Acts 19:23 kjv
And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
Acts 19:23 nkjv
And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
Acts 19:23 niv
About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.
Acts 19:23 esv
About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way.
Acts 19:23 nlt
About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way.
Acts 19 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 19:24 | For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, | Fulfillment/Echo of Theme |
| Acts 19:25 | And when he had called them, with the workmen of like occupation, he said, Men, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. | Economic Motivation |
| Acts 19:26 | Moreover ye see and hear, that that this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this thy god is no gods, which are made with hands. | Opposition to the Gospel |
| 1 Kings 18:17 | And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? | Persecution of Prophets |
| John 12:19 | The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world goeth after him. | Spread of the Gospel causes unrest |
| Jeremiah 10:14 | Every man is brutish by knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. | Idolatry's Futility |
| Isaiah 44:10 | Who hath fashioned a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing? | Futility of Idols |
| Daniel 5:4 | They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. | Idolatrous Worship |
| Ephesians 4:14 | That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; | Deception of false teaching |
| 2 Timothy 4:3 | For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; | Enduring False Teachers |
| Revelation 18:11 | And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: | Economic impact of judgment |
| Genesis 3:6 | And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. | Temptation for personal gain |
| Philippians 1:15 | Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of goodwill: | Mixed motives in ministry |
| Galatians 1:6 | I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: | Turning away from truth |
| 2 Peter 2:1 | But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bringing upon themselves swift destruction. | False Teachers |
| Revelation 21:8 | But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. | Consequences of Idolatry |
| Exodus 32:20 | And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it into powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. | Destruction of Idols |
| Deuteronomy 7:5 | But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. | God's command against idols |
| John 2:15-17 | And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. While he spake these words, his disciples remembered that it is written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. | Zeal against corruption |
| Mark 7:13 | Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. | Tradition vs. Word |
Acts 19 verses
Acts 19 23 Meaning
This verse describes a disturbance caused by Demetrius, a silversmith, who was angered by the teachings of Paul. Demetrius’s livelihood was threatened because Paul’s ministry in Ephesus was turning people away from worshipping the goddess Artemis (also known as Diana in Roman tradition). This led to an economic and religious crisis for the craftsmen who profited from Artemis worship.
Acts 19 23 Context
This verse occurs in the narrative of Paul's ministry in Ephesus, a major city known for its devotion to the goddess Artemis. Paul’s preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ was profoundly impacting the city, leading many to abandon the worship of idols and their associated practices. This created a significant disruption to the established religious and economic systems. The previous verses detail the supernatural occurrences through Paul's ministry, highlighting the power of the true God in contrast to the impotence of idols. The immediate context is the rising opposition fueled by the economic interests of those who benefited from Artemis worship, culminating in the riot described in the following verses.
Acts 19 23 Word Analysis
- “And when they had”: Indicates a consequential action, linking this statement to previous events or a growing sentiment.
- “brought them”: Refers to the assembly of artisans and craftsmen who were directly involved in producing or selling items related to Artemis worship.
- “both”: Emphasizes that the following groups were gathered together.
- “the people”: Likely referring to the general populace, including the Gentile converts and possibly sympathizers within Ephesus.
- “of like occupation”: Specifies that the gathering included individuals engaged in the same trade, specifically those involved in idol manufacturing or sales.
- “Demas”: Although the name "Demas" appears in some translations, scholarly consensus often identifies this name with "Demetrius" in the original Greek manuscripts of this specific verse, a common confusion due to similar-sounding names or potential scribal errors over time. This Demetrius is identified as a prominent figure in the silversmith guild.
- “certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith”: This introduces the antagonist of this particular event. His profession as a silversmith is crucial as his economic interests are directly threatened by Paul's ministry. Silver shrines, small temple replicas, were likely a significant part of his business.
- “which made silver shrines like unto”: This specifies the trade – crafting miniatures of the temple of Artemis, or possibly idols themselves, made of silver. These items were probably sold to worshippers and pilgrims.
- “Diana”: This is the Roman name for the Greek goddess Artemis, the primary deity worshipped in Ephesus. Her cult was extremely popular and central to the city's identity and economy.
- “and that no small gain thereby”: This highlights the substantial financial profit derived from this religious trade. This economic motive is the primary driver for the opposition.
Acts 19 23 Bonus Section
The riot that follows this gathering is a dramatic example of how economic interests can masquerade as religious concern. The craftsmen are not just defending Artemis; they are defending their livelihoods, their "craft." This economic motive is a recurring theme in the New Testament's account of Christian persecution (e.g., the silversmiths of Ephesus). The city clerk’s later intervention in verse 35 reveals the importance of civic order and the potential for such disturbances to draw the attention of Roman authorities, underscoring the broader political implications of religious movements. The persistence of idolatry, even in the face of powerful divine demonstration through Paul, highlights the deep-seated nature of spiritual deception and attachment to material possessions and traditions.
Acts 19 23 Commentary
The upheaval in Ephesus, as described in this chapter, illustrates the tangible impact of the Gospel. It wasn't just a spiritual shift for individuals but also a challenge to the societal structures that relied on pagan practices. The opposition described here, led by Demetrius, reveals a common thread throughout the spread of Christianity: resistance from established systems and those whose economic well-being was tied to the old ways. This incident serves as a potent reminder that sincere faith often encounters worldly opposition rooted in self-interest and fear of change. It underscores the direct conflict between the worship of God and the worship of material things, whether idols or wealth derived from them.