*Acts 19:21-41
A riot breaks out in Ephesus after Paul’s preaching against idolatry disrupts the business of idol-makers.
- Paul’s Future Plans:
- After these events, Paul decides to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. He plans to visit Rome afterward.
- He sends two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia while he stays in the province of Asia for a while longer.
- Riot in Ephesus:
- During Paul’s stay, a significant disturbance arises concerning the Way.
- A silversmith named Demetrius, who makes silver shrines of Artemis, gathers his fellow craftsmen. He warns them that their trade is in danger from Paul’s teachings, which turn people away from the gods and claim that handmade gods are not gods at all.
- Demetrius stirs up the craftsmen, leading to widespread anger and chanting of, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
- Escalation of the Riot:
- The commotion spreads, and soon the whole city is in an uproar.
- The mob seizes Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushes as one into the theater.
- Paul wants to appear before the crowd, but his friends and some local officials discourage him because the situation is too dangerous.
- Confusion During the Riot:
- Inside the theater, confusion reigns. Some shout one thing, some another; most do not even know why they have gathered.
- Jews push Alexander forward to explain, hoping he can defend their position, but when he tries to speak, the crowd shouts him down for about two hours with the chant for Artemis.
- Restoration of Order:
- The city clerk finally quiets the crowd and states that Ephesus is well known as the guardian of the temple of Artemis, and her magnificence is undeniable.
- He points out that the accused men have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed the goddess, and if Demetrius and his craftsmen have grievances, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls to hear the case.
- He warns against the dangers of rioting and the possible repercussions from Rome for such disorder.
- The clerk dismisses the assembly, restoring calm and order to the city.
19:21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.
19:22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
19:23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
19:24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 19:25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
19:26 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 they be no gods, which are made with hands: 19:27 So that not only this our 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.
19:28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
19:29 And the whole 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.
19:30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
19:31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
19:32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
19:33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
19:34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
19:35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? 19:36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.
19:37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
19:38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
19:39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
19:40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
19:41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.