Acts 19 35

Acts 19:35 kjv

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

Acts 19:35 nkjv

And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: "Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?

Acts 19:35 niv

The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Fellow Ephesians, 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?

Acts 19:35 esv

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 the sky?

Acts 19:35 nlt

At last the mayor was able to quiet them down enough to speak. "Citizens of Ephesus," he said. "Everyone knows that Ephesus is the official guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, whose image fell down to us from heaven.

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 35 Meaning

Acts 19:35 describes the strategic intervention of the Ephesian townclerk to quell a riot incited against Paul's ministry. He appealed to the mob's shared knowledge and deep civic pride, reminding them of Ephesus's undisputed status as guardian of the renowned Temple of Artemis (Diana) and the universally acknowledged divine origin of her venerated image, which was believed to have descended from the heavens. His argument highlighted the futility of their uproar given the unshakeable certainty of their worship, thereby shifting focus towards maintaining public order and avoiding Roman censure.

Acts 19 35 Context

Acts chapter 19 describes Paul’s extensive and impactful ministry in Ephesus, lasting over two years. His teaching challenged local religious beliefs, particularly the widespread devotion to Artemis (Diana). This evangelistic success directly threatened the livelihood of artisans who made silver shrines for Artemis, most notably Demetrius. This economic threat ignited a massive riot in the city’s theater, fueled by fear, fanaticism, and civic pride in their famous goddess and temple. Verse 35 occurs as the crowd is in a chaotic frenzy, shouting praises to Artemis. The townclerk, a high-ranking civic official, emerges to bring order, strategically addressing the mob. Historically, Ephesus was a significant city in the Roman province of Asia, known as a “worshipper” or "temple-keeper" (neōkoros) of Artemis, a prestigious title bestowed by Rome. The claim that Artemis’s image “fell from Jupiter” (diopetes) reflected a common ancient belief attributing miraculous, divine origins to cult objects, giving them immense spiritual authority.

Acts 19 35 Word analysis

• And when the townclerk (Greek: grammateus - γραμματεύς): This term refers to a high-ranking civic official, more than just a scribe. He held administrative power, recorded official decisions, and represented the city's interests. His role was crucial in maintaining order and ensuring the city's relationship with Roman authorities remained favorable.
• had appeased (Greek: katastellō - καταστέλλω): Means to quiet, restrain, or suppress. It indicates that the crowd was agitated and needed strong, calming intervention. The clerk's words were intended to settle the chaotic shouting and bring rationality back to the mob.
• the people: Refers to the agitated and riotous crowd of Ephesians, swayed by Demetrius’s instigation.
• he said: The beginning of his official address, reflecting his authority and intention to reason with the multitude.
• Ye men of Ephesus: A direct address, appealing to their identity and civic honor.
• what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper (Greek: neōkoros - νεωκόρος): This word literally means "temple-sweeper" or "temple-warden," but for a city, it was an honorific title. Ephesus had been designated by Rome as the official guardian or caretaker of the cult of Artemis, a significant status that conferred prestige and potentially special economic or political benefits. The clerk appeals to this undeniable and universally acknowledged status.
• of the great goddess Diana: "Diana" is the Roman name for the Greek goddess "Artemis" (Greek: Artemis - Ἄρτεμις). She was a revered deity across the Greco-Roman world, but Ephesus was home to her magnificent temple, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. She was considered the patron goddess of the city.
• and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? (Greek: diopetes - διοπετής): This crucial phrase means "fallen from Zeus" (Jupiter being the Roman equivalent). It refers to the belief that the cult image of Artemis was not man-made but had miraculously descended from the heavens. This gave the idol an unparalleled aura of divine authenticity and sanctity, differentiating it from mere human craftsmanship. This directly contrasted with Paul’s teaching that "gods made with hands are no gods" (Acts 19:26), implying the utter validity of Artemis's image against Christian claims.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And when the townclerk had appeased the people": Highlights the clerk's crucial role as a figure of authority who skillfully de-escalates a dangerous situation. His actions reflect the Roman concern for maintaining public order.
• "what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana": This rhetorical question underlines the undeniable and public nature of Ephesus’s devotion to Artemis and their prestigious neōkoros status. It appeals to their shared identity and common sense, implying the irrationality of challenging such an established belief.
• "and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?": This phrase emphasizes the core argument for the goddess's legitimacy—her idol was perceived as having a supernatural, divine origin, not made by human hands. This belief solidified its veneration and presented a formidable challenge to Paul's gospel.

Acts 19 35 Bonus section

The townclerk's argument was a pragmatic, political maneuver rather than a theological defense. His immediate concern was maintaining order and protecting Ephesus from potential Roman imperial reprisal. Had the riot continued, the city could have faced sanctions, including losing its prestigious status or even self-governance. The townclerk uses a form of logical fallacy here known as "appeal to popular belief" or "bandwagon," suggesting that because everyone knows it and believes it, it must be true, which is contrary to Christian teaching where truth is often held by a minority or counter-cultural view. This passage subtly demonstrates the powerful influence of economic factors and community identity in resisting new religious movements.

Acts 19 35 Commentary

The townclerk's speech in Acts 19:35 is a masterclass in crisis management and shrewd public relations, balancing civic pride with legal practicality. He did not defend Artemis based on his personal belief, but on the public, unassailable fact of Ephesus's celebrated status as a guardian of her cult and the purported divine origin of her image. By stating what was universally known and revered by the Ephesians, he diffused the volatile mob. His appeal to their established religious identity and the celestial provenance of their idol provided a face-saving, unifying argument that overshadowed the agitation against Paul. Ultimately, his objective was to restore public order, avoiding potential charges of rioting from Roman authorities, which could result in the loss of Ephesus’s precious civic freedoms and titles. This episode powerfully illustrates the clash between the monotheistic, image-denying truth of the Gospel and entrenched polytheistic practices underpinned by popular superstition and civic pride.