Acts 19:23-41 Lesson 266

Acts 19:23-41
Lesson 266

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

The great silversmith riot!

Demetrius stirs up a riot.
By British artist Edward Henry Corbould (1815-1905).

Who was -

Diana -
Diana is the Roman name for Artemis, the Greek goddess of fertility (also called the goddess of the wilderness or the goddess of the hunt and wild animals). Pagans believed Diana was the daughter of Zeus and Leto and the twin sister of Apollo.  Spartans offered sacrifices to her before going into battle. From Asia Minor to Spain, pagan temples were built to honor her, but the most prestigious temple was just outside the city walls of Ephesus. The temple was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was made of Parian marble with gold inlay and took over two hundred years to build. The temple was 425 feet long, 220 feet wide, 60 feet high, with 127 gold plated marble columns holding up the roof, each column standing 56 feet tall.  It was filled with great works of art and housed an image of Diana carved from rock said to have fallen from the heavens (19:35).  The temple attracted tourists and worshippers from throughout the Roman empire, especially each May 25th when a parade and festival that included wild orgies were held in Diana's honor. No doubt the trinket and souvenir sales were very profitable.  The temple stood until AD 262, until the Goths destroyed it.

Gaius -
A Macedonian (Greek) baptized by Paul (1 Corinthians 1:14). Paul was staying in Gaius' home in Corinth when he wrote "The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans" (Romans 16:23). Gaius traveled with Paul to Asia on the third missionary journey (Acts 20:4-6).  We see in this passage; an angry mob attacked Gaius in Ephesus (Acts 19:29).

Aristarchus -
A Macedonian (Acts 19:29) from Thessalonica (Acts 20:4) who befriended Paul and worked along side him (Philemon 1:24). A Jewish convert, Aristarchus traveled with Paul on the third missionary journey (Acts 27:1-2) and was caught by the mob during the silversmith riot in Ephesus.  He sailed to Rome with Paul (Acts 27:1-2), and they were imprisoned there together (Colossians 4:10). It is uncertain how Aristarchus died, but some historians believe he was killed for his faith during the reign of Nero.

Study Tip:

Don't forget to read the Margin Notes in blue and to click on the links.

The Acts of the Apostles

The King James Bible

Acts 19:23-41
The craftsmen riot

23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Margin notes:

"He called together with the workmen of like occupation." (19:25) - Demetrius, the silversmith, gathered the other craftsmen to discuss their loss of business. They sold trinkets, idols, shrines, and souvenirs honoring the goddess Diana. With Paul converting so many to Christianity, sales were down.

"Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands." (19:26) - Why would Paul say that? See Psalm 115:4; Isaiah 44:10-20; Acts 17:29 and 1 Corinthians 8:4.

"Our craft is in danger to be set at nought." (19:27) - "Our business is in danger of being ruined."

"The disciples suffered him not." (19:30) - Fearing for Paul's safety, the disciples wouldn't allow him to address the mob.

"Certain of the chief of Asia." (19:31) - The chief of Asia were the officials of the province, called Asiarchs. They were wealthy aristocrats elected each year to organize religious feasts and promote religion and patriotism. Some of these chiefs befriended Paul.

"Desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theater." (19:31) - "Begging him (Paul) not to venture into the theater." The "theater" was the amphitheater where the town meetings were held three times a month.

"For the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together." (19:32) - "The mob was confused, and most didn't know why they were even there."

"Townclerk." (19:35) - The mayor. He tried to settle the mob down. He and the Asiarchs would have the unpleasant task of explaining to Rome why there was a riot (19:40).

"The image which fell down from Jupiter." (19:35) - The image was probably a meteor that fell to earth. It was decided that the stone had fallen from heaven and looked like the goddess Diana. They considered it holy and worshipped it.

"Ye have brought hither these men." (19:37) - "You brought these men here (to the theater)." Remember, the theater is where the town meetings were held.

"If....the craftsmen...have a matter against any man, the law is open." (19:38) - Means, "If the craftsman have a complaint against anyone, the assembly is open to hear it."

"Let them implead." (19:38) - "Let them bring charges."

"It shall be determined in a lawful assembly." (19:39) - "It shall be settled in a legal meeting."

"We are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar." (19:40) - Means the city was walking on dangerous ground. The Romans might want an explanation for the uproar.

"Give an account of this concourse." (19:40) - "Give an account of this turmoil."

New Living Translation

Acts 19:23-41
The Riot in Ephesus

23 About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way.

24 It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy.

25 He called them together, along with others employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows:

"Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business.

26 But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren't really gods at all. And he's done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province!

27 Of course, I'm not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I'm also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis-this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world-will be robbed of her great prestige!"

28 At this their anger boiled, and they began shouting, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

29 Soon the whole city was filled with confusion. Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia.

30 Paul wanted to go in, too, but the believers wouldn't let him.

31 Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater.

32 Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn't even know why they were there.

33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward and told him to explain the situation. He motioned for silence and tried to speak.

34 But when the crowd realized he was a Jew, they started shouting again and kept it up for two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"

35 At last the mayor was able to quiet them down enough to speak. "Citizens of Ephesus," he said. "Everyone knows that Ephesus is the official guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, whose image fell down to us from heaven.

36 Since this is an undeniable fact, you should stay calm and not do anything rash.

37 You have brought these men here, but they have stolen nothing from the temple and have not spoken against our goddess.

38 "If Demetrius and the craftsmen have a case against them, the courts are in session and the officials can hear the case at once. Let them make formal charges.

39 And if there are complaints about other matters, they can be settled in a legal assembly.

40 I am afraid we are in danger of being charged with rioting by the Roman government, since there is no cause for all this commotion. And if Rome demands an explanation, we won't know what to say."

41 Then he dismissed them, and they dispersed.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. What does "about that way" mean? (19:23)

Please pass on your comments and suggestions.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. "About that way" refers to the way of Christ, Christianity.

Application thought for the day:

To follow Christ, many believers in Ephesus had to give up the occult and their livelihoods.
What do you have to surrender in order to be a better Christian?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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