Acts 19 40

Acts 19:40 kjv

For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

Acts 19:40 nkjv

For we are in danger of being called in question for today's uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering."

Acts 19:40 niv

As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it."

Acts 19:40 esv

For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion."

Acts 19:40 nlt

I am afraid we are in danger of being charged with rioting by the Roman government, since there is no cause for all this commotion. And if Rome demands an explanation, we won't know what to say."

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 40 Meaning

Acts 19:40 conveys the city clerk's urgent warning to the agitated crowd in Ephesus. He points out the grave legal peril they face under Roman law for their unsanctioned assembly. Their chaotic gathering lacked any justifiable reason that could be presented as a defense, making them vulnerable to charges of rioting or sedition, which carried severe penalties from the Roman proconsul. The core message is the immediate and serious consequence of uncontrolled mob action in the Roman provincial capital.

Acts 19 40 Context

Acts chapter 19 describes Paul's fruitful ministry in Ephesus, lasting over two years. His preaching of the Gospel was powerful, leading many to forsake idolatry and occult practices. This success directly threatened the livelihood of artisans whose businesses relied on pagan worship, particularly the cult of Artemis (Diana), whose grand temple was one of the wonders of the ancient world. Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, spearheaded an assembly of craftsmen who felt their trade, and the glory of their goddess, were in danger of being diminished by Paul's teachings.

The immediate context of verse 40 is the escalating chaos this protest spiraled into. The craftsmen incited a massive public disturbance, dragging two of Paul's traveling companions (Gaius and Aristarchus) into the city's open-air theater. The entire city became filled with confusion, and a shouting match erupted, with many not even knowing why they had gathered. Paul desired to address the crowd but was wisely restrained by his disciples and some Roman officials (asiarchs) who were friendly to him. Amidst this tumult, the Jewish community attempted to put forward Alexander, but when he was identified as a Jew, the crowd shouted for two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" It is at this critical juncture, with the city teetering on the brink of complete anarchy, that the respected and shrewd city clerk steps forward to restore order and address the multitude. His speech is a masterful exercise in crowd control, appealing to civic pride, common sense, and, most importantly, the severe consequences of defying Roman authority. Verse 40 is the climactic legal warning in his diplomatic discourse.

Historically, Ephesus was a major metropolitan center and the capital of the Roman province of Asia. As such, maintaining Roman law and order was paramount. Unsanctioned assemblies and civil disturbances ("stasis") were considered acts of sedition by Roman authorities, subject to harsh penalties, often including severe punishment or even execution for those involved. The proconsuls (provincial governors) were vigilant against anything that could threaten Roman stability.

Acts 19 40 Word analysis

• For (Gar – γάρ): A conjunction indicating a reason or explanation for the preceding statement (i.e., "let us do nothing rash"). It connects his advice to the impending danger.
• indeed (μεν – men): An intensifier, here implying "in truth" or "certainly." It underscores the gravity of the situation.
• we are in danger (kindyneuomen – κινδυνεύομεν): From kindynos, meaning "danger" or "peril." It's a vivid verb emphasizing immediate and serious risk.
• of being charged (enkaleisthai – ἐγκαλεῖσθαι): To be accused, formally charged, or indicted in a court of law. It highlights a legal process and consequence.
• with rioting (staseōs – στάσεως): The genitive form of stasis, meaning "uproar, rebellion, insurrection, sedition, mutiny, civil strife, or riot." This was a severe charge under Roman law, far beyond a simple disorderly conduct.
• today (sēmeron – σήμερον): An adverb emphasizing the immediacy and present reality of the danger, not a distant threat.
• there being (me – μὴ): A negative particle often used with participles, implying "not" or "without."
• no cause (medenas – μηδὲν): "Not one," or "no." It reinforces the complete absence of a legitimate legal basis.
• by which (aitias – αἰτίας): "Cause," "reason," or "charge." The noun refers to the justification or grounds for an action. The clerk highlights that the rioters lack a legitimate aitia for their actions.
• we may give an account (apodounai logon – ἀποδοῦναι λόγον): Literally, "to give back an account/word." Apodounai (give back/render) + logos (reason/account/word). It refers to providing a defensible explanation or justification for their actions to the authorities.
• of this disorderly gathering (peri tēs sēmeron systrophēs tautēs – περὶ τῆς σήμερον συστροφῆς ταύτης):
  • peri: "about" or "concerning."
  • tēs sēmeron: "today's" (again emphasizing immediacy).
  • systrophēs: "a tumultuous assembly," "a hostile crowd," "a conspiracy," or "a gathering for a bad purpose." It is stronger than a mere gathering, denoting its disorderly and potentially subversive nature.
  • tautēs: "this" (referring directly to the current situation).

Acts 19 40 Bonus section

The town clerk's intervention in Acts 19:35-41 is recognized as a profound example of practical wisdom and rhetoric. His speech demonstrates several key characteristics of effective leadership in a crisis:

• Appeals to common sense: He validates some of their existing beliefs (Great Artemis, sacred image from Jupiter) to build rapport before gently guiding them to rational thought.
• Underlining the threat: He doesn't directly chastise but explains the inevitable legal consequences for their actions from a superior power (Roman proconsul).
• Providing an alternative: He reminds them of lawful channels for dispute resolution, like courts and regular assemblies.
• Upholding law and order: His primary concern is maintaining the peace of the Roman Empire, a priority that, in this instance, inadvertently benefited the early Christian community by de-escalating the persecution.
• Divine Intervention: The immediate cessation of the riot and the town clerk's composed and logical intervention can also be seen as God working through civic channels and natural events to protect His servants (Acts 19:20 – "So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed"). This echoes numerous instances in Acts where Roman officials, for the sake of justice or order, inadvertently protect Christians from Jewish or pagan opposition.

Acts 19 40 Commentary

Acts 19:40 is the pinnacle of the city clerk's astute argument to disperse the rioting Ephesians. He masterfully shifts the focus from the internal religious and economic disputes to the very real and immediate external threat posed by Roman legal authority. His warning is not a casual remark but a solemn declaration of fact within the Roman judicial system, where unauthorized assemblies, especially tumultuous ones like this systrophe, were tantamount to sedition (stasis). The implication of such a charge would have been dire for the city's leadership and the individuals involved, potentially leading to harsh proconsular intervention, loss of civic privileges, or even collective punishment.

The clerk's wisdom is evident in highlighting the utter lack of "cause" (aitias) for the mob's actions. While Demetrius presented economic and religious pretexts (Acts 19:27), these were not valid legal grievances against Paul or the Christians under Roman law. There was no official charge filed, no judicial process initiated. The crowd had taken the law into its own hands, which Roman rule abhorred. Therefore, if questioned by the proconsul, the rioters would have "no account" (logos) to give, no justifiable defense for their tumultuous and illegal systrophe. This shrewd move protected not only Paul and his companions indirectly but also the city itself from Roman censure and brought a swift end to the chaos that day. The Lord's providential hand is seen not just in the clerk's natural wisdom, but also in the Roman system's focus on civic order, which here serves to protect His nascent church.