Acts 19:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater.

NIV: Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

NASB: Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent word to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

CSB: Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to venture into the amphitheater.

NLT: Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater.

KJV: And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

NKJV: Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.

Paul has been healing, teaching, and expelling demons in Ephesus for three years (Acts 20:31). People from all over the province of Asia have been freed from demonic oppression; many have abandoned witchcraft and burned their spell books (Acts 19:11–12, 18–20). People are finding real freedom in Christ.

A silversmith named Demetrius notices that Paul's followers are also abandoning their worship of the Greek gods. Without god-worship, the craftsmen can't sell idols and shrines. Although their minds are on the money they're losing, they start a protest in support of Artemis, the city's patron goddess. They lead a mob of people, most of whom don't know what's going on, to the theater. Along the way, they grab two of Paul's traveling companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, and bring them along (Acts 19:23–30).

Paul is beside himself. He wants to dive into the mob and explain, even knowing it may lead to his death (2 Corinthians 1:8–10). Early in his ministry, he bore the brunt of persecution when he entered a new city to share Jesus' offer of salvation (Acts 14:5–6, 19; 16:22–24). In Thessalonica and Berea, believers from the churches kept him from harm (Acts 17:10, 13–15). Here in Ephesus, both church members and "Asiarchs" prevent Paul from sacrificing himself (Acts 19:30).

"Asiarchs" are people from Asia, the province in southwestern modern-day Turkey. The term specifically refers to high-ranking officers. People from all over Asia have heard Paul's message and believe (Acts 19:10), but it's not clear if these men are Jesus-followers or if they just care about Paul's well-being as his friends.

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.