The Riot in Ephesus
Act 19:23 Now there arose during that time a serious disturbance concerning the Way.
Act 19:24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, providing no little trade for the craftsmen,
Act 19:25 whom he gathered, with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know out of this trade is our prosperity.
Act 19:26 And you observe and hear that not only at Ephesus, but almost in all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great multitude, saying that they are not gods which are made by human hands.
Act 19:27 And not only is this business of ours in danger to come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and also her magnificence, about to be destroyed, she whom all Asia and the world worship."
1 A serious disturbance concerning the Way. (No small disturbance ; or a Great commotion)
No small stir - No little excitement, disturbance, or tumult τάραχος tarachos. Compare Act_17:4-5. “About that way.” Respecting the doctrines of Christianity which Paul preached. See the notes on Act_9:2; Act_18:26; Act_19:9.
2. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, providing no little trade for the craftsmen,
A silversmith - The word used here denotes “one who works in silver” in any way, either in making money, in stamping silver, or in forming utensils from it. It is probable that the employment of this man was confined to the business here specified, that of making shrines, as his complaint Acts . Act_19:26-27 implied that destroying this would be sufficient to throw them out of all employment.
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| The Silversmiths Rioting |
3. Worship of the goddess Artemis
Act 19:26 And you observe and hear that not only at Ephesus, but almost in all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great multitude, saying that they are not gods which are made by human hands.
Act 19:27 And not only is this business of ours in danger to come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and also her magnificence, about to be destroyed, she whom all Asia and the world worship."
this fellow Paul has led away a vast number of people by inducing them to believe that they are not gods at all that are made by men's hands. WNT
We have here the noble testimony of a pagan to the zeal and success of the ministry of Paul. It is an acknowledgment that his labors had been most strikingly successful in turning the people from idolatry.
Saying that they be no gods ... - See the notes on Act_14:14-15. See Exo 20:2 I am Jehovah your God, who has brought you out from the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Exo 20:3 You shall not have any other gods before Me.
Exo 20:4 You shall not make a graven image for yourself, or any likeness in the heavens above, or in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth;
Exo 20:5 you shall not bow to them, and you shall not serve them; for I am Jehovah your God, a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of fathers on sons, on the third and on the fourth generation, to those that hate Me;
Exo 20:6 and doing kindness to thousands, to those loving Me, and to those keeping My commandments.
4. They expressed their anger with a loud tumult
Act 19:28 And having heard, and having become full of anger, they cried out, saying, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!
Act 19:29 And all the city was filled with confusion. And they rushed with one passion into the theater, keeping a firm grip on Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, traveling companions of Paul.
Act 19:30 And Paul intending to go in to the mob, the disciples did not allow him.
Act 19:31 And also some of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sending to him begged him not to give himself into the theater.
| The Ephesian Amphitheatre |
5. They cried out, saying, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!
For the workmen that made the silver shrines very likely ran up and down in the city, crying out, greater the mob gathering and increasing, as they went along, threw the whole city into confusion and disorder: J. Gill
6. The Jew named Alexander tried to make a defense before the People .Vv.32-34
7. The City Clerk makes the crowd see reason. Vv. 35 -41
Applications.
Paul was having great success in the Gospel Outreach in Ephesus.
Thousands had turned from Idols to serve the Living God. They had abandonned the Worship of Diana or Artemis. That evil many-breasted god of th Ephesians.
When people lose money from an illicit trade watch out for the backlash.
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