Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 17:13

"But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes." — Acts 17:13 (ASV)

Stirred up the people. The word used here, saleuontev, properly denotes to agitate, or excite, as the waves of the sea are agitated by the wind. It is used with great beauty to denote the agitation and excitement of a popular tumult, from its resemblance to the troubled waves of the ocean. The figure is often employed by classical writers, and also occurs in the Scriptures. See Psalm 65:7; Isaiah 17:12–13; Jeremiah 46:7–8.