Acts 19 32

Acts 19:32 kjv

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

Acts 19:32 nkjv

Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.

Acts 19:32 niv

The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there.

Acts 19:32 esv

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.

Acts 19:32 nlt

Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn't even know why they were there.

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 32 Meaning

Acts 19:32 describes the chaotic scene in the theatre at Ephesus during the riot incited by Demetrius the silversmith. The verse vividly portrays a confused and disordered mob, where various individuals shouted different things, resulting in utter disarray. The significant point conveyed is that a large portion of the people present did not even understand why they had gathered, highlighting the irrational and easily swayed nature of an uninformed crowd, stirred by agitators with their own self-serving agendas.

Acts 19 32 Context

Acts 19:32 is set during Paul's ministry in Ephesus, a prominent Roman province in Asia Minor, renowned for its magnificent Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Paul's effective proclamation of the Gospel, accompanied by miracles and deliverance, led many Ephesians to convert from paganism to Christianity. This spiritual revival, which included public renunciation of magical arts and the burning of expensive scrolls, began to negatively impact the local economy, particularly the silversmiths who crafted idols and miniature shrines of Artemis. Demetrius, a leading silversmith, incited a riot by gathering his fellow craftsmen and appealing to their financial interests and civic pride, claiming Paul's teaching threatened their livelihood and the glory of Artemis. The riot quickly escalated, turning into a mob scene where Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's companions, were dragged into the theatre. The verse captures the climax of this uncontrolled agitation within the vast Ephesian theatre.

Acts 19 32 Word analysis

• Therefore (οὖν - oun): A transitional particle, indicating a consequence or continuation from the preceding events. It points to the direct result of Demetrius's agitation and the bringing of Paul's companions to the theatre.
• some (οἱ μὲν - hoi men): Refers to a portion of the crowd, highlighting a division within the agitated multitude.
• cried (ἐκραύαζον - ekrauvazon): From kraugazo, meaning "to shriek, cry out." The imperfect tense indicates continuous, repeated shouting or clamoring. It portrays a persistent, loud, and disorderly vocalization rather than reasoned discourse.
• one thing (ἄλλο - allo): Literally "another" (referring to what they cried). Used in conjunction with "and some another" to express diversity and lack of unity in their shouts.
• and some (οἱ δὲ - hoi de): Another portion of the crowd, again showing internal division.
• another (ἄλλο - allo): Indicating varied and contradictory cries among different groups within the assembly.
• for (γὰρ - gar): Introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding chaotic shouting.
• the assembly (ἡ ἐκκλησία - hē ekklēsia): This term is significant. While in the New Testament it commonly refers to the Christian "church" (a called-out assembly for a divine purpose), here it denotes a civic "assembly" or public gathering, akin to a legislative body. However, Luke's use of this word in this context underscores the chaotic and disorderly nature of this specific gathering, contrasting it sharply with the order expected in Christian ekklesia (1 Cor 14:33).
• was in confusion (ἦν συγχύσεως - ēn synchyseōs): Literally "was of confusion." Synchysis means "confusion, disorder, disturbance, turmoil," derived from a verb meaning "to pour together, mix up." This powerfully conveys a state of utter disarray and lack of any organized thought or purpose.
• and the greater part (καὶ οἱ πλείους - kai hoi pleious): Emphasizes that it was not just a few ignorant people, but the majority of the large crowd who were uninformed.
• knew not (οὐκ ᾔδεισαν - ouk ēdeisan): From oida, meaning "to know," combined with a negative. Signifies a profound ignorance and lack of understanding, indicating they were present but completely unaware of the core reason for the assembly or the riot.
• wherefore (τίνος ἕνεκα - tinos heneka): "For what reason" or "why." This highlights their fundamental ignorance of the purpose or cause of the gathering.
• they were come together (συνεληλύθεισαν - synelēlytheisan): From synerchomai, "to come together, gather." The pluperfect tense shows they had already assembled, emphasizing their presence despite their lack of comprehension.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "some cried one thing, and some another": This phrase paints a picture of extreme disunity and discord, common in mob scenarios. There was no single voice, no common chant, just a cacophony of confused shouts, indicating an absence of a clear leader or shared understanding among the crowd. This vocal anarchy directly reflects their mental confusion.
• "for the assembly was in confusion": This is the explanatory clause, the direct reason for the disparate shouting. It describes the complete state of disorder and disorganization. The use of "assembly" (ekklesia) is ironic; what should be a formal, purposeful gathering has devolved into chaotic noise and undirected action.
• "and the greater part knew not wherefore they were come together": This crucial phrase exposes the irrationality and susceptibility of the mob. The majority were mere followers, caught up in the emotional frenzy, participating without comprehension. This highlights the dangers of mob mentality where individuals lose their sense of personal reason and judgment, becoming unwitting pawns in the hands of a few manipulators.

Acts 19 32 Bonus section

The historical backdrop of Acts 19:32 reveals the immense social and economic power of the cult of Artemis in Ephesus. Her temple was a colossal economic engine, drawing pilgrims and supporting a vast industry of silversmiths, jewelers, and vendors. Paul's gospel, which proclaimed "that there be no gods, which are made with hands" (Acts 19:26), directly challenged not only a pagan deity but also a deeply entrenched economic system. The fear among the silversmiths was not primarily theological conviction but financial ruin. The mob's ignorant participation, therefore, highlights how material concerns can blind people to spiritual truth and make them unwitting tools of worldly interests. This episode is an early example of how the propagation of the Gospel often disrupts the status quo, facing not just religious opposition but also significant social and economic resistance, as people prioritize their livelihood or established norms over newfound spiritual revelation.

Acts 19 32 Commentary

Acts 19:32 profoundly illustrates the volatile and irrational nature of a mob fueled by economic interests and religious bigotry, rather than truth or justice. The scene in the Ephesian theatre is one of utter pandemonium: the crowd's shouting is disorganized, reflecting their collective mental state of bewilderment. Luke's use of "ekklēsia" for this pagan, tumultuous gathering stands in stark contrast to its use for the orderly, God-ordained assembly of believers (1 Cor 14:33), subtly underscoring the spiritual chaos prevalent outside Christ. The chilling reality is that the vast majority were present out of curiosity, excitement, or merely being swept along by the current, possessing no true understanding of the riot's origins or aims. This portrays the manipulative power of Demetrius and his co-conspirators, who successfully incited widespread commotion using only a small, self-serving core group. It serves as a potent reminder of how easily public opinion can be swayed by self-interest and passion, leading to baseless accusations and actions, contrasting sharply with the peace and clarity that define those who follow Christ.