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使徒行传 19
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
使徒行传 19
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
在以弗所
19 亞波羅在哥林多的時候，保羅經過內地一帶，來到以弗所。他遇見幾個門徒， 2 問他們說：“你們信的時候，受了聖靈沒有？”他們說：“沒有，連聖靈賜下來這件事，我們也沒有聽過。” 3 保羅問：“那麼你們受的是甚麼洗呢？”他們說：“是約翰的洗禮。” 4 保羅說：“約翰施的是悔改的洗禮，他告訴人民當信在他以後要來的那一位，就是耶穌。” 5 他們聽見了，就受洗歸入主耶穌的名下。 6 保羅為他們按手，聖靈就降在他們身上，他們就用各種的語言講話，並且說預言。 7 他們一共約有十二人。
8 一連三個月，保羅都到會堂裡去，放膽宣講，辯論 神的國的事，勸導人。 9 可是有些人心裡剛硬，不受勸化，在群眾面前毀謗這道，保羅就離開他們，也叫門徒與他們分開。他每天在推喇奴學院跟人辯論。 10 這樣過了兩年，全亞西亞的居民，無論猶太人或希臘人，都聽見了主的道。
士基瓦的七個兒子
11 神藉著保羅的手，行了一些不平凡的神蹟。 12 甚至有人把保羅貼身的手巾圍巾拿去，放在病人身上，病就好了，邪靈也出來了。 13 那時，有幾個趕鬼的猶太人，周遊各處，擅自用主耶穌的名，向身上有邪靈的人說：“我奉保羅所傳的耶穌的名，命令你們出來。” 14 有一個猶太人士基瓦，是祭司長，他的七個兒子都作這事。 15 邪靈回答他們：“耶穌我認識，保羅我也知道；你們是誰？” 16 邪靈所附的那人就撲到他們身上，制伏了兩人，勝過了他們，使他們赤著身帶著傷，從那房子逃了出來。 17 所有住在以弗所的猶太人和希臘人，都知道這件事；大家都懼怕，尊主耶穌的名為大。 18 也有許多信了的人，來承認和述說自己行過的事。 19 又有許多行巫術的人，把他們的書堆在一起當眾燒掉。他們估計書價，才知道共值五萬塊銀子。 20 這樣，主的道大有能力地興旺起來，而且得勝。
以弗所的騷動
21 這些事以後，保羅心裡定意要經過馬其頓、亞該亞，往耶路撒冷去。他說：“我到了那邊以後，也該去羅馬看看。” 22 於是從服事他的人中，派了提摩太和以拉都兩人去馬其頓，自己暫時留在亞西亞。
23 那時，因這道起了大擾亂， 24 有一個銀匠，名叫低米丟，是製造亞底米女神銀龕的。他讓技工們作了不少的生意。 25 他把這些人和同業的工人聚集起來，說：“各位，你們知道，我們是靠這生意賺錢的。 26 現在你們看見了，也聽見了，這個保羅不單在以弗所，而且幾乎在整個亞西亞，說服了，也帶壞了許多人，說：‘人手所做的，都不是神。’ 27 這樣，不只我們這一行要給人鄙視，就是大女神亞底米的廟也會給人撇棄，連全亞西亞和普天下所敬拜的女神也要垮臺，威榮盡都失掉了。”
28 他們聽了，怒氣沖沖喊著說：“以弗所人的女神，偉大的亞底米啊！” 29 全城騷動起來，他們捉住了保羅的旅伴馬其頓人該猶和亞里達古，齊心衝進了劇場。 30 保羅想要到人群當中去，門徒卻不許。 31 還有幾位亞西亞的首長，是保羅的朋友，派人來勸他，不要冒險到劇場裡去。 32 那時大家叫這個喊那個，亂成一團，大多數的人都不知道聚集的原因。 33 猶太人把亞歷山大推到前面，群眾中有人把這事的因由告訴他。亞歷山大作了一個手勢，要向民眾申辯。 34 大家一認出他是猶太人，就異口同聲高呼：“以弗所人的女神，偉大的亞底米啊！”喊了約有兩個鐘頭。 35 後來，書記官安撫群眾說：“以弗所人哪！誰不知道你們的城，是看守大亞底米的廟，又是看守宙斯那裡降下的神像的呢？ 36 這些事既然是駁不倒的，你們就應當平心靜氣，不可輕舉妄動。 37 你們帶來的這些人，既沒有行劫廟宇，也沒有褻瀆我們的女神。 38 如果低米丟和同他一起的技工要控告誰，大可以告上法庭，或呈交總督；讓他們彼此控告好了。 39 如果還有其他的事件，可以在合法的集會裡，謀求解決。 40 今天的動亂，本來是無緣無故的，我們可能有被控告的危險；關於這次的騷動，我們實在無法解釋。” 41 說了這些話，就把群眾解散了。
Actes 19
Segond 21
Actes 19
Segond 21
19 Pendant qu'Apollos était à Corinthe, Paul arriva à Ephèse après avoir traversé les hautes provinces de l'Asie. Il rencontra quelques disciples 2 et leur dit: «Avez-vous reçu le Saint-Esprit lorsque vous avez cru?» Ils lui répondirent: «Nous n'avons même pas entendu parler d'un Saint-Esprit.» 3 Il demanda: «Quel baptême avez-vous donc reçu?» Ils répondirent: «Le baptême de Jean.» 4 Alors Paul dit: «Jean a baptisé du baptême de repentance, en disant au peuple de croire en celui qui venait après lui, c'est-à-dire en Jésus [le Messie].» 5 Sur ces paroles, ils furent baptisés au nom du Seigneur Jésus. 6 Lorsque Paul posa les mains sur eux, le Saint-Esprit vint sur eux et ils se mirent à parler en langues et à prophétiser. 7 Il y avait une douzaine d’hommes en tout.
8 Ensuite Paul entra dans la synagogue où il parla avec assurance. Pendant 3 mois, il discuta de ce qui concerne le royaume de Dieu et il s'efforça de persuader ceux qui l'écoutaient. 9 Cependant, quelques-uns restaient endurcis et incrédules et disaient du mal de la voie du Seigneur devant la foule. Alors il les quitta, prit les disciples à part et enseigna chaque jour dans l'école d'un dénommé Tyrannus. 10 Cela dura 2 ans, si bien que tous les habitants de l'Asie, juifs et non juifs, entendirent la parole du Seigneur. 11 Dieu faisait des miracles extraordinaires par l’intermédiaire de Paul, 12 au point qu'on appliquait sur les malades des linges ou des mouchoirs qui avaient touché son corps; les maladies les quittaient et les esprits mauvais sortaient [d’eux].
13 Quelques exorcistes juifs ambulants essayèrent de prononcer le nom du Seigneur Jésus sur ceux qui avaient des esprits mauvais; ils disaient: «Nous vous conjurons par le Jésus que Paul prêche!» 14 Ceux qui faisaient cela étaient sept fils de Scéva, un Juif chef des prêtres. 15 L'esprit mauvais leur répondit: «Je connais Jésus et je sais qui est Paul; mais vous, qui êtes-vous?» 16 Alors l'homme qui avait l'esprit mauvais en lui se jeta sur eux, les maîtrisa tous et les maltraita de telle sorte qu'ils s'enfuirent de cette maison nus et blessés. 17 Cela fut connu de tous les habitants d’Ephèse, juifs et non juifs; la crainte s'empara de tous et on célébrait la grandeur du nom du Seigneur Jésus. 18 Beaucoup de croyants venaient reconnaître publiquement ce qu'ils avaient fait. 19 Un grand nombre de ceux qui avaient pratiqué la magie apportèrent leurs livres et les brûlèrent devant tout le monde. On en estima la valeur à 50'000 pièces d'argent. 20 C'est ainsi que la parole du Seigneur se propageait et gagnait en puissance.
21 Après ces événements, Paul forma le projet d'aller à Jérusalem en traversant la Macédoine et l'Achaïe. «Quand j'y serai allé, disait-il, il faudra aussi que je me rende à Rome.» 22 Il envoya en Macédoine deux de ses aides, Timothée et Eraste, et resta lui-même encore quelque temps en Asie.
23 A cette époque, il se produisit un grand trouble au sujet de la voie du Seigneur. 24 En effet, un orfèvre du nom de Démétrius fabriquait des temples d'Artémis en argent et procurait un gain considérable aux artisans. 25 Il les rassembla avec ceux qui exerçaient une activité similaire et dit: «Vous savez que notre prospérité dépend de cette industrie. 26 Or, vous voyez et entendez dire que non seulement à Ephèse, mais dans presque toute l'Asie, ce Paul a persuadé et détourné une grande foule en disant que les dieux fabriqués par la main de l’homme ne sont pas des dieux. 27 Cela risque non seulement de discréditer notre activité, mais aussi de réduire à néant l’importance du temple de la grande déesse Artémis et même de dépouiller de sa majesté celle que toute l'Asie et le monde entier vénèrent.»
28 A ces mots, ils furent remplis de colère et se mirent à crier: «Grande est l'Artémis des Ephésiens!» 29 Toute la ville fut dans l'agitation. Ils se précipitèrent tous ensemble au théâtre en entraînant avec eux Gaïus et Aristarque, des Macédoniens compagnons de voyage de Paul. 30 Paul voulait se présenter devant le peuple, mais les disciples l'en empêchèrent, 31 et même quelques Asiarques[a] qui étaient ses amis envoyèrent quelqu'un vers lui pour l’inviter à ne pas se rendre au théâtre. 32 Les uns criaient une chose, les autres une autre, car la confusion régnait dans l'assemblée et la plupart ne savaient pas pourquoi ils s'étaient réunis. 33 Alors on fit sortir de la foule Alexandre, que les Juifs poussaient en avant, et Alexandre fit signe de la main qu'il voulait parler au peuple. 34 Mais quand ils reconnurent qu'il était juif, tous crièrent d'une seule voix pendant près de deux heures: «Grande est l'Artémis des Ephésiens!»
35 Cependant le secrétaire de la ville put calmer la foule: «Ephésiens, dit-il, quelle est la personne qui ignore que la ville d'Ephèse est la gardienne du temple de la grande [déesse] Artémis et de sa statue tombée du ciel? 36 C'est un fait incontestable! Vous devez vous calmer et ne rien faire avec précipitation. 37 En effet, vous avez amené ces hommes ici alors qu’ils ne sont coupables ni de sacrilège ni de blasphème envers notre déesse. 38 Si donc Démétrius et les artisans qui l’accompagnent ont à se plaindre de quelqu'un, il y a des jours d'audience et des gouverneurs: qu'ils portent plainte. 39 Et si vous avez d'autres réclamations, cela se réglera dans une assemblée légale. 40 Nous risquons en effet d'être accusés de révolte pour ce qui s'est passé aujourd'hui, puisqu'il n'existe aucun motif qui nous permette de justifier cet attroupement.» Avec ces paroles, il congédia l'assemblée.
Footnotes
- Actes 19:31 Asiarques: délégués nommés annuellement par plusieurs villes de la province d’Asie, ils étaient chargés de la surveillance des affaires religieuses et des jeux publics (notamment du culte impérial).
Acts 19
New Catholic Bible
Acts 19
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 19
Paul in Ephesus.[a] 1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No. We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 He asked, “Then how were you baptized?” They answered, “With the baptism of John.”
4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve of them in all.
8 He then entered the synagogue, and during the next three months he spoke out fearlessly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some remained stubborn in their disbelief and began to malign the Way publicly. So he withdrew from them, taking the disciples with him, and began to hold daily discussions in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, with the result that all the residents of the province of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.
11 New Encounter of the Church with Magic.[b] So extraordinary were the wonders God worked through Paul 12 that when handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, they were cured of their diseases and the evil spirits came out of them.
13 Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists used the name of the Lord Jesus over those possessed by evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish leading priest named Sceva were among those who were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit sprang at them, overpowered them, and prevailed over them so violently that they fled out of the house battered and naked.
17 When this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, everyone was awestruck, and the name of the Lord Jesus came to be held in ever increasing honor. 18 Moreover, many of those who had become believers came forward and openly confessed their deeds, 19 while a great number of those who practiced magic collected their books and burned them publicly. When the value of these books was calculated, it was found to come to fifty thousand silver pieces.[c] 20 In such ways did the word of the Lord spread ever more widely and successfully.
21 Paul’s Future Plans.[d] After all this had been accomplished, Paul decided in the Spirit to visit Macedonia and Achaia and then return to Jerusalem. “And after I have been there,” he said, “I must also visit Rome.” 22 Then he sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he himself stayed a while longer in the province of Asia.
23 The Riot of the Silversmiths. About that time, a serious disturbance broke out concerning the Way. 24 A man named Demetrius was a silversmith who crafted silver shrines of Artemis[e] that provided considerable employment for the craftsmen. 25 He called a meeting of these craftsmen and of those in similar trades, and addressed them: “As you men know, our prosperity depends upon this business. 26 And as you can now see and hear, not only in Ephesus but also throughout most of the province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people by insisting that gods fashioned by human hands are not gods.
27 “Therefore, we are facing a dangerous situation. Not only may our business be discredited, but it could also happen that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will become an object of scorn, and that she who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the entire world will be deprived of her greatness.”
28 When they heard this, they became enraged and began to shout, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 The entire city was in an uproar, and the people all rushed to the theater, dragging along with them Gaius and Aristarchus,[f] Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not permit him to do so. 31 Even some officials of the province of Asia who were friendly to him sent him a message urging him not to venture into the theater.[g]
32 Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in an uproar, and most of the people had no idea why they had all come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had pushed forward. Then Alexander motioned for silence and tried to offer some type of defense. 34 However, as soon as the crowd recognized him to be a Jew, all of them shouted in unison for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 Finally, the town clerk quieted the crowd and said, “Citizens of Ephesus, is there anyone who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the guardian of the temple[h] of the great Artemis and of her statue that descended from heaven? 36 Since these things cannot be denied, you ought to remain calm and do nothing rash. 37 These men whom you have brought here are not temple robbers, nor have they uttered any blasphemy against our goddess.
38 “Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow artisans have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges there against one another. 39 If there are further charges to present, let these be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting today. There is no reason for it, and we will be unable to offer any justification for this commotion.” 41 When he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
Footnotes
- Acts 19:1 The foundation of the Church of Ephesus takes place in the house of a Greek professor. In all likelihood, during this same period Paul’s group established the nearby Churches, such as those of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.
- Acts 19:11 Here we have a new account of miracles analogous to those of Peter (Acts 5:15); the Gospel changes one’s life. Then the account becomes picturesque in reporting a new encounter with a milieu influenced by magic. From the Gospels, we know that there were Jewish exorcists (Mt 12:27) and that some even acted in the very name of Jesus (Mk 9:38; Lk 9:49). Those at Ephesus must have moved with ease in this city of superstition where books of magic proliferated. The feeling is that since there is a new name circulating—that of Paul’s Jesus—why not profit from that name so as to be up-to-date! However, once again we see the affirmation of the incompatibility between the magic enterprise and the Christian life. The Gospel will never be a secret act in the hands of sorcerers.
- Acts 19:19 Fifty thousand silver pieces was an enormous sum, representing the wages for 50,000 days of work.
- Acts 19:21 Luke announces the two stages that comprise the last part of Acts (21–28). He presents beforehand each cycle of new events in the course of the one that precedes.
- Acts 19:24 Artemis: the Greek name for the Roman goddess Diana. However, Artemis also had the characteristics of Cybele, the mother goddess of fertility worshiped in Asia Minor. She was one of the most widely worshiped female deities in the Hellenistic world (see Acts 19:27), and her temple at Ephesus was known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
- Acts 19:29 Aristarchus: later he traveled with Paul from Corinth to Jerusalem (Acts 20:3f) and again from Jerusalem to Rome (Acts 27:1f; Col 4:10).
- Acts 19:31 The story mentions the sympathy Paul won from some officials of the province (“asiarchs,” “heads of Asia”). It also underscores the participation of lay believers in the struggle (vv. 29-30).
- Acts 19:35 Guardian of the temple: a title given by Rome to cities that provided a temple for the cult of the Emperor. Ephesus was recognized as the provider of the temple of Artemis and of the cult of the Emperor. The statue of the goddess (425 feet long and 220 feet wide, with 127 marble columns 62 feet high and less than four feet apart) was thought of as having descended from heaven.
Acts 19
New International Version
Acts 19
New International Version
Paul in Ephesus
19 While Apollos(A) was at Corinth,(B) Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.(C) There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit(D) when[a] you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism(E) was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”(F) 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(G) 6 When Paul placed his hands on them,(H) the Holy Spirit came on them,(I) and they spoke in tongues[b](J) and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
8 Paul entered the synagogue(K) and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.(L) 9 But some of them(M) became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way.(N) So Paul left them. He took the disciples(O) with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years,(P) so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia(Q) heard the word of the Lord.(R)
11 God did extraordinary miracles(S) through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured(T) and the evil spirits left them.
13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits(U) tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus(V) whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus,(W) they were all seized with fear,(X) and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.[c] 20 In this way the word of the Lord(Y) spread widely and grew in power.(Z)
21 After all this had happened, Paul decided[d] to go to Jerusalem,(AA) passing through Macedonia(AB) and Achaia.(AC) “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.”(AD) 22 He sent two of his helpers,(AE) Timothy(AF) and Erastus,(AG) to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia(AH) a little longer.
The Riot in Ephesus
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.(AI) 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.(AJ) 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus(AK) and in practically the whole province of Asia.(AL) He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.(AM) 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”(AN) 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius(AO) and Aristarchus,(AP) Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia,(AQ) and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples(AR) would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.
32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another.(AS) Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned(AT) for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”(AU)
35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians,(AV) doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples(AW) nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen(AX) have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls.(AY) They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
Footnotes
- Acts 19:2 Or after
- Acts 19:6 Or other languages
- Acts 19:19 A drachma was a silver coin worth about a day’s wages.
- Acts 19:21 Or decided in the Spirit
Acts 19
Easy-to-Read Version
Acts 19
Easy-to-Read Version
Paul in Ephesus
19 While Apollos was in the city of Corinth, Paul was visiting some places on his way to Ephesus. In Ephesus he found some other followers of the Lord. 2 He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
These followers said to him, “We have never even heard of a Holy Spirit!”
3 Paul asked them, “So what kind of baptism did you have?”
They said, “It was the baptism that John taught.”
4 Paul said, “John told people to be baptized to show they wanted to change their lives. He told people to believe in the one who would come after him, and that one is Jesus.”
5 When these followers heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 Then Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came on them. They began speaking different languages and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in this group.
8 Paul went into the synagogue and spoke very boldly. He continued doing this for three months. He talked with the Jews, trying to persuade them to accept what he was telling them about God’s kingdom. 9 But some of them became stubborn and refused to believe. In front of everyone, they said bad things about the Way. So Paul left these Jews and took the Lord’s followers with him. He went to a place where a man named Tyrannus had a school. There Paul talked with people every day. 10 He did this for two years. Because of this work, everyone in Asia, Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.
The Sons of Sceva
11 God used Paul to do some very special miracles. 12 Some people carried away handkerchiefs and clothes that Paul had used and put them on those who were sick. The sick people were healed, and evil spirits left them.
13-14 Some Jews also were traveling around forcing evil spirits out of people. The seven sons of Sceva, one of the leading priests, were doing this. These Jews tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to make the evil spirits go out of people. They all said, “By the same Jesus that Paul talks about, I order you to come out!”
15 But one time an evil spirit said to these Jews, “I know Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
16 Then the man who had the evil spirit inside him jumped on these Jews. He was much stronger than all of them. He beat them up and tore their clothes off. They all ran away from that house.
17 All the people in Ephesus, Jews and Greeks, learned about this. They were all filled with fear and gave great honor to the Lord Jesus. 18 Many of the believers began to confess, telling about all the evil things they had done. 19 Some of them had used magic. These believers brought their magic books and burned them before everyone. These books were worth about 50,000 silver coins.[a] 20 This is how the word of the Lord was spreading in a powerful way, causing more and more people to believe.
Paul Plans a Trip
21 After this, Paul made plans to go to Jerusalem. He planned to go through the regions of Macedonia and Achaia, and then go to Jerusalem. He thought, “After I visit Jerusalem, I must also visit Rome.” 22 Timothy and Erastus were two of his helpers. Paul sent them ahead to Macedonia. But he stayed in Asia for a while.
Trouble in Ephesus
23 But during that time there was some trouble in Ephesus about the Way. This is how it all happened: 24 There was a man named Demetrius. He worked with silver. He made little silver models that looked like the temple of the goddess Artemis. The men who did this work made a lot of money.
25 Demetrius had a meeting with these men and some others who did the same kind of work. He told them, “Men, you know that we make a lot of money from our business. 26 But look at what this man Paul is doing. Listen to what he is saying. He has convinced many people in Ephesus and all over Asia to change their religion. He says the gods that people make by hand are not real. 27 I’m afraid this is going to turn people against our business. But there is also another problem. People will begin to think that the temple of the great goddess Artemis is not important. Her greatness will be destroyed. And Artemis is the goddess that everyone in Asia and the whole world worships.”
28 When the men heard this, they became very angry. They shouted, “Great is Artemis, the goddess of Ephesus!” 29 The whole city was thrown into confusion. The people grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus, men from Macedonia who were traveling with Paul, and rushed all together into the stadium. 30 Paul wanted to go in and talk to the people, but the Lord’s followers did not let him go. 31 Also, some leaders of the country who were friends of Paul sent him a message telling him not to go into the stadium.
32 Some people were shouting one thing and others were shouting something else. The meeting was very confused. Most of the people did not know why they had come there. 33 Some Jews made a man named Alexander stand before the crowd, and they told him what to say. Alexander waved his hand, trying to explain things to the people. 34 But when the people saw that Alexander was a Jew, they all began shouting the same thing. For two hours they continued shouting, “Great is Artemis of Ephesus! Great is Artemis of Ephesus! Great is Artemis …!”
35 Then the city clerk persuaded the people to be quiet. He said, “Men of Ephesus, everyone knows that Ephesus is the city that keeps the temple of the great goddess Artemis. Everyone knows that we also keep her holy rock.[b] 36 No one can deny this, so you should be quiet. You must stop and think before you do anything else.
37 “You brought these men[c] here, but they have not said anything bad against our goddess. They have not stolen anything from her temple. 38 We have courts of law and there are judges. Do Demetrius and those men who work with him have a charge against anyone? They should go to the courts. Let them argue with each other there.
39 “Is there something else you want to talk about? Then come to the regular town meeting of the people. It can be decided there. 40 I say this because someone might see this trouble today and say we are rioting. We could not explain all this trouble, because there is no real reason for this meeting.” 41 After the city clerk said this, he told the people to go home.
Footnotes
- Acts 19:19 silver coins Probably Greek drachmas. One coin was worth the average pay for one day’s work.
- Acts 19:35 holy rock Probably a meteorite or rock that the people thought looked like Artemis and worshiped.
- Acts 19:37 men Gaius and Aristarchus, the men traveling with Paul.
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