The Riot in Ephesus

After these events, Paul decided to travel through Macedonia and Achaia and then go to Jerusalem. He said that after that he must also see Rome. He sent Timothy and Erastus ahead into Macedonia, while he stayed in Asia a little longer. Around that time, a serious disturbance began in Ephesus concerning the Way.

A silversmith named Demetrius made silver shrines of Artemis and brought good business to the craftsmen. He gathered them and said they earned their wealth from this trade. He warned that Paul had persuaded many people, in Ephesus and in much of Asia, that gods made by human hands are not gods. Demetrius feared damage both to their trade and to the honour of Artemis and her temple.

The craftsmen became angry and began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” The whole city was thrown into confusion. People rushed together into the theatre and seized Gaius and Aristarchus, two men from Macedonia who travelled with Paul. Paul wanted to go in among the people, but the disciples would not let him. Some Asiarchs, who were his friends, also urged him not to enter the theatre.

Inside, the assembly was confused. Some shouted one thing and some another, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Alexander was brought forward, with the Jews putting him ahead. He motioned with his hand and was about to make a defence to the crowd. But when they recognised that he was a Jew, they all shouted together for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

At last the town clerk quieted the crowd. He told them that Ephesus was known as keeper of the temple of Artemis, so they should stay calm and do nothing rash. He said the men they had brought in were not temple robbers or speakers against their goddess. If Demetrius and the craftsmen had a complaint, the courts were open. Otherwise, such matters should be settled in the regular assembly. He warned that the city was in danger because of this riot without cause, and then he dismissed the gathering.