A Riot in Ephesus

19:21 Now after all these things had taken place,69 Paul resolved70 to go to Jerusalem,71 passing through Macedonia72 and Achaia.73 He said,74 “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”75 19:22 So after sending76 two of his assistants,77 Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia,78 he himself stayed on for a while in the province of Asia.79

19:23 At80 that time81 a great disturbance82 took place concerning the Way.83 19:24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines84 of Artemis,85 brought a great deal86 of business87 to the craftsmen. 19:25 He gathered88 these89 together, along with the workmen in similar trades,90 and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity91 comes from this business. 19:26 And you see and hear that this Paul has persuaded92 and turned away93 a large crowd,94 not only in Ephesus95 but in practically all of the province of Asia,96 by saying97 that gods made by hands are not gods at all.98 19:27 There is danger not only that this business of ours will come into disrepute,99 but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis100 will be regarded as nothing,101 and she whom all the province of Asia102 and the world worship will suffer the loss of her greatness.”103

19:28 When104 they heard105 this they became enraged106 and began to shout,107 “Great is Artemis108 of the Ephesians!” 19:29 The109 city was filled with the uproar,110 and the crowd111 rushed to the theater112 together,113 dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. 19:30 But when Paul wanted to enter the public assembly,114 the disciples would not let him. 19:31 Even some of the provincial authorities115 who were his friends sent116 a message117 to him, urging him not to venture118 into the theater. 19:32 So then some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had met together.119 19:33 Some of the crowd concluded120 it was about121 Alexander because the Jews had pushed him to the front.122 Alexander, gesturing123 with his hand, was wanting to make a defense124 before the public assembly.125 19:34 But when they recognized126 that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison,127 “Great is Artemis128 of the Ephesians!” for about two hours.129 19:35 After the city secretary130 quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what person131 is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the keeper132 of the temple of the great Artemis133 and of her image that fell from heaven?134 19:36 So because these facts135 are indisputable,136 you must keep quiet137 and not do anything reckless.138 19:37 For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers139 nor blasphemers of our goddess.140 19:38 If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint141 against someone, the courts are open142 and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another there.143 19:39 But if you want anything in addition,144 it will have to be settled145 in a legal assembly.146 19:40 For147 we are in danger of being charged with rioting148 today, since there is no cause we can give to explain149 this disorderly gathering.”150 19:41 After151 he had said152 this,153 he dismissed the assembly.154