What does Acts 19:37 mean?
This is a fascinating statement, given who is speaking and why. Paul's work in Ephesus and the surrounding province has caused a decrease in Artemis worship. The craftsmen who make idols and shrines are afraid, if this continues, they could lose their businesses. They have created a marketing campaign under the guise of a rally in support of Artemis and her place in Ephesian culture. Their campaign is working. A huge mob has descended on the Ephesian theater and has been shouting "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" for two hours (Acts 19:23–34).During the march, people find Paul's companions Gaius and Aristarchus and drag them into the melee. Meanwhile, church members and provincial officials hold Paul back (Acts 19:29–31). It's unclear what the mob plans to do with Gaius and Aristarchus, but Paul later writes that his team experienced a terrifying event that had them fearing for their lives (2 Corinthians 1:8–10). It's likely this is that event. Regardless, God uses the city clerk to settle the crowd and allow Paul and his team to escape (Acts 20:1).
Paul's ministry in Ephesus has centered around healing, casting out demons, and inviting people into the kingdom of God (Acts 19:8, 11–12). It's unclear what part Gaius or Aristarchus play in the teaching part of the ministry, but the city clerk affirms something we see throughout the book of Acts. Paul doesn't spread Christianity by attacking pagan gods; he introduces the one true God. In Athens, Paul doesn't come out and condemn Athena. He gently compares his God to those of the Athenians by showing how the philosophers have unwittingly limited the nature of the God who is worth worshiping (Acts 17:24–29). His words are stronger in his letters (Galatians 4:8), but he treads lightly when speaking with unbelievers about their gods.
The city clerk points out that the mob has nothing with which to charge Gaius and Aristarchus. They have neither spoken against Artemis nor damaged her temple, which was a capital offense under Roman law. If the craftsmen want to charge Paul with a crime, they need to go through the proper channels. As it stands, it is not Paul and his team who are breaking the law; in truth, the mob is quickly descending into a riot. If they continue, the Romans will come, and the Romans did not suffer disorder (Acts 19:38–40).
Acts 19:35–41 describes one way to deal with unruly mobs; much the same as one might with over-tired toddlers. A crowd has formed in the Ephesian theater to renew their devotion to Artemis. The mob was started by idol makers whose businesses are threatened by the decreasing demand for shrines for Artemis as city residents convert to Christianity. The town clerk of Ephesus needs to disperse the crowd. He lets them wear themselves out, affirms their feelings, shows them they have nothing to fear, reminds them of the proper way to handle disappointment, and tells them the consequences if they don't behave. It works, and the crowd goes home.
Acts 19 recounts Paul's three-year visit in Ephesus. He starts by revealing how Jesus of Nazareth has brought to life the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit validates Paul's message by healing those struck with physical ailments and demon possession. Amazed by Paul's authority over evil spirits, so many magicians turn to Christ that the craftsmen who make idols fear for their livelihoods. They nearly incite a riot before the town clerk settles them down. Paul realizes his time in Ephesus has ended, and he travels to Macedonia (Acts 20:1).
