But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto 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.
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy (or 'jealousy') - seeing their influence likely to be destroyed [Tischendorf omits all these words; but though the manuscripts vary considerably, the three oldest-'Aleph (') A B with E etc.-have the principal part of the clause, and the reasons for its exclusion seem scarcely sufficient] --
Took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, х toon (G3588) agoraioon (G60) tinas (G5100) andras (G435) poneerous (G4190)] - better, 'certain worthless idlers;' literally, 'worthless market people' (= subrostrani) - that is, idle loungers about the place of public resort, such as are to be found in all large towns, particularly those of the East, and usually of indifferent character, ready for any excitement.
And gathered a company, х ochlopoieesantes (G3792)] - 'raised a mob.'
And assaulted the house of Jason - with whom Paul and Silas lodged (Acts 17:7). He appears to be the same as Paul's kinsman of that name, to whom, in his Epistle to the Romans (Romans 16:21), he sends salutation; and as that name (as Grotius remarks) was sometimes used as a Greek form of the word Joshua, he was probably a Hellenistic Jew. At all events, he must have been among the converts of Thessalonica.
And sought to bring them (Jason's lodgers) out to the people - or expose them to the turbulent rabble.