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23 At[a] that time[b] a great disturbance[c] took place concerning the Way.[d] 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines[e] of Artemis,[f] brought a great deal[g] of business[h] to the craftsmen. 25 He gathered[i] these[j] together, along with the workmen in similar trades,[k] and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity[l] comes from this business. 26 And you see and hear that this Paul has persuaded[m] and turned away[n] a large crowd,[o] not only in Ephesus but in practically all of the province of Asia,[p] by saying[q] that gods made by hands are not gods at all.[r] 27 There is danger not only that this business of ours will come into disrepute,[s] but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis[t] will be regarded as nothing,[u] and she whom all the province of Asia[v] and the world worship will suffer the loss of her greatness.”[w]

28 When[x] they heard[y] this they became enraged[z] and began to shout,[aa] “Great is Artemis[ab] of the Ephesians!” 29 The[ac] city was filled with the uproar,[ad] and the crowd[ae] rushed to the theater[af] together,[ag] dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. 30 But when Paul wanted to enter the public assembly,[ah] the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the provincial authorities[ai] who were his friends sent[aj] a message[ak] to him, urging him not to venture[al] into the theater. 32 So then some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had met together.[am] 33 Some of the crowd concluded[an] it was about[ao] Alexander because the Jews had pushed him to the front.[ap] Alexander, gesturing[aq] with his hand, was wanting to make a defense[ar] before the public assembly.[as] 34 But when they recognized[at] that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison,[au] “Great is Artemis[av] of the Ephesians!” for about two hours.[aw] 35 After the city secretary[ax] quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what person[ay] is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the keeper[az] of the temple of the great Artemis[ba] and of her image that fell from heaven?[bb] 36 So because these facts[bc] are indisputable,[bd] you must keep quiet[be] and not do anything reckless.[bf] 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers[bg] nor blasphemers of our goddess.[bh] 38 If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint[bi] against someone, the courts are open[bj] and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another there.[bk] 39 But if you want anything in addition,[bl] it will have to be settled[bm] in a legal assembly.[bn] 40 For[bo] we are in danger of being charged with rioting[bp] today, since there is no cause we can give to explain[bq] this disorderly gathering.”[br] 41 After[bs] he had said[bt] this,[bu] he dismissed the assembly.[bv]

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 19:23 tn Grk “There happened at that time.” The introductory phrase ἐγένετο (egeneto, “it happened that”), common in Luke (69 times) and Acts (54 times), is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated. Instead the verb “took place” has been supplied in the translation.
  2. Acts 19:23 tn BDAG 512 s.v. κατά B.2.a, “in definite indications of time…Of the past: κ. ἐκεῖνον τὸν καιρόν at that time, thenAc 12:1; 19:23.”
  3. Acts 19:23 tn Grk “no little disturbance” (an idiom; see BDAG 991 s.v. τάραχος 2).
  4. Acts 19:23 sn The Way refers to the Christian movement (Christianity).
  5. Acts 19:24 tn BDAG 665 s.v. ναός 1.a states, “Specif. of temples: of replicas of the temple of Artemis at Ephesus 19:24…but here, near ἱερόν vs. 27ναός can be understood in the more restricted sense shrine, where the image of the goddess stood.”
  6. Acts 19:24 sn Artemis was the name of a Greek goddess worshiped particularly in Asia Minor, whose temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was located just outside the city of Ephesus.
  7. Acts 19:24 tn Grk “brought not a little business” (an idiom).
  8. Acts 19:24 sn A great deal of business. The charge that Christianity brought economic and/or social upheaval was made a number of times in Acts: 16:20-21; 17:6-7; 18:13.
  9. Acts 19:25 tn Grk “gathering.” The participle συναθροίσας (sunathroisas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  10. Acts 19:25 tn Grk “whom”; because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) has been replaced with a pronoun (“these”) and a new sentence begun in the translation.
  11. Acts 19:25 sn Workmen in similar trades. In effect, Demetrius gathered the Ephesian chamber of commerce together to hear about the threat to their prosperity.
  12. Acts 19:25 tn Another possible meaning is “that this business is an easy way for us to earn a living.”
  13. Acts 19:26 tn Grk “persuading.” The participle πείσας (peisas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  14. Acts 19:26 tn Or “misled.”
  15. Acts 19:26 tn BDAG 472 s.v. ἱκανός 3.a has “of pers. ὄχλος a large crowdAc 11:24, 26; 19:26.”
  16. Acts 19:26 tn Grk “Asia”; see the note on this word in v. 22.
  17. Acts 19:26 tn The participle λέγων (legōn) has been regarded as indicating instrumentality.
  18. Acts 19:26 tn The words “at all” are not in the Greek text but are implied.sn Gods made by hands are not gods at all. Paul preached against paganism’s idolatry. Here is a one-line summary of a speech like that in Acts 17:22-31.
  19. Acts 19:27 tn Or “come under public criticism.” BDAG 101 s.v. ἀπελεγμός has “come into disrepute Ac 19:27.”
  20. Acts 19:27 sn Artemis was the name of a Greek goddess worshiped particularly in Asia Minor, whose temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was located just outside the city of Ephesus.
  21. Acts 19:27 tn BDAG 597 s.v. λογίζομαι 1.b has “εἰς οὐθὲν λογισθῆναι be looked upon as nothingAc 19:27.”
  22. Acts 19:27 tn Grk “Asia”; see the note on this word in v. 22.
  23. Acts 19:27 tn Or “her magnificence.” BDAG 488 s.v. καθαιρέω 2.b has “καθαιρεῖσθαι τῆς μεγαλειότητος αὐτῆς suffer the loss of her magnificence Ac 19:27”; L&N 13.38 has “‘and to have her greatness done away with’ Ac 19:27.”sn Suffer the loss of her greatness. It is important to appreciate that money alone was not the issue, even for the pagan Ephesians. The issue was ultimately the dishonor of their goddess to whom they were devoted in worship. The battle was a “cosmic” one between deities.
  24. Acts 19:28 tn Grk “And when.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  25. Acts 19:28 tn Grk “And hearing.” The participle ἀκούσαντες (akousantes) has been taken temporally.
  26. Acts 19:28 tn Grk “they became filled with rage” (an idiom). The reaction of the Ephesians here is like that of the Jews earlier (Acts 7:54).
  27. Acts 19:28 tn Grk “and began shouting, saying.” The imperfect verb ἔκραζον (ekrazon) has been translated as an ingressive imperfect. The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in English and has not been translated.
  28. Acts 19:28 sn Artemis was a Greek goddess worshiped particularly in Asia Minor, whose temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was located just outside the city of Ephesus.
  29. Acts 19:29 tn Grk “And the.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  30. Acts 19:29 tn L&N 39.43 has “‘the uproar spread throughout the whole city’ (literally ‘the city was filled with uproar’) Ac 19:29.” BDAG 954 s.v. σύγχυσις has “confusion, tumult.”
  31. Acts 19:29 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the crowd) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  32. Acts 19:29 sn To the theater. This location made the event a public spectacle. The Grand Theater in Ephesus (still standing today) stood facing down the main thoroughfare of the city toward the docks. It had a seating capacity of 25,000.
  33. Acts 19:29 tn Grk “to the theater with one accord.”
  34. Acts 19:30 tn Or “enter the crowd.” According to BDAG 223 s.v. δῆμος 2, “in a Hellenistic city, a convocation of citizens called together for the purpose of transacting official business, popular assemblyεἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὸν δ. go into the assembly 19:30.”
  35. Acts 19:31 tn Grk “Asiarchs” (high-ranking officials of the province of Asia).
  36. Acts 19:31 tn Grk “sending”; the participle πέμψαντες (pempsantes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  37. Acts 19:31 tn The words “a message” are not in the Greek text but are implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
  38. Acts 19:31 tn BDAG 242-43 s.v. δίδωμι 11 has “to cause (oneself) to go, go, venture somewhere (cp. our older ‘betake oneself’)…Ac 19:31.” The desire of these sympathetic authorities was surely to protect Paul’s life. The detail indicates how dangerous things had become.
  39. Acts 19:32 tn Or “had assembled.”
  40. Acts 19:33 tn Or “Some of the crowd gave instructions to.”
  41. Acts 19:33 tn The words “it was about” are not in the Greek text but are implied; ᾿Αλέξανδρον (Alexandron) is taken to be an accusative of general reference.
  42. Acts 19:33 tn BDAG 865 s.v. προβάλλω 1 has “to cause to come forward, put forwardτινά someone…push someone forward to speak in the theater…Ac 19:33.”
  43. Acts 19:33 tn Or “motioning.”
  44. Acts 19:33 sn The nature of Alexander’s defense is not clear. It appears he was going to explain, as a Jew, that the problem was not caused by Jews, but by those of “the Way.” However, he never got a chance to speak.
  45. Acts 19:33 tn Or “before the crowd.” According to BDAG 223 s.v. δῆμος 2, “in a Hellenistic city, a convocation of citizens called together for the purpose of transacting official business, popular assemblyἀπολογεῖσθαι τῷ δ. make a defense before the assembly vs. 33.”
  46. Acts 19:34 tn Grk “But recognizing.” The participle ἐπιγνόντες (epignontes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  47. Acts 19:34 tn Grk “[they shouted] with one voice from all of them” (an idiom).
  48. Acts 19:34 sn Artemis was a Greek goddess worshiped particularly in Asia Minor, whose temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was located just outside the city of Ephesus, 1.25 mi (2 km) northeast of the Grand Theater. Dimensions were 418 ft by 239 ft (125 m by 72 m) for the platform; the temple proper was 377 ft by 180 ft (113 m by 54 m). The roof was supported by 117 columns, each 60 ft (18 m) high by 6 ft (1.8 m) in diameter. The Emperor Justinian of Byzantium later took these columns for use in construction of the Hagia Sophia, where they still exist (in modern day Istanbul).
  49. Acts 19:34 sn They all shouted…for about two hours. The extent of the tumult shows the racial and social tensions of a cosmopolitan city like Ephesus, indicating what the Christians in such locations had to face.
  50. Acts 19:35 tn Or “clerk.” The “scribe” (γραμματεύς, grammateus) was the keeper of the city’s records.
  51. Acts 19:35 tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos).
  52. Acts 19:35 tn See BDAG 670 s.v. νεωκόρος. The city is described as the “warden” or “guardian” of the goddess and her temple.
  53. Acts 19:35 sn Artemis was a Greek goddess worshiped particularly in Asia Minor, whose temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was located just outside the city of Ephesus.
  54. Acts 19:35 tn Or “from the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).sn The expression fell from heaven adds a note of apologetic about the heavenly origin of the goddess. The city’s identity and well-being was wrapped up with this connection, in their view. Many interpreters view her image that fell from heaven as a stone meteorite regarded as a sacred object.
  55. Acts 19:36 tn Grk “these things.”
  56. Acts 19:36 tn The genitive absolute construction with the participle ὄντων (ontōn) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle. On the term translated “indisputable” see BDAG 68-69 s.v. ἀναντίρρητος which has “not to be contradicted, undeniable.”
  57. Acts 19:36 tn Grk “it is necessary that you be quiet.”
  58. Acts 19:36 tn L&N 88.98 has “pertaining to impetuous and reckless behavior—‘reckless, impetuous.’…‘so then, you must calm down and not do anything reckless’ Ac 19:36.” The city secretary was asking that order be restored.
  59. Acts 19:37 tn Or perhaps, “desecrators of temples.”
  60. Acts 19:37 sn Nor blasphemers of our goddess. There was no formal crime with which Paul could be charged. He had the right to his religion as long as he did not act physically against the temple. Since no overt act had taken place, the official wanted the community to maintain the status quo on these religious matters. The remarks suggest Paul was innocent of any civil crime.
  61. Acts 19:38 tn BDAG 600 s.v. λόγος 1.a.ε has “ἔχειν πρός τινα λόγον have a complaint against someone…19:38.”
  62. Acts 19:38 tn L&N 56.1 has ‘if Demetrius and his workers have an accusation against someone, the courts are open’ Ac 19:38.”
  63. Acts 19:38 tn The word “there” is not in the Greek text but is implied. The official’s request is that the legal system be respected.
  64. Acts 19:39 tn Or “anything more than this.”
  65. Acts 19:39 tn Or “resolved.”
  66. Acts 19:39 tn Or “in a legal meeting of the citizens.” L&N 30.81 has “ἐν τῇ ἐννόμῳ ἐκκλησίᾳ ἐπιλυθήσεται ‘it will have to be settled in a legal meeting of the citizens’ Ac 19:39.” This meeting took place three times a year.
  67. Acts 19:40 tn Grk “For indeed.” The ascensive force of καί (kai) would be awkward to translate here.
  68. Acts 19:40 tn The term translated “rioting” refers to a revolt or uprising (BDAG 940 s.v. στάσις 2, 3). This would threaten Roman rule and invite Roman intervention.
  69. Acts 19:40 tn Or “to account for.” Grk “since there is no cause concerning which we can give account concerning this disorderly gathering.” The complexity of the Greek relative clause (“which”) and the multiple prepositions (“concerning”) have been simplified in the translation consistent with contemporary English style.
  70. Acts 19:40 tn Or “commotion.” BDAG 979 s.v. συστροφή 1 gives the meaning “a tumultuous gathering of people, disorderly/seditious gathering or commotionAc 19:40.”
  71. Acts 19:41 tn Grk “And after.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
  72. Acts 19:41 tn Grk “And saying.” The participle εἰπών (eipōn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  73. Acts 19:41 tn Grk “these things.”
  74. Acts 19:41 sn Verse 41 in the English text is included as part of verse 40 in the standard critical editions of the Greek NT.

23 Now there happened at that time no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For someone named[a] Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver replicas of the temple of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These[b] he gathered together, and the workers occupied with such things, and[c] said, “Men, you know that from this business we get our prosperity,[d] 26 and you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia[e] this man Paul has persuaded and[f] turned away a large crowd by[g] 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[h] and the entire world worship!”

28 And when they[i] heard this[j] and became full of rage, they began to shout,[k] 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[l] Paul wanted to enter into the popular assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs[m] who were his friends sent word[n] to him and[o] were urging him[p] not to risk himself by going into the theater. 32 So some were shouting one thing[q] and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority did not know why[r] they had assembled. 33 And some of the crowd advised[s] Alexander, when[t] the Jews put him forward. But Alexander, motioning with his[u] hand, was wanting to defend himself to the popular assembly. 34 But when they[v] 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[w] 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[x] image fallen from heaven? 36 Therefore because[y] 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[z] is no cause in relation to which we will be able to give an account concerning this disorderly gathering!” And when he[aa] had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.[ab]

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 19:24 Literally “by name”
  2. Acts 19:25 Literally “whom”
  3. Acts 19:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“gathered together”) has been translated as a finite verb
  4. Acts 19:25 Literally “prosperity is to us”
  5. Acts 19:26 A reference to the Roman province of Asia (modern Asia Minor)
  6. Acts 19:26 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“has persuaded”) has been translated as a finite verb
  7. Acts 19:26 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saying”) which is understood as means
  8. Acts 19:27 A reference to the Roman province of Asia (modern Asia Minor)
  9. Acts 19:28 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  10. Acts 19:28 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  11. Acts 19:28 *The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to shout”)
  12. Acts 19:30 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“wanted”)
  13. Acts 19:31 Or “provincial authorities”
  14. Acts 19:31 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  15. Acts 19:31 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sent”) has been translated as a finite verb
  16. Acts 19:31 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  17. Acts 19:32 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  18. Acts 19:32 Literally “on account of what”
  19. Acts 19:33 Or “concluded it was about
  20. Acts 19:33 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“put … forward”)
  21. Acts 19:33 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  22. Acts 19:34 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“recognized”) which is understood as temporal
  23. Acts 19:35 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had quieted”) which is understood as temporal
  24. Acts 19:35 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  25. Acts 19:36 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“are”)
  26. Acts 19:40 Here “since” is supplied as a component of the causal genitive absolute participle (“is”)
  27. Acts 19:40 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had said”) which is understood as temporal
  28. Acts 19:40 Verse 41 in the English Bible is included as part of v. 40 in the standard editions of the Greek text