Acts 19 41

Acts 19:41 kjv

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Acts 19:41 nkjv

And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Acts 19:41 niv

After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

Acts 19:41 esv

And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Acts 19:41 nlt

Then he dismissed them, and they dispersed.

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 41 Meaning

Acts 19:41 concludes the intense riot in Ephesus. After successfully calming the tumultuous crowd with a persuasive speech, the town clerk formally disbanded the assembly, restoring order. This act of dismissal brought a decisive end to the civic unrest spurred by idol-makers threatened by the Christian message.

Acts 19 41 Context

Acts chapter 19 details Paul’s powerful two-year ministry in Ephesus, resulting in numerous conversions and public rejection of occult practices. This success deeply affected Demetrius, a silversmith whose lucrative business relied on crafting idols of Artemis (Diana), the city's highly revered goddess. Demetrius stirred up his fellow craftsmen, sparking a city-wide riot rooted in both economic self-interest and religious zealotry. The angry mob filled the massive theater, shouting "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Paul's attempts to address the crowd were prevented by disciples and certain civic officials from Asia. Acts 19:41 describes the ultimate resolution of this intense incident. The shrewd town clerk, a key civic leader, intervened with a calm and logical speech. He meticulously defused the crisis by highlighting legal proper procedure, debunking the baseless accusations against Paul, and sternly warning the rioters of the potential Roman penalties for public disorder, thereby restoring peace to the city.

Acts 19 41 Word analysis

• And when he had thus spoken (καὶ ταῦτα εἰπὼν - kai tauta eipōn):

  • And: Serves as a direct conjunction, indicating immediate sequence following the town clerk's discourse.
  • when he had thus spoken: Literally, "and having said these things." This Greek aorist participle indicates a completed action preceding the main verb, signifying that the entirety of his calming and legally reasoned speech was delivered. It underscores the decisive nature and immediate impact of his words in pacifying the agitated crowd.

• he dismissed (ἀπέλυσεν - apelysen):

  • This is the aorist active indicative form of apolyō. It means "to release," "send away," "discharge," or "dismiss."
  • In this context, it signifies a formal and authoritative act. The town clerk, by virtue of his office, exercised his civic authority to officially break up the unlawful gathering. It's more than simply telling them to leave; it's a legally recognized dismissal.
  • This action highlights the town clerk's role as the guarantor of order and the enforcer of city regulations against a riotous assembly.

• the assembly (τὴν ἐκκλησίαν - tēn ekklēsian):

  • The Greek word ekklēsia primarily refers to a public assembly or gathering, especially of citizens. While it often refers to the "church" (the assembly of believers "called out" by God) in other New Testament contexts, here it denotes the secular, tumultuous, and technically unlawful public gathering that had convened in the theater.
  • Its use here highlights Luke's precise terminology, differentiating this civic, disorderly crowd from the orderly assembly of God's people. It ironically contrasts the chaotic gathering motivated by greed and pagan devotion with the spiritual assembly united in Christ.

• "And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly":

  • This entire phrase signifies the definitive and successful conclusion to the intense civil unrest. The transition from tumultuous riot to peaceable dispersal demonstrates the power of reasoned authority over mob rule.
  • It illustrates divine providence operating through secular governance, safeguarding Paul and enabling the Gospel's continued advancement, showing that God's plans can even be accomplished through non-believing authorities.

Acts 19 41 Bonus section

• Significance of the Town Clerk's Role: The "grammateus" (town clerk) in Ephesus was a powerful figure, serving as the official conduit between the city and the Roman authorities. His intervention was crucial because uncontrolled riots could lead to the revocation of Ephesus's status as a free city by Rome, a severe punishment for any independent polis. His primary motivation was civic order and protecting the city's standing.
• God's Overruling Providence: The entire incident demonstrates how God, in His providence, can use the legal and political structures of a pagan society to protect His people and further His kingdom, even through individuals who may have no belief in Him.
• Literary Foreshadowing: The events in Ephesus, with Paul facing mob opposition that requires Roman official intervention, foreshadow later similar experiences Paul would have in Jerusalem and elsewhere (e.g., Acts 21:30-36; 23:10), where Roman authority becomes his unexpected protector.

Acts 19 41 Commentary

Acts 19:41 provides the swift and definitive conclusion to the dangerous Ephesian riot. The town clerk's intervention was a masterclass in civic diplomacy, using a blend of logic, legal argument, and veiled threats of Roman reprisal to successfully diffuse an extremely volatile situation. His formal act of "dismissing the assembly" was not merely a suggestion, but an authoritative decree, immediately restoring peace and order to a city on the brink of widespread unrest. This outcome serves as a powerful testament to God's overarching sovereignty; He often employs secular authorities and unexpected means to protect His servants and ensure the unhindered proclamation of His Gospel. It underscores the biblical principle of respect for lawful governmental authority (Rom 13:1), and exemplifies how the church can flourish even in environments of profound pagan opposition, through God's protective hand and the judicious use of wisdom by His people. The verse is a concise summary of chaos being decisively quelled, preparing the way for further Christian ministry.