Acts 19 - Printer Friendly

What does Acts 19 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Acts 19 is the story of Paul's three-year stay in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. Paul had visited Ephesus for a very short time at the end of his second missionary journey. He entered the synagogue, as usual, and explained how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Messiah as given in the Jewish Scriptures. The synagogue members wanted him to stay longer and explain more fully, but he wanted to get to Jerusalem, possibly for the Passover. He told them he would return if he could. He sailed from Ephesus to Caesarea Maritima on the coast of Judea, then visited the church in Jerusalem before heading north. After an extended stay in Syrian Antioch, Paul—and presumably unnamed companions—traveled northwest again, into the provinces of Galatia and Phrygia in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:19–23). While there, he strengthened the churches he and Barnabas had planted in his first missionary journey (Acts 13:3—14:28) and that he and Silas had visited on his second (Acts 16:1–5).

In Acts 19:1–7, Paul meets twelve men in Ephesus who, like Apollos (Acts 18:24–28), are ardent followers of John the Baptist's teaching of repentance but don't know about the baptism of Jesus. Paul explains that John was the herald of the Messiah—Jesus of Nazareth—and if they are baptized in Jesus' name it means publicly declaring their allegiance to Jesus. Faith brings the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They agree and become the first brought to Christ in Ephesus by Paul.

Acts 19:8–10 is a very short synopsis of Paul's three years (Acts 20:31) in Ephesus. The fact that it can be summarized so quickly suggests Paul's time there is much like his stays in other cities. He first goes to the synagogue where he expounds on his initial message that Jesus is the Messiah. After a while, this time three months, many agree with him, but those who don't harass him and his followers so much they leave. He finds another place to teach the new believers and welcome new-comers, and usually stays until either the Jews drive him out of town, or the Gentiles realize his ministry is costing them money. After the summary, Luke elaborates on two specific consequences of Paul's ministry in Ephesus.

Acts 19:11–20 records the first of these outcomes. Paul's strong witness that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures is validated by the work of the Holy Spirit in him, particularly in his ability to heal physical conditions and exorcise demons. Itinerant Jewish magicians, not unlike Elymas in Cyprus (Acts 13:4–12), notice how powerful Paul is when he invokes the name of Jesus. They attempt to emulate him when faced by a demon-possessed man. The demon is not cowed by the mere mention of Jesus' name without the authority of Jesus. It attacks the magicians, so they run naked and wounded from the house. When the people of Ephesus realize Paul has real power over demons, they burn their books of magic and follow Jesus.

Acts 19:21–27 begins the second situation. Like in Philippi (Acts 16:16–24), Paul faces Gentiles whose livelihoods are threatened by his message. In Ephesus, the silversmiths realize the more people turn away from their worship of Artemis to follow Jesus, the fewer idols they will be able to sell. Demetrius, one such silversmith, points this out to the other artisans in the city, adding—almost as an afterthought—that Ephesus' pre-eminence as the home of the worship of Artemis is at risk.

In Acts 19:28–34, Demetrius's fellow craftsmen respond. They capture two of Paul's companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, and drag them to the local theater. A mob forms, most of them ignorant of what started the confusion. The church members hold Paul back, keeping him from entering the theater, while the mob shouts "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" for two hours.

In Acts 19:35–41, the town clerk takes control. He manages to quiet the crowd enough that he can speak reason to the mob. He reminds them that Ephesus will always be known for Artemis worship and that starting a riot is not the proper solution for sophisticated people. If Demetrius has a complaint, he should formally charge the men before the proconsuls at court. The crowd disperses with no further injury.

After the riot, however, Paul decides he needs to leave. He returns to Macedonia, likely visiting the churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea that he planted during his second trip (Acts 16:11—17:15), and then spends three months in Corinth. When he discovers he cannot safely sail from Corinth to Syrian Antioch, Paul retraces his steps through Macedonia and Troas and briefly meets with the Ephesian elders in Miletus. During their few hours together, he tells them he is going to Jerusalem where he suspects something tragic will happen; they will not see him again (Acts 20). Indeed, when he arrives in Jerusalem, he is arrested, sent to house-arrest in Caesarea Maritima, and taken to Rome in a harrowing sea voyage. Jesus will later have a message for the Ephesian church. He will say the Ephesians do well at detecting false teachers but have lost their love of Him. The one-time idol worshipers readily turn away from pagan worship but forget the joy of worshiping Christ (Revelation 2:1–7).

Acts 19:1–7 continues the story of Paul's third missionary trip that began with his tour of the churches in central modern-day Turkey (Acts 18:23). Now, he is in Ephesus in the province of Asia in western Turkey. He had been in Ephesus for a short time before and will now stay for about three years (Acts 18:19–21; 20:31). His first encounter is with twelve men who know about John the Baptist and his baptism for repentance but not about Jesus, whom John promised would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11).

Acts 19:8–10 gives a quick synopsis of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. He is in the middle of his third missionary journey. Paul, Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos have already shared Jesus' story with the Jews (Acts 18:19–21, 24–26). Now, Paul spends three months in the synagogue, explaining what Jesus taught about the kingdom of God. When he meets resistance, he moves to a lecture hall for two years. People from all over southwestern modern-day Turkey hear the good news of Jesus before Paul moves on.

Acts 19:11–20 gives the account of the Sons of Sceva in Ephesus. Witchcraft was endemic in Ephesus, and itinerant Jewish exorcists took advantage of the corresponding demonic activity. Paul has been healing and expelling demons in Jesus' name. But when the sons of Sceva attempt to use his faith in Christ as a formula, the demon beats them up. The people see how Paul has access to real power that can free them, and they abandon their magic and follow Jesus—much to the dismay of the guild that makes and sells idols of Artemis (Acts 19:23–27).

Acts 19:21–22 is a short break in the middle of Paul's ministry in Ephesus. We have learned that a great many who practice witchcraft realize Paul, by the Holy Spirit, has real power, and have come to trust in Jesus (Acts 19:11–20). Now, Paul prepares to leave Ephesus, sending Timothy and Erastus ahead of him to Macedonia. Next, a riot started by idol craftsmen will provide the final impetus to convince Paul to move on (Acts 19:23—20:1).

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.

In Acts 19:28–34, a marketing campaign turns into a riot. Silversmiths and other craftsmen are losing business because so many in the city of Ephesus are turning to Jesus. They shout their allegiance to Artemis, the city goddess, as they march through the streets. Other residents join their cry and follow them to the theater. Along the way, they grab two of Paul's companions. Paul tries to intervene, but other church members hold him back. The mob marches to the theater, most of them not knowing what is actually going on, and chant for two straight hours.

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.

Chapter Summary:

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).

Chapter Context:

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.

Accessed 5/1/2024 8:34:21 PM