Keraia
Acts 19

Acts 19:29

The Riot in Ephesus · Acts 19:21–41
Read Acts 19

Translations

Modern
Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And the city was filled with confusion, and with one accord they rushed to the theatre, having dragged off Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow travelers of Paul.
Latin
Et impleta est civitas confusione, et impetum fecerunt uno animo in theatrum, rapto Gajo et Aristarcho Macedonibus, comitibus Pauli.

Original

Greek
English
Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.

Notes

Acts 19:29

Archaeologists have uncovered the amphitheater where the whole city gathered. It could hold about 24,000 people.

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

People

Aristarchus: Macedonian companion of Paul, fellow prisoner Gaius: Macedonian; Paul's traveling companion; caught in Ephesian riot Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles

Places

Macedonia: A region in northern Greece; Paul preached there

Glossary

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

Topics

Aristarchus: A Companion of Paul Demetrius: A Silversmith, Noted for Raising a Riot Gaius: A Macedonian, and a Companion of Paul: Seized at Ephesus Mob: At Ephesus Paul: The Spread of the Gospel Through his Preaching Interferes with the Makers of Idols Prudence: The Town Clerk of Ephesus, in Averting a Riot Theater: General Scriptures Concerning