Acts 19
Christian Standard Bible
Twelve Disciples of John the Baptist
19 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples(A) 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (B)
“No,” they told him, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”(C)
3 “Into what then were you baptized?” he asked them.
“Into John’s baptism,” they replied.(D)
4 Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance,(E) telling the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”(F)
5 When they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on(G) them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in tongues[a] and to prophesy.(H) 7 Now there were about twelve men in all.
In the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus
8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly over a period of three months, arguing and persuading them about the kingdom of God.(I) 9 But when some became hardened and would not believe, slandering the Way in front of the crowd, he withdrew from them, taking the disciples, and conducted discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.(J) 10 This went on for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks,(K) heard the word of the Lord.(L)
Demonism Defeated at Ephesus
11 God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, 12 so that even facecloths or aprons[b] that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.(M)
13 Now some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!” (N) 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this. 15 The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul—but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded. 17 When this became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, they became afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus(O) was held in high esteem.(P)
18 And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices, 19 while many of those who had practiced magic(Q) collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. So they calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread and prevailed.(R)
The Riot in Ephesus
21 After these events, Paul resolved by the Spirit[c] to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. “After I’ve been there,” he said, “It is necessary for me to see Rome as well.”(S) 22 After sending to Macedonia two of those who assisted him, Timothy and Erastus,(T) he himself stayed in Asia for a while.(U)
23 About that time there was a major disturbance about the Way.(V) 24 For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen. 25 When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said, “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business. 26 You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods.(W) 27 Not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin—the very one all of Asia and the world worship.”
28 When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius(X) and Aristarchus,(Y) Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. 30 Although Paul wanted to go in before the people, the disciples did not let him. 31 Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to venture[d] into the amphitheater. 32 Some were shouting one thing and some another,(Z) because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some Jews in the crowd gave instructions to Alexander[e] after they pushed him to the front. Motioning with his hand, Alexander wanted to make his defense to the people.(AA) 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 When the city clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said, “People of Ephesus! What person is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great[f] Artemis, and of the image that fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these things are undeniable, you must keep calm and not do anything rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are not temple robbers or blasphemers of our[g] goddess. 38 So if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against anyone, the courts are in session, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.(AB) 39 But if you seek anything further, it must be decided in a legal assembly. 40 In fact, we run a risk of being charged with rioting(AC) for what happened today, since there is no justification that we can give as a reason for this disturbance.” 41 After saying this, he dismissed the assembly.
Acts 19
Lexham English Bible
Paul Finds Disciples of John the Baptist in Ephesus
19 And it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the inland regions and[a] came[b] to Ephesus and found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you[c] believed?” And they said to him, “But we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit!” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into the baptism of John.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the one who was to come after him—that is, in Jesus.” 5 And when they[d] heard this,[e] they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when[f] Paul laid hands[g] on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak[h] in tongues and to prophesy. 7 (Now the total number of men was about twelve.)
8 So he entered into the synagogue and[i] was speaking boldly for three months, discussing and attempting to convince[j] them[k] concerning[l] the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became hardened and were disobedient, reviling the Way before the congregation, he departed from them and[m] took away the disciples, leading discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 And this took place for two years, so that all who lived in Asia[n] heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Would-be Exorcists
11 And God was performing extraordinary[o] miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or work aprons that had touched his skin[p] were carried away to those who were sick, and their[q] diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.[r] 13 But some itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches!” 14 (Now seven sons of a certain Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.) 15 But the evil spirit answered and[s] said to them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with, but who are you?” 16 And the man who had the evil spirit[t] leaped on them, subdued all of them, and[u] prevailed against them, so that they ran away from that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was exalted. 18 And many of those who had believed came, confessing and disclosing their practices, 19 and many of those who practiced magic brought together their[v] books and[w] burned them[x] up in the sight of everyone. And they counted up their value and found it was fifty thousand silver coins.[y] 20 In this way the word of the Lord was growing in power and was prevailing.
A Major Riot in Ephesus
21 Now when these things were completed, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, it is necessary for me to see Rome also.” 22 So after[z] sending two of those who were assisting him, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, he himself stayed some time in Asia.[aa]
23 Now there happened at that time no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For someone named[ab] Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver replicas of the temple of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These[ac] he gathered together, and the workers occupied with such things, and[ad] said, “Men, you know that from this business we get our prosperity,[ae] 26 and you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia[af] this man Paul has persuaded and[ag] turned away a large crowd by[ah] saying that the gods made by hands are not gods. 27 So not only is there a danger this line of business of ours will come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be regarded as nothing—and she is about to be brought down even from her grandeur, she whom the whole of Asia[ai] and the entire world worship!”
28 And when they[aj] heard this[ak] and became full of rage, they began to shout,[al] saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 And the city was filled with the tumult, and with one purpose they rushed into the theater, seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were traveling companions of Paul. 30 But when[am] Paul wanted to enter into the popular assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs[an] who were his friends sent word[ao] to him and[ap] were urging him[aq] not to risk himself by going into the theater. 32 So some were shouting one thing[ar] and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority did not know why[as] they had assembled. 33 And some of the crowd advised[at] Alexander, when[au] the Jews put him forward. But Alexander, motioning with his[av] hand, was wanting to defend himself to the popular assembly. 34 But when they[aw] recognized that he was a Jew, they were shouting with one voice from all of them for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 And when[ax] the city secretary had quieted the crowd, he said, “Ephesian men, for who is there among men who does not know the Ephesian city is honorary temple keeper of the great Artemis and of her[ay] image fallen from heaven? 36 Therefore because[az] these things are undeniable, it is necessary that you be quiet and do nothing rash! 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against anyone, the court days are observed and there are proconsuls—let them bring charges against one another! 39 But if you desire anything further, it will be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused of rioting concerning today, since there[ba] is no cause in relation to which we will be able to give an account concerning this disorderly gathering!” And when he[bb] had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.[bc]
Footnotes
- Acts 19:1 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“traveled through”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 19:1 Some manuscripts have “and came down”
- Acts 19:2 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“believed”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 19:5 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 19:5 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 19:6 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“laid”)
- Acts 19:6 Some manuscripts have “placed his hands”
- Acts 19:6 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to speak”)
- Acts 19:8 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“entered”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 19:8 The present tense participle has been translated as a conative present (“attempting to convince”)
- Acts 19:8 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 19:8 Some manuscripts have “of the things concerning”
- Acts 19:9 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“departed”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 19:10 A reference to the Roman province of Asia (modern Asia Minor)
- Acts 19:11 Literally “not the ordinary”
- Acts 19:12 Literally “from his skin”
- Acts 19:12 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Acts 19:12 *The words “of them” are not in the Greek text but are implied
- Acts 19:15 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 19:16 Literally “in whom the evil spirit was”
- Acts 19:16 Here “and” is supplied because the two previous participles (“leaped” and “subdued”) have been translated as finite verbs
- Acts 19:19 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Acts 19:19 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“brought together”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 19:19 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 19:19 Literally “five ten thousands of silver coins”
- Acts 19:22 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“sending”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 19:22 A reference to the Roman province of Asia (modern Asia Minor)
- Acts 19:24 Literally “by name”
- Acts 19:25 Literally “whom”
- Acts 19:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“gathered together”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 19:25 Literally “prosperity is to us”
- Acts 19:26 A reference to the Roman province of Asia (modern Asia Minor)
- Acts 19:26 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“has persuaded”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 19:26 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saying”) which is understood as means
- Acts 19:27 A reference to the Roman province of Asia (modern Asia Minor)
- Acts 19:28 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 19:28 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 19:28 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to shout”)
- Acts 19:30 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“wanted”)
- Acts 19:31 Or “provincial authorities”
- Acts 19:31 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 19:31 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sent”) has been translated as a finite verb
- Acts 19:31 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 19:32 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
- Acts 19:32 Literally “on account of what”
- Acts 19:33 Or “concluded it was about”
- Acts 19:33 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“put … forward”)
- Acts 19:33 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Acts 19:34 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“recognized”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 19:35 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had quieted”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 19:35 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
- Acts 19:36 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“are”)
- Acts 19:40 Here “since” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“is”)
- Acts 19:40 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had said”) which is understood as temporal
- Acts 19:40 Verse 41 in the English Bible is included as part of v. 40 in the standard editions of the Greek text
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
2012 by Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software