Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 17:9

"And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go." — Acts 17:9 (ASV)

The charges against Paul and Silas and their companions naturally alarmed the Thessalonian politarchs. But apparently they found the evidence for the charges scanty; after all, Paul and Silas could not be found. Therefore, they took what they thought to be a moderate and reasonable course of action. They made Jason and those with him post a bond, assuring them that there would be no further trouble. This probably meant that Paul and Silas had to leave Thessalonica and that their friends promised they would not come back, at least during the term of office of the present politarchs. When writing his Thessalonian converts a few months later, Paul speaks of many times desiring to visit them again but of being unable to because “Satan stopped us” (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Likely Paul had in mind that posted bond, and therefore his hands were tied. But though he was unable to return, that did not stop either the spread of the Gospel or the opposition of the Jews (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:2–10). Amid all their persecutions and difficulties, the Christians of Thessalonica maintained their faith and witness in a manner that filled Paul with joy (cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:6–10).