Jason
Summary
A Christian at Thessalonica who hosted Paul and Silas and was subsequently attacked by a mob, and possibly the same person mentioned as Paul's kinsman in Romans.
☩At Thessalonica
Jason was a believer in Thessalonica who provided hospitality to Paul and Silas during their missionary work there. When the Jews stirred up a mob against the apostles, they attacked Jason's house seeking Paul and Silas. Unable to find them, the mob dragged Jason and other believers before the city authorities (politarchs), accusing them of harboring men who 'turned the world upside down' and acted contrary to Caesar's decrees by proclaiming another king, Jesus. The authorities required Jason and his companions to post bond as security, likely guaranteeing that Paul would leave the city and not return.
☩Possible Identity
In Romans 16:21, Paul sends greetings from a Jason whom he describes as his 'kinsman,' meaning either a fellow Jew or member of the same tribe. Many scholars believe this is the same Jason from Thessalonica, who may have traveled to Corinth where Paul wrote Romans. The name Jason was commonly adopted by Hellenizing Jews as it resembled the Hebrew names Jesus or Joshua. Some have conjectured that Jason may be identified with Secundus, Paul's traveling companion mentioned in Acts 20:4.
References
- 1.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Jason," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Jason," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Jason," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.George Morrish, "Jason," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).