Acts 19:28

Translations

Modern

When the men heard this, they were enraged and began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Traditional

And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

Literal

And having heard and having become full of rage, they were crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Latin

His auditis, repleti sunt ira, et exclamaverunt dicentes: Magna Diana Ephesiorum.

Original

Greek

English

When the men heard this, they were enraged and began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Notes

Acts 19:24–34

Demetrius, a silversmith whose business was harmed by Paul’s message about one God, stirred up a large riot against him.

Acts 19:23–41

The main god worshiped in Ephesus was the Greek goddess Artemis. People believed she was born there, so the city of Ephesus was known as the guardian of her temple.

Each year, the people held large festivals in her honor. These included sports, music, and theater. During these events, people would shout, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

The temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

As more people became Christians, the worship of Artemis began to decline. This also affected the local economy, since many people earned money from her temple. However, it became clear that Paul and his coworkers had not committed any crime.

Acts 18:23–19:41

This section describes Paul's third mission journey, which happened around AD 53 to 57. Paul visited Galatia and Phrygia again to build stronger relationships with the disciples (18:23). He then traveled to Ephesus, where he stayed for more than two years (19:1, 8–10).

Theme notes and profiles

Ephesus Paul (Saul) Rome Dealing with Conflict

Events

Third Missionary Journeyc. AD 50
Riot in Ephesus

Related verses

Revelation 17:13
These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.
Revelation 13:4
They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?”
Isaiah 41:5–7
The islands see and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward.
Acts 21:28–31
…crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”
Psalm 2:2
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:
Acts 16:19–24
When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
Revelation 12:12
Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time.”
1 Samuel 5:3–5
When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place.
Acts 7:54
On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him.
Acts 19:34–35
But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Acts 18:19
When they reached Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews.
1 Kings 18:26–29
And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made.

People

Artemis: Greek goddess worshipped in Ephesus, associated with fertility

Places

Ephesus: Major city in Asia Minor; important center for early Christianity

Glossary

Alexander Artemis Asiarch Book of the Acts of the Apostles Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Demetrius Diana Ephesus First Letter to the Corinthians Gods and Goddesses Letter to the Colossians Letter to the Ephesians Paul the Apostle Persecution Philippians, Letter to the Second Letter to the Corinthians Timothy, First Letter to Travel

Topics

Demetrius: A Silversmith, Noted for Raising a Riot Diana: Goddess of the Ephesians Idolatry: Ephesians Paul: The Spread of the Gospel Through his Preaching Interferes with the Makers of Idols

Acts 19:28

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