Back to Acts 19

Acts 19:29-41

The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel. When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him. Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together. They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people. But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another. But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly. For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.” When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

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When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel. When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him. Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together. They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people. But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another. But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly. For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.” When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel.

    When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him.

    Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.

    Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together.

    They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.

    But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

    When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?

    Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rash.

    For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.

    If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another.

    But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly.

    For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.”

    When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    And all the cite was on a roore and they russhed in to the comen hall with one assent and caught Gayus and Aristarcus men of Macedonia Pauls companions.

    When Paul wolde have entred in vnto the people the disciples suffered him not.

    Certayne also of the chefe of Asia which were his frendes sent vnto him desyrynge him that he wolde not preace into the comen hall.

    Some cryed one thinge and some another and the congregacion was all out of quiet and the moare parte knewe not wherfore they were come togeder.

    Some of the company drue forth Alexander the Iewes thrustynge him forwardes. Alexander beckened with the honde and wolde have geven the people an answer.

    When they knewe that he was a Iewe ther arose a shoute almost for the space of two houres of all men cryinge greate is Diana of the Ephesians.

    When the toune clarcke had ceased the people he sayd: ye men of Ephesus what man is it that knoweth not how that the cite of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddas Diana and of the ymage which came from heven.

    Seinge then that no man sayth here agaynst ye ought to be content and to do nothinge rasshly:

    For ye have brought hyther these me whiche are nether robbers of churches nor yet despisers of youre goddes.

    Wherfore yf Demetrius and the craftes men which are with him have eny sayinge to eny man the lawe is open and ther are ruelars let the accuse one another.

    Yf ye goo about eny other thinge it maye be determined in a lawfull congregacion

    For we are in ieoperdy to be accused of this dayes busines: for as moche as ther is no cause wherby we maye geve a rekenynge of this concourse of people.

    And when he had thus spoken he let the congregacion departe.

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    And the whole citie was full of confusion, and they rushed into the common place with one assent, and caught Gaius, and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, and Pauls companions of his iourney.

    And when Paul would haue entred in vnto the people, the disciples suffred him not.

    Certaine also of the chiefe of Asia which were his friendes, sent vnto him, desiring him that hee woulde not present him selfe in the Common place.

    Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assemblie was out of order, and the more part knewe not wherefore they were come together.

    And some of the company drew foorth Alexander, the Iewes thrusting him forwards. Alexander then beckened with the hande, and woulde haue excused the matter to the people.

    But when they knew that he was a Iewe, there arose a shoute almost for the space of two houres, of all men crying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

    Then the towne clearke when hee had stayed the people, saide, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is it that knoweth not howe that the citie of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddesse Diana, and of the image, which came downe from Iupiter?

    Seeing then that no man can speake against these things, ye ought to be appeased, and to doe nothing rashly.

    For yee haue brought hither these men, which haue neither committed sacrilege, neither doe blaspheme your goddesse.

    Wherefore, if Demetrius and the craftes men which are with him, haue a matter against any man, the lawe is open, and there are Deputies: let them accuse one another.

    But if ye inquire any thing cocerning other matters, it may be determined in a lawful assembly.

    For we are euen in ieopardie to be accused of this dayes sedition, for as much as there is no cause, whereby we may giue a reason of this concourse of people.

    And when he had thus spoken, hee let the assembly depart.

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Cross-references (72)

  • Acts 20:4 (v29) These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and…
  • Acts 21:34 (v32) Some shouted one thing, and some another, among the crowd. When he couldn’t find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be…
  • Acts 12:17 (v33) But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Tell these…
  • Acts 19:28 (v34) When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
  • Acts 27:2 (v29) Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of…
Show all 69 cross-references
  • Colossians 4:10 (v29) Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, “if he comes to…
  • Philemon 1:24 (v29) as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11 (v35) and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be…
  • Romans 2:22 (vv34, 37) You who say a man shouldn’t commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
  • Proverbs 14:29 (v36) He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
  • Matthew 6:7 (v34) In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.
  • Acts 13:7 (v38) who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.
  • Acts 14:12-13 (v35) They called Barnabas “Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of…
  • Acts 16:20 (v34) When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men, being Jews, are agitating our city
  • Acts 19:10 (v31) This continued for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
  • Acts 19:22 (v29) Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
  • Acts 21:30 (v29) All the city was moved and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the doors were shut.
  • Acts 21:39 (v30) But Paul said, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.”
  • Romans 16:23 (v29) Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:14 (v29) I thank God that I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius,
  • 1 Corinthians 4:9 (v29) For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world,…
  • 2 Corinthians 6:3 (v37) We give no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our service may not be blamed,
  • Ephesians 2:12 (v35) that you were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the…
  • 1 Timothy 1:20 (v33) of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.
  • 1 Timothy 4:2 (v35) through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron,
  • 2 Timothy 4:14 (v33) Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,
  • Revelation 13:4 (v34) They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is…
  • Acts 19:26 (vv34–35) You see and hear that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying…
  • Acts 21:38 (vv29, 40) Aren’t you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the…
  • 2 Samuel 18:2-3 (v30) David sent the people out, a third part under the hand of Joab, and a third part under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab’s…
  • 2 Samuel 21:17 (v30) But Abishai the son of Zeruiah helped him, and struck the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “Don’t go…
  • 1 Kings 1:41 (v40) Adonijah and all the guests who were with him heard it as they had finished eating. When Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, “Why…
  • 1 Kings 18:26 (v34) They took the bull which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, “Baal,…
  • Psalms 65:7 (v41) You still the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
  • Proverbs 15:1-2 (v41) A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush…
  • Proverbs 16:7 (v31) When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
  • Proverbs 25:8 (v36) Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
  • Ecclesiastes 9:17 (v41) The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.
  • Matthew 11:7-9 (v32) As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed…
  • Matthew 26:5 (v40) But they said, “Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people.”
  • Luke 1:22 (v33) When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them,…
  • Luke 7:24-26 (v32) When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed…
  • Acts 5:35-39 (v36) He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do. For before these days Theudas rose up,…
  • Acts 13:16 (v33) Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.
  • Acts 14:14-18 (v30) But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out, “Men, why are…
  • Acts 16:6 (v31) When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
  • Acts 16:9 (v29) A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help…
  • Acts 17:5-8 (v40) But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the…
  • Acts 17:8 (v29) The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things.
  • Acts 17:22-31 (v30) Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things. For as I…
  • Acts 18:14 (v38) But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it…
  • Acts 18:19 (v35) He came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
  • Acts 19:29 (v32) The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of…
  • Acts 19:32 (v29) Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together.
  • Acts 19:40 (v32) For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an…
  • Acts 20:1 (v40) After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
  • Acts 20:34 (v29) You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.
  • Acts 21:12 (v31) When we heard these things, both we and the people of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
  • Acts 21:31 (v40) As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
  • Acts 21:40–22:1 (v33) When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence, he…
  • Acts 24:10 (v33) When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I…
  • Acts 25:8 (v37) while he said in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.”
  • Acts 26:1-2 (v33) Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense. “I think myself happy, King…
  • 1 Corinthians 6:1 (v38) Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
  • 1 Corinthians 10:32 (v37) Give no occasion for stumbling, whether to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;
  • 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (v41) For we don’t desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia, that we were weighed down…
  • 2 Corinthians 8:19 (v29) Not only so, but he was also appointed by the assemblies to travel with us in this grace, which is served by us to the glory of the Lord…
  • Philippians 1:7 (v33) It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because both in my bonds and in the…
  • Deuteronomy 17:8 (v38) If there arises a matter too hard for you in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being…

69 distinct cross-references across this passage (72 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (23 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv29, 30, 33, 34, 35, 37 29. Luke setteth down in this place the nature…

29. Luke setteth down in this place the nature of the people, as if it were depainted in a table. Like as if a thousand houses should be set on fire at a sudden, so all the city was on an uproar in one moment; and when such a tempest is once raised, it is not easily stayed. And forasmuch as the servants of Christ cannot avoid this mischief, they must be armed with invincible constancy, that they may boldly suffer the tumults raised among the people, and that they may not be troubled as with some new and strange matter, when they see that the people is unquiet. So Paul himself doth elsewhere triumph that he went valiantly through the midst of sedition (2 Corinthians 6:5). Nevertheless, the Lord doth uphold the ministers of his word with an excellent comfort, when as they be tossed amidst diverse storms and garboils, and with excellent boldness doth he establish them, when he doth testify that he holdeth the helm of his Church; and not that only, but that he is the governor and moderator of all tumults and storms, so that he can stay the same so soon as it seemeth good to him. Therefore, let us know that we must sail as it were in a tempestuous sea; yet that we must suffer this infamy, as if we ourselves were the procurers of trouble? neither may anything lead us away from the right course of our duty. So that in sailing we shall be sore troubled; yet will not the Lord suffer us to suffer shipwreck. Furthermore, we see that though sedition be confused, yet doth the people always take the worse part; as the men of Ephesus do now catch Gains and Aristarchus, and they drive back Alexander with their furious outcries. Whence cometh this, save only because Satan doth reign in their hearts, so that they rather favor an evil cause? There is also another reason, because a prejudice conceived upon a false report doth possess their minds, so that they cannot abide to sift the cause any farther.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv31, 34, 35, 38, 39 There ought to be in all Christians and especially…
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv29–41 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion:…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv29–41 Filled with confusion; tumults and noise; all conditions of…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv30, 35 Observe here, 1. The undaunted courage of St. Paul…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv29–37 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude,.... Or…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40 They rushed with one accord - Demetrius and his…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv29, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 Verse 29. The whole city was filled with confusion]…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv30, 33, 35 Act 19:30-32. When Paul would have entered in to…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv29–41 Confusion - Tumult; disorder.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv31, 35, 37 Some also of the rulers of Asia. They are…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 having caught Gaius and Aristarchus--disappointed of Paul, as at…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 39, 41 29. Gaius—Same name as the Latin Caius. This Gaius,…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv29–41 29. And the whole city was filled with confusion]…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv29–40 (29) The whole city was filled with confusion.—The loud…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40 The city for the whole city, and the confusion…
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv29, 32 Gaius and Aristarchus… Pauls companions in travel
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv35, 37 35–40. And when the townclerk had appeased the people.…
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On vv38, 41 38. “If indeed Demetrius and the artificers along with…
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On vv29–41 See notes on verse 28
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v35 The end of the riot:
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv30, 33, 35, 38 General Information:
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv29, 31, 35 19:29 Archaeologists have excavated the amphitheater where the whole…
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