WHEN THE GOSPEL CHALLENGES CULTURE

Passage: Acts 19:23-41

Key verse: 23

NIV

The Riot in Ephesus

23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.(A) 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.(B) 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus(C) and in practically the whole province of Asia.(D) He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.(E) 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”(F) 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius(G) and Aristarchus,(H) Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia,(I) and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples(J) would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another.(K) Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned(L) for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”(M)

35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians,(N) doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples(O) nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen(P) have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls.(Q) They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

23 About that time (A)there arose no little disturbance concerning (B)the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, (C)brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 (D)These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, (E)saying that (F)gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the (G)great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, (H)“Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and (I)Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's (J)companions in travel. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs,[a] who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 (K)Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, (L)motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, (M)“Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from (N)the sky?[b] 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought (O)these men here who are neither (P)sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are (Q)proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further,[c] it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 19:31 That is, high-ranking officers of the province of Asia
  2. Acts 19:35 The meaning of the Greek is uncertain
  3. Acts 19:39 Some manuscripts seek about other matters
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. A threat to business causes a riot (23-34)

When God works mightily, the devil works too. Demetrius' business was making silver shrines for the worship of the goddess Artemis. His business suffered because of Paul. Many people believed in Jesus and got rid of their idols. So Demetrius called a meeting of fellow craftsmen. His motives were economic, but he cleverly played on people's religious feelings and civic pride. He started a riot to drive Paul out of town. Godless people are moved to action when their pocketbooks are threatened.

2. The riot is quelled (35-41)

Paul's companions were seized and taken to the theater (29). Paul wanted to address the crowd, but friends and fellow believers restrained him (3

-31). For two hours the rioters milled around in confusion, shouting praise to Artemis. Most didn't know why they were there. Then the city clerk rebuked the mob and the explosive situation was defused. The door in Ephesus was closing.

Prayer: Lord, help us not to be surprised at opposition or persecution when we challenge a materialistic and immoral culture with the gospel.

One Word: The gospel challenges culture