Acts 19:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel.

NIV: Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together.

NASB: The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s Macedonian traveling companions.

CSB: So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's traveling companions.

NLT: Soon the whole city was filled with confusion. Everyone rushed to the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, who were Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.

KJV: And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

NKJV: So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.

In Athens, Gentiles rejected Paul's offer of salvation on the grounds of philosophical differences: they didn't believe in the resurrection of the dead (Acts 17:32). In Philippi and Ephesus, it's because Paul's ministry threatens a small group's ability to make money (Acts 16:19; 19:26–27). In Ephesus, so many people are abandoning the Greek gods and following Jesus that the craftsmen who make idols are losing business. To remind the Ephesians of their regional heritage, and drum up more business, the craftsmen start a protest in support of Artemis (Acts 19:28).

The people of Ephesus don't know what's going on (Acts 19:32). They just know Demetrius, a silversmith, has dragged two men from Macedonia into the theater. The theater is carved into a mountain slope and can hold 24,000 people. Three times a month the people meet there to discus and vote on issues. This is not one of those times.

Gaius is from Corinth and hosted Paul during his first visit (Romans 16:23). Third John 1:1 mentions a Gaius, and it would make sense if this was the same Gaius since John lived in Ephesus and his letter is about hospitality. However, this is not the same Gaius mentioned in Acts 20:4, who was from Derbe.

Aristarchus, from Thessalonica, remains Paul's companion for a while. He travels with Paul from Ephesus to Greece and Jerusalem where they both are arrested. Aristarchus is also imprisoned with Paul in Rome, although it seems he is freed before Paul (Acts 20:4; 27:2; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24).

Fortunately, the town clerk can disperse the riot (Acts 19:41). Even so, Paul is rattled. He will write to the church in Corinth, "For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead" (2 Corinthians 1:8–9). As soon as everyone is safe, Paul leaves for Troas and Macedonia (Acts 20:1).

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 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.