A Study of the Book of Acts
Part 3: Paul's Missionary Journeys (Acts 13:1-21:16)
Acts 19:21-41
"For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse."— Acts 19:40
Read Acts 19:21-41 carefully before answering these questions.
Paul's Future Plans (19:21-22) "After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome." Paul's planned itinerary: Destination Purpose Macedonia Visit churches at Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea; collect for Jerusalem saints Achaia (Greece) Visit Corinth; wrote Romans from there Jerusalem Deliver the collection to the poor saints (Rom. 15:25-26) Rome "I must also see Rome" — he would get there, but as a prisoner (Acts 28)
Timothy and Erastus sent ahead (19:22): To prepare the churches in Macedonia. Erastus may be the city treasurer of Corinth mentioned in Romans 16:23.
Diana of the Ephesians (Artemis) Aspect Details Name Greek: Artemis; Roman: Diana — but the Ephesian Artemis was distinct from the Greek goddess Character Fertility goddess; depicted with multiple breasts; associated with nature, animals, childbirth The Temple One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; 4x larger than the Parthenon; 127 columns, each 60 feet high "Image which fell down from Probably a meteorite; believed to be a sacred image sent from Jupiter" (19:35) heaven Economic importance Pilgrims came from all over; temple served as a bank; silver shrines sold as souvenirs; major industry Civic pride "Temple keeper" (neokoros) was an official title of honor for the city (19:35)
Demetrius's Speech: Mixed Motives (19:25-27) Demetrius cleverly mixed economics and religion to stir up the crowd: What He Said Real Concern "By this craft we have our wealth" (v. 25) Economic — their income was threatened "This Paul hath persuaded and turned away Admission of the gospel's success! much people" (v. 26)
What He Said Real Concern "Saying that they be no gods, which are made Accurate summary of Paul's teaching! with hands" (v. 26) "Our craft is in danger to be set at nought" (v. Real concern — profits! 27) "The temple of the great goddess Diana Religious cover — appeals to civic and should be despised" (v. 27) religious pride "Her magnificence should be destroyed" (v. Exaggeration — but effective! 27)
Pattern: Throughout Acts, opposition to the gospel often has economic motives hidden behind religious language (cf. Acts 16:16-19, the slave girl at Philippi).
The Riot (19:28-34)
| Verse | Events |
|---|---|
| 19:28 | "Full of wrath" — began crying out "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" |
| 19:29 | "Whole city was filled with confusion" — mob rushed into the theater (could hold 25,000); seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's companions |
| 19:30-31 | Paul wanted to enter the theater but disciples and Asiarchs (his friends!) prevented him |
| 19:32 | "The assembly was confused; the more part knew not wherefore they were come together" — mob mentality! |
| 19:33-34 | Jews put forward Alexander to speak (perhaps to distance themselves |
from Christians); crowd recognized he was Jewish and shouted him down — "about the space of two hours" crying "Great is Diana!"
The Asiarchs: Paul's Influential Friends (19:31) "And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre." Who were the Asiarchs?
The Town Clerk's Speech (19:35-41) The town clerk (grammateus) was the chief administrative official of Ephesus — responsible for maintaining order and the city's relationship with Rome.
| His Argument | Significance |
|---|---|
| "What man is there that knoweth not..." (v. | Diana's position is secure — no need for panic 35) |
| "These things cannot be spoken against" (v. | So calm down! — appeal to reason 36) |
| "These men... are neither robbers of | The Christians had committed no crime — |
| churches, nor yet blasphemers of your | powerful defense! goddess" (v. 37) |
| His Argument | Significance |
| "If Demetrius... have a matter against any | Use the courts, not mobs — proper legal |
| man, the law is open" (v. 38) | channels exist |
| "If ye enquire any thing concerning other | This mob is NOT a lawful assembly matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly" (v. 39) |
| "We are in danger to be called in question for | Rome might revoke the city's privileges — |
| this day's uproar" (v. 40) | real threat! |
Result: "When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly" (v. 41). The riot ended without harm to the Christians. God used a secular official to protect His people — again!
Gaius and Aristarchus: Paul's Companions (19:29) Name Information Gaius "Of Macedonia" — common name; possibly the Gaius of Derbe (20:4) or of Corinth (Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14) Aristarchus "Of Thessalonica" (20:4; 27:2); later traveled with Paul to Rome; called Paul's "fellowprisoner" (Col. 4:10; Philemon 24)
These men risked their lives for the gospel. They were dragged before an angry mob of 25,000 — yet remained faithful.
| Reference | Acts Verse | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Rom. 15:25-26 | Acts 19:21 | Paul's plan to bring collection to Jerusalem |
| 1 Cor. 15:32 | Acts 19:23-41 | "Fought with beasts at Ephesus" — possibly figurative for this riot |
| 2 Cor. 1:8-10 | Acts 19:23-41 | "Trouble which came to us in Asia" — deadly danger |
| Acts 16:16-19 | Acts 19:25 | Economic motives behind religious opposition (Philippi) |
| Col. 4:10 | Acts 19:29 | Aristarchus later Paul's fellow prisoner |
Lessons from Acts 19:21-41 1. The gospel impacts economics — when people stop sinning, some businesses suffer. 2. Opposition often has hidden motives — religious language may cover economic interests. 3. Mob mentality is dangerous — most people didn't even know why they were shouting. 4. Courage must be tempered with wisdom — Paul wanted to enter but was wisely restrained. 5. The gospel reaches all levels of society — even Asiarchs were Paul's friends. 6. God uses secular authorities to protect His people — the town clerk unwittingly defended the Christians.