The Ephesian Riot over Artemis
Acts 19:23-41
Acts.19.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- κατα: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- καιρον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εκεινον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ταραχος: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ολιγος: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- περι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- οδου: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 19:28–29 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same Ephesian uproar—details the mob and the riot sparked by Paul’s preaching and its threat to Artemis’ cult (same incident as v.23).
- Acts 21:27–31 (thematic): Another violent public uproar against Paul in Jerusalem driven by opposition to his teaching about Jesus and the Way; parallels crowd dynamics and charges that Christians disrupt civic/religious order.
- Acts 17:6–7 (verbal): Accusation that Christian missionaries ‘turn the world upside down’—language of disturbing the established order parallels the claim of a significant disturbance caused by the Way.
- Acts 16:20–21 (thematic): Local leaders in Philippi accuse Paul and Silas of ‘troubling our city’ and promoting customs unacceptable to Romans—an earlier instance where preaching the Way provokes public complaint and unrest.
Alternative generated candidates
- About that time there arose a great disturbance concerning the Way.
- About that time there arose a great uproar concerning the Way.
Acts.19.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Δημητριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- αργυροκοπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ποιων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ναους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αργυρους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- Αρτεμιδος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- παρειχετο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- τεχνιταις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ολιγην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- εργασιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 19:25 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: Demetrius summons the assembly and articulates the economic and religious threat posed by Paul's preaching.
- Acts 16:16-24 (thematic): Conflict motivated by lost income: owners of a slave-girl who earned money for her masters instigate persecution against Paul and Silas, paralleling Demetrius’s economic concern.
- Acts 17:16 (thematic): Paul’s encounter with urban idolatry in Athens—his distress at a city ‘full of idols’—parallels the context in Ephesus where Artemis worship permeates civic life.
- Isaiah 44:12-17 (thematic): Critique of craftsmen who fashion idols from wood and metal and then worship their own creations echoes the theme of artisan involvement in idol production represented by Demetrius, though Isaiah condemns the practice.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (thematic): Depiction of idols as silver and gold and of their makers being like them parallels the image of silver-workers crafting shrines of Artemis and highlights the religious and material dimensions of idol-making.
Alternative generated candidates
- For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made shrines of silver for Artemis, brought no small gain to the craftsmen;
- For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines for Artemis, was bringing no small business to the craftsmen.
Acts.19.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- συναθροισας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- περι: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- τοιαυτα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- εργατας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- ειπεν·Ανδρες: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- επιστασθε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- εκ: PREP
- ταυτης: DEM,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εργασιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ευπορια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 19:24 (structural): Immediate context introducing Demetrius the silversmith and the craft of making silver shrines of Artemis; sets up the gathering and complaint about livelihood in 19:25.
- Acts 19:26 (thematic): Demetrius expands the economic and religious threat posed by Paul's preaching—fear that the temple of Artemis will be dishonored and their business ruined, directly following the claim about their prosperity.
- Acts 19:27 (thematic): Continues the same argument that their trade will be brought into disrepute and that Paul's influence will draw people away from the worship of Artemis, echoing the concern for 'our livelihood.'
- Matthew 21:12-13 (thematic): Jesus drives out money-changers from the temple, illustrating how religious reform can disrupt temple-based commerce—parallel to Demetrius' alarm over economic loss tied to religious practice.
- 1 Corinthians 9:14 (thematic): Paul's teaching that those who preach the gospel have a right to receive material support contrasts with Demetrius' defensive claim about the economic value of his craft and highlights differing views on ministry and livelihood.
Alternative generated candidates
- and he gathered them together, with the workmen of like trade, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends on this business.
- He called them together with the workmen of similar trades and said, "Men, you know that from this craft we have our wealth.
Acts.19.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- θεωρειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- ακουετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- μονον: ADV
- Εφεσου: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αλλα: CONJ
- σχεδον: ADV
- πασης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- Ασιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- πεισας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- μετεστησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ικανον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- οχλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- λεγων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,m,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- θεοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δια: PREP
- χειρων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- γινομενοι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Isaiah 44:9-11 (allusion): Ridicules idol-makers and their products as man-made and powerless—closely parallels the claim that 'they are not gods who are made with hands.'
- Psalm 115:4-8 (verbal): Describes idols as crafted objects that cannot speak, see, or save—echoes the contempt for man-made gods in Acts 19:26.
- 1 Corinthians 8:4 (thematic): Paulic statement that 'an idol is nothing' parallels the theological point that these objects are not true gods.
- Romans 1:23 (thematic): Speaks of humanity exchanging the glory of God for images—connects to the critique of worshiping gods made by hands.
Alternative generated candidates
- You see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but in almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.
- You see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all Asia this Paul has persuaded and drawn away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods.
Acts.19.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ου: PART,neg
- μονον: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- κινδυνευει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μερος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- απελεγμον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ελθειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αλλα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- μεγαλης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- θεας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- Αρτεμιδος: PN,gen,sg,f
- ιερον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- ουθεν: ADV
- λογισθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- μελλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- καθαιρεισθαι: VERB,pres,pass,inf
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- μεγαλειοτητος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ολη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- Ασια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- οικουμενη: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- σεβεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 19:24 (structural): Immediate context: the silversmiths' trade and riot motive are introduced here—the economic threat that sparks the complaint in v.27.
- Acts 17:24-29 (thematic): Paul's Mars Hill speech contrasts the living God with idols and temples, echoing the theme that a cultic shrine can be shown to be ultimately insignificant.
- 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 (thematic): Paul argues that 'an idol is nothing' and there is one God, a theological counterpoint to the fear that Artemis' temple might be the ultimate source of divine power and honor.
- Psalm 115:4-8 (thematic): A vivid OT portrayal of idols as powerless objects—parallels the claim that the greatness of Artemis could be reduced to nothing.
Alternative generated candidates
- There is danger, not only that our trade will come into disrepute, but that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be despised, and that the magnificence of the one whom all Asia and the world worships will be destroyed.”
- There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing and that her majesty, whom all Asia and the world worship, will be overthrown."
Acts.19.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ακουσαντες: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- γενομενοι: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,pl,m
- πληρεις: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- θυμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εκραζον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- λεγοντες·Μεγαλη: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- Αρτεμις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- Εφεσιων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
Parallels
- Acts 19:34 (verbal): The crowd repeats the exact same cry, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians,” showing the slogan-like refrain that fuels the disturbance.
- Acts 19:27 (thematic): Explains the motive behind the shout: silversmiths fear Paul’s preaching will discredit Artemis and ruin their trade, prompting the uproar.
- Acts 19:29 (structural): Immediate narrative consequence of the shouting—confusion spreads through the city and people rush into the theater—showing how the cry escalates into mob action.
- Acts 21:30 (thematic): Another scene of urban uproar against Paul in Acts where an angry crowd seizes him, illustrating the recurring pattern of public shouts and mob violence in response to accusations against the apostle.
Alternative generated candidates
- When they heard this they were filled with wrath and cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
- When they heard this they were filled with rage and began shouting, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
Acts.19.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- επλησθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πολις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- συγχυσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ωρμησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τε: CONJ
- ομοθυμαδον: ADV
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θεατρον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- συναρπασαντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- Γαιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Αρισταρχον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Μακεδονας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- συνεκδημους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- Παυλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 17:5 (verbal): Both passages describe opponents forming a mob and setting the city in an uproar (Greek phrasing and image of a city disturbed by a gathered crowd).
- Acts 21:30 (structural): A parallel scene in which 'the whole city was aroused' and the people ran together—same structural motif of a city-wide commotion and massing of people.
- Acts 16:22 (thematic): Here the crowd rises up against Paul and Silas and attacks them—the theme of a hostile urban mob seizing or assaulting Paul and his companions echoes Acts 19:29.
- Acts 13:50 (verbal): This passage recounts Jews inciting the devout and leading citizens and 'raising a mob' against Paul and Barnabas—similar verbal and thematic language of instigated city unrest and mob action.
Alternative generated candidates
- The whole city was filled with confusion, and they all rushed into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s companions in travel.
- The city was filled with confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, companions of Paul in his travel.
Acts.19.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Παυλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- βουλομενου: VERB,pres,mid,part,gen,sg,m
- εισελθειν: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- δημον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ειων: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μαθηται·: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 21:12-14 (thematic): Disciples urge Paul not to go into a hazardous public situation (Jerusalem); both passages show followers attempting to prevent their leader entering danger.
- Acts 9:25 (thematic): After Paul's conversion the believers actively intervene to control his movements (lowering him in a basket) to protect him from hostile crowds—similar protective restraint by disciples.
- Mark 10:13-16 (thematic): The disciples rebuke or bar people from approaching Jesus (those bringing children), reflecting the pattern of followers restricting access to their teacher or leader.
- Mark 9:38 (verbal): The verb and action (the disciples 'forbade' someone from casting out demons) parallels the disciples' refusal in Acts 19:30 to allow Paul to enter the assembly; both describe disciples' prohibitive intervention.
Alternative generated candidates
- Paul wished to go in among the crowd, but the disciples would not let him;
- Paul wished to go in and address the crowd, but his disciples would not let him.
Acts.19.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ασιαρχων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- οντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- φιλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- πεμψαντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- παρεκαλουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- μη: PART
- δουναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εαυτον: PRON,acc,sg,masc,reflex
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θεατρον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Acts 19:30 (structural): Immediate context: the verses around v.31 describe conflicting attempts by others about Paul’s movements (companions urging him into the crowd), creating a parallel contrast with the Asiarchs urging him not to enter the theater.
- Acts 19:32 (verbal): Same episode—both verses depict the chaos of the assembly (different groups shouting), which explains why friends/officials sought to keep Paul out of the theater.
- Acts 19:38 (thematic): The city clerk’s appeal for civic order and his condemnation of mob violence echoes the Asiarchs’ concern to prevent a public disturbance by keeping Paul out of the theater.
- Acts 17:5-9 (thematic): A mob in Thessalonica attacks Paul’s mission and drags associates before authorities—parallel pattern of popular unrest against Paul’s ministry and civic/legal involvement to contain it.
- Acts 21:30-31 (thematic): A later violent seizure of Paul in Jerusalem shows the recurring danger of mob action and the practical reasons why friends or officials would urge him to avoid volatile public gatherings.
Alternative generated candidates
- and some of the Asiarchs, who were his friends, sent to urge him not to venture into the theater.
- Some of the assembly were shouting one thing and some another, for the meeting was in confusion and most of them did not know why they had come together.
Acts.19.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- αλλο: ADJ,neut,sg,nom
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εκραζον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- γαρ: PART
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εκκλησια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- συγκεχυμενη: VERB,perf,pas,part,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πλειους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ηδεισαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τινος: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ενεκα: PREP
- συνεληλυθεισαν: VERB,plupf,pas,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 19:30 (structural): Same episode in Ephesus—Paul is prevented from addressing the crowd, setting the scene for the confusion described in 19:32.
- Acts 19:34 (structural): Immediate continuation of the narrative—reports a great cry and confusion in the theatre, echoing the mixed shouts and lack of understanding in 19:32.
- John 7:43 (thematic): Describes a division among the people over Jesus, paralleling Acts 19:32’s report of a confused, divided assembly unsure why they have gathered.
- John 10:19 (thematic): Records a similar division among the Jews in response to Jesus’ words—another New Testament example of public confusion and factional shouting.
- 1 Corinthians 14:33 (thematic): Paul’s instruction that God is not the author of confusion contrasts with the chaotic, disorderly assembly in Acts 19:32 and reflects early Christian concerns about orderly gatherings.
Alternative generated candidates
- Some cried one thing, some another; for the assembly was confused, and the majority did not know why they had come together.
- Then they drew forward Alexander out of the crowd, the Jews pushing him to the fore; and Alexander motioned with his hand, wishing to make a defense to the people.
Acts.19.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εκ: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- οχλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- συνεβιβασαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- Αλεξανδρον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- προβαλοντων: PART,aor,gen,pl,m
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ιουδαιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Αλεξανδρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- κατασεισας: VERB,aor,act,part,m,sg,nom
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- χειρα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ηθελεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- απολογεισθαι: VERB,pres,midd,inf
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- δημω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 21:40 (verbal): Paul is permitted to address the crowd and signals with a hand gesture (Greek: stretching/waving his hand) to begin speaking — closely parallels Alexander’s motioning in 19:33.
- Acts 22:1 (thematic): Paul opens his defence to the crowd with the formula ‘Men, brethren, and fathers, hear my defense’ (ἀπολογία) — parallels the scene of an individual attempting to make an apologia before a hostile assembly.
- Acts 24:10 (thematic): Paul gives a formal defense before Governor Felix (‘when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul began his defense’) — another instance of the apologetic speech motif in Acts.
- Acts 26:1 (structural): Paul’s extended defense before King Agrippa follows the same courtroom/apologia structure (Paul addresses his hearers at length) and parallels the formal defense impulse found in 19:33.
- 1 Peter 3:15 (verbal): Uses the same key term apologia/‘answer/defense’ (ἀπολογίᾳ) — thematically connects to the obligation/act of making a defense when confronted by others, as in Acts 19:33.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then they drew Alexander out of the multitude. The Jews put him forward, and Alexander motioned with his hand to make a defense to the people.
- But when they recognized that he was a Jew, all shouted with one voice for about two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
Acts.19.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επιγνοντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- οτι: CONJ
- Ιουδαιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- φωνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- μια: NUM,nom,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- ως: ADV
- επι: PREP
- ωρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- δυο: NUM,acc,pl,m
- κραζοντων·Μεγαλη: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,pl,m + ADJ,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- Αρτεμις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- Εφεσιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 19:28 (quotation): Records the same acclamation ('Great is Artemis/Diana of the Ephesians') earlier in the chapter — a direct verbal parallel to the cry in v.34.
- Acts 19:27 (thematic): Explains the economic and religious motive behind the uproar by referring to the temple of the great goddess Artemis and the threat to craftsmen's trade.
- Acts 19:29 (structural): Describes the ensuing riot and crowd dynamics (dragging companions into the theatre), providing immediate narrative context for the prolonged shouting in v.34.
- Acts 17:6 (thematic): An earlier example of a public uproar provoked by Paul’s ministry ('these who have turned the world upside down'), showing a recurring pattern of civic disturbance surrounding Christian proclamation.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
- The town clerk quieted the crowd and said, "Men of Ephesus, who is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image that fell down from Jupiter?
Acts.19.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- καταστειλας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- γραμματευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- οχλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- φησιν·Ανδρες: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg + NOUN,voc,pl,m
- Εφεσιοι: NOUN,voc,pl,m
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- γαρ: PART
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ανθρωπων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- γινωσκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- Εφεσιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- πολιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- νεωκορον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ουσαν: PART,pres,act,acc,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- μεγαλης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- Αρτεμιδος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- διοπετους: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 19:27 (verbal): Same episode: explicitly mentions the temple of Artemis and 'the image which fell from Jupiter,' the economic and religious concern that provoked the assembly referenced in 19:35.
- Acts 19:28 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation describing the city-wide disturbance and mob reaction to the threat against Artemis—context for the town clerk's attempt to restore order in 19:35.
- Acts 17:22-23 (thematic): Paul's address to the 'men of Athens' links civic identity to local religious objects (altar to the 'unknown god'); parallels the way the Ephesian town clerk appeals to civic knowledge of the city's guardian deity.
- 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 (thematic): Discussion of idols and 'gods made with hands' echoes the controversy behind the Ephesian riot—opponents claimed the craftsmen's trade and the temple's status were threatened by preaching that such images are not gods.
Alternative generated candidates
- The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image that fell from heaven?
- Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.
Acts.19.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αναντιρρητων: ADJ,gen,pl,n
- ουν: CONJ
- οντων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,pl,n
- τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- δεον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- κατεσταλμενους: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,acc,pl,m
- υπαρχειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- μηδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- προπετες: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- πρασσειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- James 1:19 (thematic): Both urge restraint in speech and anger — 'quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger' parallels the call to be quiet and not act rashly.
- Romans 12:18 (thematic): Exhortation to pursue peace with all people mirrors the civic appeal to avoid violent or rash conduct and maintain public order.
- Psalm 4:4 (verbal): Psalm's 'Be angry, and do not sin; commune with your own heart... and be still' echoes the imperative to be silent and refrain from impulsive deeds.
- Proverbs 15:18 (thematic): Proverb contrasts a hot-tempered man who stirs strife with one who is slow to anger and quiets contention, paralleling the call to suppress a riotous outbreak.
- Proverbs 19:11 (thematic): The praise of discretion and slowness to anger as wisdom aligns with the admonition to refrain from precipitate, disorderly actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore, since these are undeniable facts, you must be quiet and do nothing rash.
- For you have brought these men here who are neither thieves nor blasphemers of your goddess.
Acts.19.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ηγαγετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- γαρ: PART
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ανδρας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- τουτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ουτε: CONJ
- ιεροσυλους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ουτε: CONJ
- βλασφημουντας: VERB,pres,act,ptc,acc,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- Acts 19:36 (structural): Immediate context and official response in the same riot scene: the town clerk calms the crowd and offers legal redress rather than mob violence, following his claim that the men are not temple-robbers or blasphemers.
- Acts 6:13–14 (verbal): False witnesses accuse Stephen of ‘blaspheming’ (βλασφημεῖν) God and the law; parallels the tactic of labeling Christians as blasphemers to incite public outrage.
- Acts 21:28 (thematic): Accusations against Paul that he ‘defiles’ the temple and teaches against the law echo the same pattern of charging Christian missionaries with offenses against sacred things to provoke a mob.
- Leviticus 24:16 (allusion): The OT law prescribing punishment for blasphemy explains why charges of ‘blaspheming’ (used in the accusation in Acts 19:37) were so serious and inflammatory in Jewish/Roman-era contexts.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have brought these men here who are neither temple-robbers nor blasphemers of your goddess.
- If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a charge against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges there and be judged.
Acts.19.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μεν: PART
- ουν: CONJ
- Δημητριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- συν: PREP
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- τεχνιται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εχουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αγοραιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αγονται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ανθυπατοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- εγκαλειτωσαν: VERB,aor,mid,imp,3,pl
- αλληλοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 16:37-39 (thematic): Magistrates intervene to uphold public order and legal rights after a disturbance; like the town clerk’s appeal to formal legal channels rather than mob justice.
- Acts 25:16 (thematic): Affirms Roman legal procedure requiring accusers to present charges in court—echoes the town clerk’s call to bring complaints before proper courts.
- Acts 22:25-29 (thematic): Illustrates invocation of Roman legal protections and officials (citizenship, magistrates) as the proper remedy in disputes and civil procedures.
- 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 (thematic): Deals with Christians taking disputes to secular courts; parallels the theme of resolving complaints through juridical fora rather than public disorder.
- Romans 13:1-7 (structural): Affirms the role and authority of governing officials to maintain order and adjudicate matters—background principle behind the clerk’s appeal to courts and magistrates.
Alternative generated candidates
- If then Demetrius and the craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open; let them bring charges before the lawful authorities.
- But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it will be decided in the lawful assembly.
Acts.19.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- περαιτερω: ADV
- επιζητειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εννομω: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- εκκλησια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- επιλυθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 19:35 (verbal): Same speech by the city clerk earlier in the scene: directs formal complaints to the courts/official forum rather than the mob — closely parallels the wording and function of 'lawful assembly.'
- 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 (thematic): Paul insists disputes among believers should be settled in an appropriate forum of the community (the saints) rather than before secular courts or by mob action — echoes the principle of resolving matters in a proper assembly.
- Matthew 18:15-17 (structural): Prescribes a staged, communal process for handling offenses (private rebuke, witnesses, then the church) — parallels the idea that disputes and discipline belong to an authorized assembly rather than public uproar.
- 1 Timothy 5:19 (thematic): Requires that accusations against elders be brought with two or three witnesses and handled through church procedures — reflects the same concern for orderly, sanctioned adjudication within an ecclesial forum.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if you want anything further, it will be settled in the lawful assembly.
- For we are in danger of being accused of riot for today’s uproar, and there is no cause that we can give for such a great disturbance.
Acts.19.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- γαρ: PART
- κινδυνευομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- εγκαλεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- στασεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- περι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- σημερον: ADV
- μηδενος: PRON,gen,sg,m
- αιτιου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- υπαρχοντος: PART,pres,act,gen,sg,m
- περι: PREP
- ου: PART,neg
- ου: PART,neg
- δυνησομεθα: VERB,fut,mid,ind,1,pl
- αποδουναι: VERB,inf,aor,act
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- περι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- συστροφης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ταυτης: DEM,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- ειπων: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- απελυσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκκλησιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 17:6 (thematic): Accusation that Christians ‘turned the world upside down’ parallels the charge in Acts 19:40 that followers are causing public disturbance and civic unrest.
- Acts 16:20–21 (verbal): Local leaders there accuse Paul and companions of ‘disturbing the city’ (ἀναστατοῦσι τὴν πόλιν), language closely echoing the concern in 19:40 about being charged with a riot/uproar.
- Acts 19:29 (structural): Earlier in the same chapter the theatre is filled with confusion and the crowd rushes in (the immediate commotion to which the city clerk refers in 19:40), providing the narrative background for the warning and dismissal.
- Acts 21:38 (thematic): The Roman tribune’s reference to ‘the Egyptian who stirred up a revolt’ shows the recurring motif of leaders being accused of inciting public disturbances—similar civic charges as in 19:40.
- Romans 13:3–4 (thematic): Paul’s teaching that governing authorities exist to punish wrongdoing (and suppress disorder) helps explain the city official’s interest in quelling the riot and his warning about legal/official consequences for unrest.
Alternative generated candidates
- For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no legitimate cause for such an assembly.”
- When he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
About that time a great disturbance arose concerning the Way.
For a silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines for the goddess Artemis, was bringing no small gain to the craftsmen.
He gathered them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said, “Men, you know that by this trade we prosper.
You see and hear that not only in Ephesus but throughout almost all Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods who are made with hands.”
“There is danger,” he continued, “that not only our trade will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be despised, and her magnificence destroyed—she whom all Asia and the world worships.”
When they heard this they were filled with fury and cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
The whole city was thrown into confusion, and seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, companions of Paul, they rushed with one accord into the theater.
Paul wanted to go in to the crowd, but the disciples would not allow him.
Some shouted one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most did not know why they had come together.
Some of the crowd attempted to put forward Alexander, whom the Jews had set before them; Alexander motioned with his hand to make a defense to the people. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all cried out with one voice for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
The city clerk quieted the multitude and said: “Men of Ephesus, who is there that does not know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the image that fell down from Zeus?
Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be calm and do nothing rash.
For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.
If then Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls—let them press charges.
If you seek anything further, it shall be settled in a lawful assembly.
For we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s uproar, since there is no cause that we can offer to justify such a commotion.”
Having said this, he dismissed the assembly.