Acts 19:21-41
Review
Background:
Text:
A Riot at Ephesus
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen.
19:22 Timothy and Erastus. Presumably, Paul sends these helpers to Macedonia to motivate and organize the Gentile churches’ offering for needy believers in Jerusalem and Judea, as he sent Titus and another trusted brother to Corinth in Achaia for this purpose (2 Cor. 8:1–6, 16–24).
19:24 Demetrius, a silversmith. An important guild of silversmiths developed at Ephesus on account of the large numbers of religious pilgrims. The pilgrims came to worship the goddess Diana (Artemis in Greek) who was portrayed by a famous statue at Ephesus as a fertility goddess. Her “image” that had fallen “from the sky” (v. 35) was probably a meteorite that the people had begun to worship. The temple of Artemis was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Not only was it the destination of religious pilgrimage, but it was a banking depository as well. Making silver shrines and images of the goddess was a trade important to the city’s economic well-being.
Demetrius and other silversmiths are alarmed by Paul’s persuasive words against idolatry not only because it threatens “this trade of ours” but also because it challenges the reputation of the goddess, her world-famous temple, and the city of Ephesus
25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
But one should not miss the real point of Demetrius’s opposition. It was not his piety that was offended but his pocketbook. For Paul to hold his sessions in the hall of Tyrannus was one thing. People could listen to his teachings all they wanted. But when those teachings began to have ramifications for the town economy, that was quite another matter.
28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
19:32 assembly. The Greek word ekklēsia is used here and in vv. 39 and 41 to denote a secular civic assembly of people, where legal decisions are made concerning the management of the city (5:11 note).
35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
19:37 neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. According to the first-century Jewish historian Josephus, these were common charges of Gentiles against Jews and Jewish Christians. If “sacrilegious” is construed literally as “temple robbers,” the town clerk is correct to claim that Paul and his team cannot be charged with this crime. On the other hand, in view of Paul’s remarks about idols in Athens (17:24, 25, 29), he may well have said things about Artemis and her glorious temple that her devotees would consider blasphemous. Luke records the official’s placating words without endorsing their accuracy, showing that the gospel’s opponents, not its advocates, have been responsible for the civil disruptions, the violations of Roman law and order, that have accompanied the gospel’s dissemination (cf. 16:19–24, 36–39; 18:12–17).