Keraia
Acts 19

Acts 19:35

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

Modern
Finally the city clerk quieted the crowd and declared, “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t everyone know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?
Traditional
And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
Literal
And having calmed the crowd, the town clerk says, “Men, Ephesians, what man is there indeed who does not know the city of the Ephesians as being temple-keeper of the great Artemis and of that fallen from the sky?
Latin
Et cum sedasset scriba turbas, dixit: Viri Ephesii, quis enim est hominum, qui nesciat Ephesiorum civitatem cultricem esse magnæ Dianæ, Jovisque prolis?

Original

Greek
English
Finally the city clerk quieted the crowd and declared, “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t everyone know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?

Notes

Acts 19:35

The tradition said that the image (statue) of Artemis had fallen from heaven. This may mean that it was made from a meteor (a rock that falls to earth from space).

Acts 19:35–41

The city clerk stopped the demonstration to prevent the city from being accused of rioting by the Roman government. This story shows that Christians in the Roman world had the right to a fair legal process.

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

Events

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) Church Church Meetings City Clerk Demetrius Diana First Letter to the Corinthians Gods and Goddesses Letter to the Colossians Letter to the Ephesians Paul the Apostle Persecution Philippians, Letter to the Phrygia Second Letter to the Corinthians Theater Timothy, First Letter to Travel

Topics

Cities: Town Clerk of Citizens: Duties of Clerk: Town Demetrius: A Silversmith, Noted for Raising a Riot Diana: Goddess of the Ephesians Jupiter: Equivalent to Zeus, a Greek and Roman Deity 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 Tact: The Town Clerk of Ephesus Town Clerk: General Scriptures Concerning