John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And they troubled the people, and the rulers of the city , etc.] Fearing some revolution would be made, and some new king, or rather tyrant, would start up, and usurp a power over them; or that they should come under some suspicion or charge with the Roman government, and should be called to an account, for admitting such men and tenets among them; with such fears were they possessed, when they heard these things ; alleged against the apostle and his company.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - The drift and scope of Paul's preaching and arguing, was to prove tha Jesus is the Christ. He must needs suffer for us, because he could no otherwise purchase our redemption for us; and he must needs have rise again, because he could not otherwise apply the redemption to us. We are to preach concerning Jesus that he is Christ; therefore we may hop to be saved by him, and are bound to be ruled by him. The unbelievin Jews were angry, because the apostles preached to the Gentiles, tha they might be saved. How strange it is, that men should grudge other the privileges they will not themselves accept! Neither rulers no people need be troubled at the increase of real Christians, even thoug turbulent spirits should make religion the pretext for evil designs. O such let us beware, from such let us withdraw, that we may show desire to act aright in society, while we claim our right to worshi God according to our consciences.
Greek Textus Receptus
εταραξαν 5015 5656 V-AAI-3P δε 1161 CONJ τον 3588 T-ASM οχλον 3793 N-ASM και 2532 CONJ τους 3588 T-APM πολιταρχας 4173 N-APM ακουοντας 191 5723 V-PAP-APM ταυτα 5023 D-APN
Robertson's NT Word Studies
17:8 {They troubled the multitude and the rulers} (etaraxan ton oclon kai tous politarcas). First aorist active of tarassw, old verb to agitate. The excitement of the multitude "agitated" the politarchs still more. To the people it meant a revolution, to the politarchs a charge of complicity in treason if they let it pass. They had no way to disprove the charge of treason and Paul and Silas were not present.
