Semantica giuridica di un’oscura locuzione lucana: λαβόντες τὸ ἱκανόν (Act. Ap. 17,9)

The phrase λαβόντες τὸ ἱκανόν, which is read in Acts 17.9, is often interpreted as referring to the provision of a surety. This article proposes an examination of the papyrological and epigraphic evidences, where ἱκανόν is found with λαμβάνειν, ποιεῖν, παρασχεῖν, διδόναι and seeks to demonstrate the polyfunctional purposes of the provision of an ἱκανόν. The study of these evidences allows us to interpret the behavior of Jason of Thessaloniki in Acts 17.9 as a promise that Paul of Tarsus won’t return to the city.