Acts 19:24 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there.

NASB: For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing considerable business to the craftsmen;

CSB: For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen.

NLT: It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy.

KJV: For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

NKJV: For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.

Paul has impacted the incomes of people before. In Philippi, a slave girl, possessed by a fortune-telling demon, followed him around and yelled at him so much he expelled the demon. The girl's owners, angry that they could no longer use the girl's power to make money, had Paul and Silas arrested (Acts 16:16–24).

This is the first time on record were Paul angered an entire industry. Through the authority of the Holy Spirit, he has been healing the sick and releasing the possessed from the power of demons. So many people throughout the province of Asia, in southwest modern-day Turkey, have turned away from worshiping the Greek gods that the idol makers fear for their income. They rally the entire city, reinforcing their devotion to Artemis, until the town clerk threatens them with a charge of rioting (Acts 19:25–34).

Part of the town clerk's negotiations is reminding the crowd that Demetrius and the craftsmen can file a suit against Paul if they have sufficient evidence he's breaking the law (Acts 19:38). There's no indication this is Demetrius's goal. He knows Paul hasn't broken the law. But by riling up the people he gets what he wants: an effective marketing campaign.

Throughout the spread of Christianity, those who thoughtfully consider the story of Jesus or who desperately need the freedom and healing Jesus provides accept His offer of forgiveness (Luke 24:26–27; Acts 8:26–39). Those who are jealous of the popularity of Jesus' message or have money to lose rebel (Matthew 27:18; Acts 16:19; 17:5; 19:23–27). The trend continues today.

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.