Acts 19 36

Acts 19:36 kjv

Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

Acts 19:36 nkjv

Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.

Acts 19:36 niv

Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash.

Acts 19:36 esv

Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.

Acts 19:36 nlt

Since this is an undeniable fact, you should stay calm and not do anything rash.

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 36 Meaning

This verse declares that what has been spoken has divine authority, coming from God himself, and implies that those who dismiss it are consequently disregarding God. It establishes the absolute truth and binding nature of the spoken word, underscoring its divine origin and therefore its undeniable authority.

Acts 19 36 Context

In Acts chapter 19, Paul is in Ephesus, a city renowned for its magic and sorcery, particularly the worship of Artemis. He powerfully proclaims the gospel, and many believe, including sorcerers who burn their scrolls of magic (Acts 19:18-19). This strong affirmation by Paul and the dramatic consequences of his ministry draw the attention of the silversmith Demetrius, who crafts idols of Artemis. Demetrius incites a riot against Paul, fearing that Paul's preaching will harm their livelihood and diminish the reverence for their goddess (Acts 19:23-28). The crowd's anger escalates to the point of dragging Paul's companions into the amphitheater. At this critical juncture, the town clerk steps in to address the tumultuous assembly. Verse 36 is the town clerk's conclusion to his calming speech, an appeal to reason and established legal order, directly responding to the accusations and unrest.

Acts 19 36 Word Analysis

• you (ὑμᾶς - hymas): Plural pronoun, addressing the assembled crowd in Ephesus.
• have seen (ἑωράκατε - heōrakate): Perfect tense of horaō (to see, behold), indicating a completed action with continuing results; the people have witnessed events with their own eyes.
• have heard (ἀκηκόατε - akēkoate): Perfect tense of akouō (to hear); the people have personally heard Paul's words and the testimonies of others.
• spoken (εἰπεῖν - eipein): Aorist infinitive of eipon (to speak); referring to the specific statements and teachings that have been uttered.
• concerning (περί - peri): Preposition meaning "about" or "concerning."
• you (ὑμῖν - hymin): Dative plural pronoun, referring to the crowd directly.
• that (ὅτι - hoti): Conjunction introducing a clause, here indicating the content of what has been said.
• you (ὑμεῖς - hymeis): Nominative plural pronoun, emphasizing the subject.
• ought (ὀφείλετε - opheilete): Verb meaning "ought," "should," "must," implying a moral or legal obligation.
• to do (πράσσειν - prassein): Present infinitive of prassō (to do, to act); denotes the action that is expected or required.
• nothing (οὐδὲν - ouden): "Nothing," a strong negation.
• rashly (ὡς ἕν - hōs hen): Literally "as one," but in this context it signifies acting hastily, thoughtlessly, or in a unified but unexamined manner; to do something without due consideration or proper understanding. The phrase suggests that their actions or sentiments are not well-reasoned but are rather a unified outburst.

Words Group Analysis

The core of this verse hinges on the contrast between observable reality ("you have seen and heard") and the absence of just cause for their present actions ("you ought to do nothing rashly"). The town clerk is validating Paul's ministry and presence in Ephesus, directly countering Demetrius's accusations that Paul is blaspheming Artemis. The phrase "hōs hen" (as one) likely refers to the crowd's unified and uncritical embrace of Demetrius's inflammatory speech, leading them to a mob mentality. The clerk is calling for individual discernment and adherence to established justice, not the impulsive action of a unified, ill-informed crowd.

Acts 19 36 Bonus Section

This verse implicitly supports the principle of lex talionis (an eye for an eye) or proportionality in judgment, emphasizing that actions should be met with appropriate and reasoned responses, not excess. The clerk is reminding them that true justice, unlike mob fury, is based on evidence and legal precedent. The efficiency of Paul's ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:20) made it a potent force, but one that was perceived as a threat to the existing economic and religious order. The clerk's appeal to the people’s senses (seeing and hearing) emphasizes empirical evidence over hearsay, a crucial element in any fair hearing. His plea to "do nothing rashly" directly opposes the zealotry and unchecked anger displayed by the mob, reflecting a wider biblical theme that righteous action is deliberate and just, not impulsive or based on distorted perceptions.

Acts 19 36 Commentary

The town clerk's statement is a masterful piece of public relations and rhetorical strategy aimed at de-escalating a dangerous situation. He validates the people's observations about Paul's powerful ministry ("you have seen and heard") but redirects them from blind, mob-like action ("rashly") towards legal and reasonable conduct. He grounds his argument in the legitimacy of Paul's mission and the lack of evidence against him, highlighting the judicial process. This is not about agreement with Paul's message itself, but an appeal to established norms of justice, reminding them of Roman law and order. The verse asserts that actions taken in passion, without proper basis or understanding of the facts, are to be avoided, particularly when legal processes are in place. It serves as a reminder to individuals to act with discernment and according to justice rather than succumbing to collective emotion.