The Riot in Ephesus

Acts 19

²¹ Now after these things had ended, Paul determined 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 Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

²³ About that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way.

²⁴ For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen,

²⁵ whom he gathered together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth.

²⁶ You see and hear that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods that are made with hands.

²⁷ Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.”

²⁸ When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

²⁹ The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel.

³⁰ When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him.

³¹ Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.

³² Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together.

³³ They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.

³⁴ But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

³⁵ When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?

³⁶ Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rash.

³⁷ For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.

³⁸ If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another.

³⁹ But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly.

⁴⁰ For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.”

⁴¹ When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.