📖 Biblical Definition
Jason was the Thessalonian believer who hosted Paul and Silas in his home during their brief Thessalonian mission (Acts 17:1-9). When the city erupted at Paul’s preaching, the mob — incited by certain unbelieving Jews — could not find the missionaries and dragged Jason and other brethren before the city rulers, charging: "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus" (17:6-7). The accusation of political subversion was deadly serious under Roman law. Jason and the others posted security and were released, and Paul and Silas were sent away by night to Berea. Jason paid the cost of hospitality; Paul mentions a Jason in Romans 16:21 who may be the same man.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The Thessalonian host of Paul and Silas; bound over by the city rulers when the missionaries could not be found (Acts 17:5-9).
expand to see more
Acts 17:5-9 records the episode; Jason posted security (probably a financial bond) for Paul and Silas's good behavior, which prompted Paul's urgent night departure to Berea.
Possibly the same Jason of Romans 16:21, whom Paul calls a ‘kinsman’ — though the name was common in the Hellenistic Jewish world.
📖 Key Scripture
Acts 17:5 — "But the Jews which believed not... assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people."
Acts 17:6 — "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also."
Acts 17:7 — "Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus."
Acts 17:9 — "And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often treats hospitality as a sentimental virtue; Jason hosted Paul and got dragged before the rulers for it.
expand to see more
Hospitality in Acts is not safe. Jason's house was assaulted, the missionaries had to flee, and he himself was hauled before city authorities and made to post bond. The cost of opening a Christian guest room was real and immediate.
Recover this side of biblical hospitality and the practice deepens. To house a faithful messenger may bring risk, expense, and disturbance into one's own life. Jason did not regret it; the church at Thessalonica owes its founding partly to his front door.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
His Greek name was a common diaspora-Jewish substitute for Joshua / Jesus.
expand to see more
Greek Iason — commonly used by Hellenized Jews as a substitute for the Hebrew Yeshua (Joshua / Jesus); the names sounded similar.
Note: not the same as the mythological Jason of the Argonauts; the New Testament Jason is a Jewish believer.
Usage
"Hospitality in Acts is not safe."
"The world-turners stayed at Jason's; that is one form of risk."
"Some doors open and stay open; the bill comes later."