23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. |
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; |
25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. |
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: |
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. |
28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. |
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. |
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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? |
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. |
37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. |
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. |
39 But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. |
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. |
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. |
19
19:24 Silver shrines - Silver models of that famous temple, which were bought not only by the citizens, but by strangers from all parts. The artificers - The other silversmiths.
19:25 The workmen - Employed by him and them.
19:26 Saying, that they are not gods which are made with hands - This manifestly shows, that the contrary opinion did then generally prevail, namely, that there was a real Divinity in their sacred images. Though some of the later heathens spoke of them just as the Romanists do now.
19:27 There is danger, not only that this our craft [trade] should come into disgrace, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised - No wonder a discourse should make so deep an impression, which was edged both by interest and superstition. The great goddess was one of the standing titles of Diana. Her majesty destroyed - Miserable majesty, which was capable of being thus destroyed! Whom all Asia and the world - That is, the Roman empire, worshippeth - Although under a greatvariety of titles and characters. But the multitude of those that err does not turn error into truth.
19:29 They rushed with one accord - Demetrius and his company, into the theatre - Where criminals were wont to be thrown to the wild beasts, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus - When they could not find Paul. Probably they hoped to oblige them to fight with the wild beasts, as some think St. Paul had done before.
19:30 When Paul would have gone in to the people - Being above all fear, to plead the cause of his companions, and prove they are not gods which are made with hands.
19:31 The principal officers of Asia - The Asian priests, who presided over the public games, which they were then celebrating in honour of Diana.
19:32 The greater part did not know for what they were come together - Which is commonly the case in such an assembly.
19:33 And they thrust forward - Namely, the artificers and workmen, Alexander - Probably some well - known Christian whom they saw in the crowd: the Jews pushing him on - To expose him to the more danger. And Alexander waving with his hand - In token of desiring silence, would have made a defence - For himself and his brethren.
19:34 But when they knew that he was a Jew - And consequently an enemy to their worship of images; they prevented him, by crying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
19:35 The register - Probably the chief governor of the public games.The image which fell down from Jupiter - They believed that very image of Diana, which stood in her temple, fell down from Jupiter in heaven. Perhaps he designed to insinuate, as if falling down from Jupiter, it was not made with hands, and so was not that sort of idols which Paul had said were no gods.
19:37 Nor blasphemers of your goddess - They simply declared the one God, and the vanity of idols in general.
19:38 There are proconsuls - One in every province. There was one at Ephesus.
19:39 In a lawful assembly - In such a regular assembly as has authority to judge of religious and political affairs.
19:40 This concourse - He wisely calls it by an inoffensive name.