Acts 19:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

NIV: But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!'

NASB: But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!'

CSB: But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! "

NLT: But when the crowd realized he was a Jew, they started shouting again and kept it up for about two hours: 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!'

KJV: But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

NKJV: But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

A mob fighting for a cause is dangerous, but at least you can reason with them. A mob that doesn't know what they're protesting is more difficult to control.

The mob started as a marketing campaign. The silversmiths and other craftsmen who make idols and shrines of Greek gods realize the more Paul heals ailments, frees people from demons, and preaches about Jesus, the fewer people buy their idols. They are losing money and seek to remind the city of its loyalty to the goddess Artemis (Acts 19:23–27).

The city of Ephesus was extremely devoted to Artemis, and her temple is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. "Artemis" is just a name given to a local goddess, however. It was against Roman law to worship an unauthorized god, so communities used the names of Greek gods to continue worshiping their local gods. The Greek Artemis, also known to the Romans as Diana, was a hunter. The Ephesian version was the goddess of fertility and childbirth or the mother goddess, although she herself was a virgin.

To try to calm down the mob, the Jews send Alexander. It's unclear who Alexander is, but since he is not identified with Paul, he's probably a part of the local synagogue. The Jews may be concerned because the mob doesn't know the difference between Judaism and Christianity, and if they attack Paul they might go after the synagogue, as well. The crowd doesn't care about nuance, however. They know Alexander doesn't worship Artemis, so he can say nothing they want to hear (Acts 19:33).

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.