A Riot at Ephesus

Acts 19

21 v When these things were accomplished, Paul w purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through x Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, y I must also see Rome." 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, z Timothy and a Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.

23 And b about that time there arose a great commotion about c the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of 1 Diana, brought d 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 e 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 2 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 f Gaius and g 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 3 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 h Alexander i 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 4 Diana, and of the image which fell down from 5 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 6 your goddess. 38 "Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a 7 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 8 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.

  1. Cross References
    Romans 15:25
    But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.
    Galatians 2:1
    Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 20:22
    And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there.
    2 Corinthians 1:16
    To pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.
  3. Cross References
    Acts 20:1
    After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.
    1 Corinthians 16:5
    Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia).
  4. Cross References
    Acts 18:21
    But took leave of them, saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing." And he sailed from Ephesus.
    Acts 23:11
    But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.
    Romans 1:13
    Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.
    Romans 15:22 - 29
    For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.
  5. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:2
    To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
  6. Cross References
    Romans 16:23
    Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.
    2 Timothy 4:20
    Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
  7. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:8
    For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
  8. Cross References
    Acts 9:2
    And asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
  9. Cross References
    Acts 16:16
    Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
    Acts 16:19
    But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
  10. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:28
    And there you will serve gods, the work of men'...
    Psalms 115:4
    Their idols are silver and gold, The work of me...
    Isaiah 44:10 - 20
    Who would form a god or mold an image That prof...
    Jeremiah 10:3
    For the customs of the peoples are futile; For ...
    Acts 17:29
    Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, w...
    1 Corinthians 8:4
    Therefore concerning the eating of things offer...
    1 Corinthians 10:19
    What am I saying then? That an idol is anything...
    Revelation 9:20
    But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by...
  11. Cross References
    Acts 20:4
    And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia - also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
    Romans 16:23
    Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.
    1 Corinthians 1:14
    I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius.
    3 John 1:1
    The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
  12. Cross References
    Acts 20:4
    And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia - also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
    Acts 27:2
    So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.
    Colossians 4:10
    Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him).
  13. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:20
    Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
    2 Timothy 4:14
    Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 12:17
    But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren." And he departed and went to another place.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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