Translations
Original
Notes
Demetrius, a silversmith whose business was harmed by Paul’s message about one God, stirred up a large riot against him.
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.
Events
People
Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles
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 Theater Timothy, First Letter to Travel
Topics
Demetrius: A Silversmith, Noted for Raising a Riot 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