21 When these things were accomplished, 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.” 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time. 23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” 28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. 30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. 32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Commentary
Vs. 21 “When these things were accomplished, 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.”
With God working mightily miracles through the Apostle Paul and many Ephesians having now turned away from their magic arts and practices; and thus, from the power of Satan to the Power of God; and thus, many disciples and a church now established there. The Apostle Paul purposed in the Spirit, (that is by being guided and enabled by Him) that he would pass through Macedonia and Achaia, and thus revisit the churches there. (Now some believe that this journey was also done to gather relief for the brethren in Jerusalem), before he would go onto Jerusalem, and finally see Rome itself!
Vs. 22 “So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.”
So, with his itinerary now set in his mind, the Apostle Paul sent two young men who ministered to him, ahead of him, to prepare the churches for him, these were Timothy and Erastus (this is the first time Erastus is mentioned), however Paul remained in Asia, that is Ephesus for a time. Some believe that the Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians during this time.
Vs. 23-27 23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
Now during this time there arose a great commotion about the Way at Ephesus, as God was working mightily through the Apostle Paul and many Ephesians were turning away from their magic arts, and or idolatry, to the Living God! Therefore, those who once made great profit from their making and selling mages of Diana suddenly saw a steep decline in their “business” revenue. Therefore, a silversmith Demetrius, who made no small profit from making and selling shrines of Diana gathered together all those who worked in similar occupations and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.” Vs. 25-26 Clearly then this Demetrius, and those so occupied like him, had no concern for the souls of men, or the well-being of the people they were profiting from. Indeed, they were only concerned about continuing to make profit from those whom Satan had deceived, and was holding in bondage to serving and worshiping their idols; which cannot profit, or deliver anyone. And so here Satan’s plan was to try to stop or undermine the growing influence of the Gospel, and the disciples there, through Demetrius’ the silversmith, who was now seeking to set his fellow craftsmen and whomever would listen to him against the Apostle Paul. And so, under the guise of great reverence for their goddesses Diana and her Temple, (thus preying upon and using the religious pride of the people there), Demetrius now stirs up not only his fellow tradesmen, but also the whole city of Ephesus.
Vs. 28-29 28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.
And so, it was through Demetrius’ that they all now became full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” Indeed, the whole city of Ephesus upon seeing and hearing this growing uproar in the marketplace, now itself becomes swept up in it, and so there is a great confusion amongst the Ephesians as people rushed into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.
Vs. 30-31 30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
Now when the Apostle Paul heard of this, he immediately wanted to go to the theater to reason with the crowd assembled there; and thus, rescue these innocent men who had been seized by the mob. However, the disciples who were themselves Ephesians, realized that this mob would not now listen to him, indeed by Demetrius stirring them all up into such frenzy, he would be the principal person of their wrath, and would likely only be killed by them. Similarly, some of the cities officials whom the Apostle Paul had befriended, likewise sent to him pleading with him not to venture into the theater.
Vs. 32 “Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
When the inflamed mob had filled the theater (which would’ve held twenty-five thousand people or more) there was a great confusion amongst them as people were shouting and yelling one thing or another.
Vs. 33-34 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
Now the Jews, who were themselves caught up in the multitude of Ephesians in the theater, likely fearing for themselves, now draw out of the crowd and put forward a man named Alexander. However, when Alexander motioned with his hand that he was wanting to make his defense to the people, the Ephesians when they found out he was a Jew, shouted him down and began with one voice to cry out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” Now this continued for about two hours so that no one could be heard speaking.
Vs. 35-41 35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Now at some point after this the city clerk, who was the one charged with drawing up official laws and decrees (for Rome), and keeping the cities records and archives; when he came forward being recognized by the mob was now able to quiet them all down.
Having done so he now goes onto to remind the Ephesians that of all the Greek cities and states, that theirs is the chosen temple guardian of the goddess Diana, whose image (i.e., idol) they believe fell down from Zeus (vs. 35). Having reaffirmed to them their special standing, that was not in danger of being lost, because of Paul, being a Jew, and his preaching there. He now tells the mob not to do anything rashly too Paul’s travel companions. For they had unlawfully seized Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Macedonians; and Macedonians were historically their enemies; and thus, not well liked by the Greeks. Therefore, being all stirred up, and looking for someone to vent their fury on, they had brought them by force into the theater and publicly beaten them, and likely at some point would’ve executed them, if not for the city clerk realizing that with their being under Roman Rule this was utterly unlawful for them to do. And so, to dissuade them from following that the course of action, the clerk now says to them that these two men have neither rob their temple, nor blasphemed their goddess (vs. 36-37). Therefore, the clerk tells them that if Demetrius or his fellow craftsmen have any charges to lay against them, then let them do it in the courts and before the proconsuls (i.e., those appointed by Rome to judge and govern its provinces). Because as the clerk now reminds them; Rome though allowing the cites and provinces and states that they ruled a certain autonomy, always has a very dim view of any societal uprisings for any reason. And if Rome hears what has just taken place, they very well might send troops to punish their riotous actions and unlawful assembly, because Rome always maintains “the peace” in its empire by force (38-40). And so, having said as much, he now dismisses the mob and each goes back to their own place (Vs. 41).
Scripture Quotations
New King James (1982):Thomas Nelson.
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