Bible Dictionaries
Jason

Holman Bible Dictionary

(jay' ssuhn) Personal name often used by Jews as a substitute for Hebrew Joshua or Joseph and also used by Gentiles. 1. In Acts 17:5 , Paul's host in Thessalonica. He was brought up on charges before the city officials when the angry Jewish mob were unable to find Paul (Acts 17:6-7 ). The Jason mentioned in Romans 16:21 may have been the same person. He is identified as a Jew who joined Paul and others in greeting the Romans.

2. A Jewish high priest during the final years of Seleucid control of Palestine. His Greek name reflects the Hellenistic influence that increasingly permeated Jewish life during the period before the Maccabean revolt. See Intertestamental History.