Acts 19 34

Acts 19:34 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.

Acts 19:34 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!"

Acts 19:34 niv

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

Acts 19:34 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!"

Acts 19:34 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!"

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 34 Meaning

Acts 19:34 describes a pivotal moment in the riot in Ephesus. Upon realizing that the individual put forward by the Jews, Alexander, was indeed a Jew, the agitated crowd's anti-Jewish prejudice was ignited. They refused to hear anything from him, irrespective of whether he sought to defend himself, clarify the situation, or distance himself from Paul's message. Instead, the entire mob, with a single, unified voice, vehemently and continuously chanted for approximately two hours, declaring, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" This declaration served as an emotional outburst of their devotion, a defense of their revered goddess against perceived threats, and a powerful assertion of their communal identity and economic interests.

Acts 19 34 Context

Acts chapter 19 describes Paul's significant and extended ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-20:1), which lasted for over two years. This ministry profoundly impacted the city, leading many to convert from paganism and embrace the Lord. Paul's message directly challenged the widespread idol worship, particularly the prominent cult of Artemis (Diana), whose magnificent temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The verse 34 finds its immediate context within the riot provoked by Demetrius, a silversmith who made miniature silver shrines of Artemis. He gathered other craftsmen and incited them by arguing that Paul's preaching was not only diminishing the goddess's reverence but also directly threatening their lucrative trade (Acts 19:23-27). This stirred up immense anger, leading to a massive, chaotic assembly in the theater of Ephesus. During this uproar, some Jews attempted to present Alexander to address the crowd, possibly to dissociate themselves from Paul and avoid blame. However, the Ephesian mob, already inflamed, reacted purely based on their long-standing anti-Jewish sentiment and the threat to their religious-economic system, refusing to listen to any Jew and instead defaulting to their fervent, collective idolatrous chant. This highlights the intersection of economic interests, deep-seated religious devotion, and anti-Jewish prejudice that characterized the riot.

Acts 19 34 Word analysis

• But when they recognized that (γνόντες δὲ ὅτι, gnontes de hoti): The participle γνόντες (knowing/recognizing) signifies a moment of understanding or realization. The shift (δὲ, de, "but/and") implies a change in the mob's reaction based on this new information. Their perception of Alexander's identity immediately altered their disposition.
• he was a Jew (Ἰουδαῖός ἐστιν, Ioudaios estin): Ἰουδαῖος (Jew) here carries a loaded meaning beyond mere ethnicity. For the Ephesians, Jews were distinct, known for not worshipping idols like Artemis, and sometimes viewed with suspicion or as opponents of their traditions. This identification alone was enough to provoke the crowd, pre-judging Alexander's message based on his origin.
• all (πάντες, pantes): Emphasizes the overwhelming, universal consensus of the assembled multitude. It underscores the complete immersion of individual identity into the collective, reinforcing the power of the mob.
• with one voice (μιᾷ φωνῇ, mia phonē): Denotes perfect, unified agreement and outcry. It's a powerful descriptor of unanimity in an emotional outburst, drowning out any potential for individual reason or dissent. This 'single voice' makes the collective declaration incredibly potent.
• cried out (ἔκραζον, ekrazon): This verb is in the imperfect tense in Greek, indicating a continuous or repeated action. It was not a singular shout but a sustained, persistent, and perhaps ever-increasing chant, suggesting a mounting fervor and emotional intensity over time. It is often used for loud, desperate, or passionate cries.
• for about two hours (ἐπὶ ὥρας δύο, epi horas duo): This temporal detail underscores the extraordinary endurance and zeal of the crowd's protest. Two hours of continuous chanting reflects profound fanaticism, a deep emotional investment in their cause (Artemis worship and its economic implications), and the sheer scale and unwavering resolve of the mob. It points to a situation completely out of rational control.
• 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!' (μεγάλη ἡ Ἄρτεμις Ἐφεσίων, megalē hē Artemis Ephesiōn):
  • μεγάλη (megalē, "great"): A powerful adjective declaring supremacy and reverence. It's an affirmation of her deity and power, often used in ancient worship to elevate a god above others.
  • ἡ Ἄρτεμις (hē Artemis, "the Artemis"): Referring specifically to their beloved goddess, Diana in Roman mythology, whose cult was central to Ephesian life and identity. The definite article (ἡ) makes it specific and personal.
  • Ἐφεσίων (Ephesiōn, "of the Ephesians"): This genitive plural makes the goddess proprietorial and local. She wasn't just a great goddess; she was their great goddess, intrinsically linked to the city's identity, pride, and prosperity. This declaration functions as a civic and religious creed, uniting the people against any perceived threat.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But when they recognized that he was a Jew": This phrase encapsulates the mob's prejudice and unwillingness to hear. Their immediate rejection wasn't based on Alexander's arguments, but on his ethnic/religious identity, seen as intrinsically opposed to their own beliefs. This illustrates how deep-seated biases can override reason and suppress dialogue.
• "all with one voice cried out for about two hours": This depicts an unprecedented level of collective emotional frenzy and synchronized idolatry. The unanimity and duration underscore the formidable power of a mob fueled by fear, economic anxiety, and religious zeal, turning them into a single, irrational entity.
• "'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!'": This chant is both a theological affirmation and a social declaration. It asserts the goddess's perceived power, defends their traditional way of life and source of income, and binds the Ephesian identity closely with her worship. It functions as a powerful, defiant counter-proclamation against the disruptive influence of the Gospel.

Acts 19 34 Bonus section

The intense, two-hour chant was more than just noise; it was a ritualistic affirmation, almost a liturgical act in its repetition, aimed at dispelling the perceived threat of Paul's teachings by invoking their supreme deity. This highlights the ritualistic nature of idolatry. From an Old Testament perspective, such repetitive, futile prayers to false gods were explicitly contrasted with the genuine, responsive worship of the true God (e.g., the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel in 1 Ki 18). Furthermore, the verse underscores the deep entanglement of religious practice with civic and economic life in the ancient world. The fear for their livelihood (τὸ ἐργασίας - the business, Acts 19:24) was inseparable from their fear for Artemis's honor (τὸ ἱερὸν - the temple, Acts 19:27). This demonstrates how materialistic concerns often drive religious zeal in opposing the Gospel, making the 'god of money' (Mammon) a hidden force behind overt idolatry.

Acts 19 34 Commentary

Acts 19:34 vividly captures the profound resistance encountered when the truth of the Gospel challenges entrenched cultural, religious, and economic structures. The verse reveals several timeless spiritual principles: the irrationality of the mob mentality, where prejudice and self-interest can override any logical argument; the fervent devotion that can be paid to false gods when linked to personal or communal prosperity; and the unified, emotional defense of these idols when threatened. The Jews' attempt to distance themselves ironically solidified the crowd's anti-Jewish sentiment, further demonstrating how easily inflamed prejudice can derail communication. The prolonged, repetitive chant signifies not thoughtful devotion, but rather an outburst of defensive pride and blind loyalty. It serves as a stark reminder of humanity's propensity to cling to what is familiar, profitable, or emotionally satisfying, even if it stands in direct opposition to divine truth. This riot was a clear sign of the significant impact Paul's ministry was having in challenging the spiritual strongholds of Ephesus.