Acts 19:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way.

NIV: About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.

NASB: About that time a major disturbance occurred in regard to the Way.

CSB: About that time there was a major disturbance about the Way.

NLT: About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way.

KJV: And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

NKJV: And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.

For about three years (Acts 20:31), Paul has been in Ephesus, a city known for demonic activity and witchcraft. When the people who practiced witchcraft realized Paul's power was greater than the demons they served, they spoiled their spells and burned their written incantations (Acts 19:11–20). All over the province of Asia, in southwest modern-day Turkey, people were not only rejecting the demons, but also the Greek gods.

In Ephesus, this means Artemis. If people aren't worshiping Artemis, they're not buying her idols and shrines. The craftsmen don't care that Paul is rescuing people enslaved to demons; he's a threat to their livelihoods. Under the guise of concern for Artemis worship and regional patriotism, they protest as they march to the theater. Many others from the city join in their chant—"Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" —although they have no idea what's going on (Acts 19:24–34).

Eventually, the town clerk manages to quiet them down and disperse the crowd (Acts 19:35–41). Paul realizes it's time to leave Ephesus (Acts 20:1).

"The Way" is what the early Church calls its teaching as well as its religion (Acts 9:2; 19:9; 22:4; 24:14, 22). It seems to be based on Jesus' statement that He is "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). "Christian" was first used in Syrian Antioch, likely as a derogatory term (Acts 11:26), and didn't significantly catch on until later.

Acts 19:23–27 is the story of how people often value money and civil identity more than the freedom and salvation found in Christ. Paul's work in Ephesus is so effective that people are turning to Jesus in noticeable numbers. Fearful for their income, the craftsmen who make idols start a pro-Artemis rally that nearly turns into a riot. They know people are being healed and rescued from demons, but they'd rather have money, so they use the religious and civil identities of the Ephesians to secure it.

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).

Acts 19 is the meat of Paul's third missionary voyage. He has already revisited the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:23). Now he returns to Ephesus for a three-year stay. After firmly establishing the church there, rescuing many from pagan magic and the worship of Artemis, he returns to Macedonia and Greece. A threat on his life sends him back up to Macedonia and across to Troas. He meets briefly with the Ephesian elders to tell them they will not meet again (Acts 20). When he returns to Jerusalem, he is arrested and, eventually, taken to Rome.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.