Acts 19:34

Translations

Modern

But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Traditional

But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

Literal

But having recognized that he is a Jew, there was one cry from all, ongoing about two hours, crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Latin

Quem ut cognoverunt Judæum esse, vox facta una est omnium, quasi per horas duas clamantium: Magna Diana Ephesiorum.

Original

Greek

English

But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “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

Acts 19:28
When the men heard this, they were enraged and began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Acts 16:20
They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil
Matthew 6:7
And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.
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?”
1 Kings 18:26
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.
Acts 19:26
And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all.
Romans 2:22
You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

People

Artemis: Greek goddess worshipped in Ephesus, associated with fertility Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

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) Church Church Meetings 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 Protests Prudence: The Town Clerk of Ephesus, in Averting a Riot

Acts 19:34

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