another; these; say they, "are come hither also;" to make the like disorders and disturbances, as elsewhere.
A small team composed of Paul, Silas, and Timothy are in Thessalonica in Macedonia. As in most cities, they start by going to the synagogue and showing how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah. As in most cities, some of the Jews and many of the God-fearing Gentiles accept their explanation. And, as usual, some of the Jews see their words as a threat against their position and influence (Acts 17:1–5).
Paul is used to this and the persecution that follows. In Pisidian Antioch, he and Barnabas were run out of town (Acts 13:50–51). In Iconium, they were almost stoned (Acts 14:5–7). In Lystra, Paul was stoned (Acts 14:19). And in Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten and wrongly imprisoned (Acts 16:16–24). But for the first time, Paul and his team are not around when the persecution starts; it's possible that the church is hiding them (Acts 17:10). Instead, the Jews incite a mob and attack the new converts, including their host, Jason.
“About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.” Acts 19:23
The Bible mentions a few riots, none of them favorably. Paul was the victim of rioters on several occasions (2 Corinthians 6:5; Acts 17:5; 19:23–41). In each case, jealousy and deception were at the heart of the riot. It was the hate-filled agenda of the instigators that fired up the townspeople, many of whom were not even sure of the issues at stake. The fact that most of the Ephesian rioters “did not even know why they were there” says volumes about the mob mentality (Acts 19:32).
The most infamous riot in the Bible occurred during Jesus’ trial before Pilate. The governor had found no fault in Him...cuz there was none (Luke 23:4; John 19:4). However, the chief scribes and hateful religious leaders were determined to kill Jesus, so they stirred up the crowd (Matthew 27:20; Mark 15:11). Trouble, trials, disturbances!
What happened between Paul's third and fourth missionary journeys? Trouble, but Paul glorified the Lord through it all.
The book of Acts ends with Paul still in Rome under house arrest awaiting trial. Apparently, Paul was released after two years. It’s thought that his accusers, the Jewish elders in Jerusalem, never came to Rome to accuse him. What happened after Paul’s release is even less clear. The hints given in Paul’s epistles are vague. But it’s possible that Paul went on a fourth missionary journey before his second and final imprisonment in Rome.
