Acts 19:23-41

Acts 19:23-41

[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  craft  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  no  gods,  which  are made  with  hands:  [27] So  that not  only  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  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  Paul  would  have entered  in  unto the people,  the disciples  suffered  him  not.  [31] And  certain  of the chief of Asia,  his  friends,  sent  unto  him,  desiring  not  adventure  himself  into  the theatre.  [32] Some  therefore  cried  one thing,  and some another:  for  the assembly  confused;  and  the more part  knew  not  wherefore  they were come together.  [33] And  Alexander  out of  the multitude,  the Jews  him  forward.  And  Alexander  beckoned  with the hand,  and would  have made his defence  unto the people.  [34] But  when they knew  that  a Jew,  all  with  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  that  knoweth  not  how that the city  of the Ephesians  a worshipper  of the great  Diana,  and  of the image which fell down from Jupiter?  [36] then  cannot be spoken against,  ought  to be  quiet,  and  to do  nothing  rashly.  [37] For  ye have brought hither  men,  which are neither  robbers of churches,  nor yet  blasphemers  [38] Wherefore  if  Demetrius,  and  the craftsmen  which are with  him,  have  a matter  against  any man,  the law  is open,  and  deputies:  let them implead  one another.  [39] But  if  ye enquire  any thing  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  whereby  we may  give  an account  concourse.  [41] And  spoken,  he dismissed  the assembly. 

What does Acts 19:23-41 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This incident reveals more about the effects of the gospel on Ephesian society and religion (cf. Acts 19:13-20).
"Luke"s purpose in presenting this vignette is clearly apologetic, in line with his argument for the religio licita status of Christianity (cf. Panel5 [1]) and in anticipation of the themes stressed in Paul"s speeches of defense (Panel6 , esp. chs22-26). Politically, Luke"s report of the friendliness of the Asiarchs ("officials of the province," NIV) toward Paul and of the city clerk"s intervention on his behalf is the best defense imaginable against the charge that Paul and Christianity threatened the official life of the empire." [2]