1Es geschahG1096 aberG1161, während ApollosG625 inG1722 KorinthG2882 warG1511, daß PaulusG3972, nachdem er die oberenG510 GegendenG3313 durchzogenG1330 hatte, nachG1519 EphesusG2181 kamG2064. UndG2532 er fandG2147 etlicheG5100 JüngerG3101 2und sprachG2036 zuG4314 ihnenG846: HabtG1487 ihr den HeiligenG40 GeistG4151 empfangenG2983, nachdem ihr gläubigG4100 geworden seid? Sie aberG1161 [sprachen]G2036 zuG4314 ihmG846: Wir habenG191 nicht einmalG3761 gehörtG191, obG1487 der HeiligeG40 GeistG4151 istG2076. 3UndG5037 er sprachG2036: WoraufG1519 G5101 seidG907 ihr dennG3767 getauftG907 worden? Sie aberG1161 sagtenG2036: AufG1519 die TaufeG908 Johannes'G2491. 4PaulusG3972 aberG1161 sprachG2036: JohannesG2491 hatG907 mit der TaufeG908 der BußeG3341 getauftG907, indem er dem VolkeG2992 sagteG3004, daßG2443 sie anG1519 den glaubenG4100 sollten, der nachG3326 ihmG846 kämeG2064, dasG5123 ist anG1519 JesumG2424. 5Als sie es aberG1161 gehörtG191 hatten, wurdenG907 sie aufG1519 den NamenG3686 des HerrnG2962 JesuG2424 getauftG907; 6undG2532 als PaulusG3972 ihnenG846 die HändeG5495 aufgelegtG2007 hatte, kamG2064 der HeiligeG40 GeistG4151 aufG1909 sieG846, undG5037 sie redetenG2980 in SprachenG1100 undG2532 weissagtenG4395. 7Es warenG2258 aberG1161 insgesamtG3956 etwaG5616 zwölfG1177 MännerG435. 8Er gingG1525 aberG1161 inG1519 die SynagogeG4864 und sprach freimütigG3955 dreiG5140 MonateG3376 langG1909, indem er sich unterredeteG1256 undG2532 sie von den DingenG4012 des ReichesG932 GottesG2316 überzeugteG3982. 9AlsG5613 aberG1161 etlicheG5100 sich verhärtetenG4645 undG2532 nicht glaubtenG544 und vorG1799 der MengeG4128 übel redetenG2551 von dem WegeG3598, trennte er sichG868 vonG575 ihnenG846 und sonderteG873 die JüngerG3101 abG873, indem er sichG1256 täglichG2596 G2250 inG1722 der SchuleG4981 desG5100 TyrannusG5181 unterredeteG1256. 10DiesG5124 aberG1161 geschahG1096 zweiG1417 JahreG2094 langG1909, so daßG5620 alleG3956, die in AsienG773 wohntenG2730, sowohlG5037 JudenG2453 alsG2532 GriechenG1672, das WortG3056 des HerrnG2962 hörtenG191. 11UndG5037 nichtG3756 gemeineG5177 WunderwerkeG1411 tatG4160 GottG2316 durchG1223 die HändeG5495 des PaulusG3972, 12so daßG5620 man sogarG2532 SchweißtücherG4676 oderG2228 SchürzenG4612 vonG575 seinemG846 LeibeG5559 wegG575 aufG1909 die KrankenG770 legteG2018, undG2532 die KrankheitenG3554 vonG575 ihnenG846 wichenG525 undG5037 die bösenG4190 GeisterG4151 ausfuhrenG1831. 13AberG1161 auch etlicheG5100 voG575 n den umherziehendenG4022 jüdischenG2453 BeschwörernG1845 unternahmenG2021 es, überG1909 die, welche böseG4190 GeisterG4151 hattenG2192, den NamenG3686 des HerrnG2962 JesuG2424 anzurufenG3687, indem sie sagtenG3004: Ich beschwöreG3726 euchG5209 bei dem JesusG2424, welchenG3739 PaulusG3972 predigtG2784! 14Es warenG2258 aberG1161 gewisseG5100 SöhneG5207 eines jüdischenG2453 HohenpriestersG749 SkevaG4630, ihrer siebenG2033, die diesG5124 tatenG4160. 15Der böseG4190 GeistG4151 aberG1161 antworteteG611 und sprachG2036 zu ihnen: JesumG2424 kenneG1097 ich, undG2532 von PaulusG3972 weißG1987 ich; aberG1161 ihr, werG5101 seidG2075 ihrG5210 ? 16UndG2532 der MenschG444, inG1722 welchemG3739 der böseG4190 GeistG4151 warG2258, sprangG2177 aufG1909 sieG846 losG2177 undG2532 bemeisterte sichG2480 G2596 beiderG846 und überwältigteG2634 sieG846, so daßG5620 sie nacktG1131 undG2532 verwundetG5135 ausG1537 jenemG1565 HauseG3624 entflohenG1628. 17DiesG5124 aberG1161 wurdeG1096 allenG3956 bekanntG1110, sowohlG2532 JudenG2453 alsG5037 GriechenG1672, die zu EphesusG2181 wohntenG2730; undG2532 FurchtG5401 fielG1968 aufG1909 sieG846 alleG3956, undG2532 der NameG3686 des HerrnG2962 JesuG2424 wurde erhobenG3170. 18VieleG4183 aberG5037 von denen, die gläubigG4100 geworden waren, kamenG2064 und bekanntenG1843 undG2532 verkündigtenG312 ihreG846 TatenG4234. 19VieleG2425 aberG1161 von denenG846, welche vorwitzige KünsteG4021 getriebenG4238 hatten, trugenG4851 die BücherG976 zusammenG4851 und verbranntenG2618 sie vorG1799 allenG3956; undG2532 sie berechnetenG4860 den WertG5092 derselbenG846 undG2532 fandenG2147 ihn zu fünfzigtausendG4002 G3461 Stück SilberG694. 20AlsoG3779 wuchsG837 das WortG3056 des HerrnG2962 mitG2596 MachtG2904 undG2532 nahm überhandG2480. 21AlsG5613 diesG5023 aberG1161 erfülltG4137 war, setzte sichG5087 PaulusG3972 inG1722 seinem GeisteG4151 vorG5087, nachdem er MacedonienG3109 undG2532 AchajaG882 durchzogenG1330 habe, nachG1519 JerusalemG2419 zu reisenG4198, und sprachG2036: NachdemG3754 G3326 ichG3165 dortG1563 gewesenG1096 bin, mußG1163 ichG3165 auchG2532 RomG4516 sehenG1492. 22Er sandteG649 aberG1161 zweiG1417 von denen, die ihmG846 dientenG1247, TimotheusG5095 undG2532 ErastusG2037, nachG1519 MacedonienG3109, und er selbstG846 verweilteG1907 eine ZeitlangG5550 inG1519 AsienG773. 23Es entstandG1096 aberG1161 umG2596 jeneG1565 ZeitG2540 ein nichtG3756 geringerG3641 LärmG5017 betreffsG4012 des WegesG3598. 24DennG1063 ein GewisserG5100, mit NamenG3686 DemetriusG1216, ein SilberschmiedG695, der silberneG693 TempelG3485 der ArtemisG735 machteG4160, verschaffteG3930 den KünstlernG5079 nichtG3756 geringenG3641 ErwerbG2039; 25undG2532 nachdem er dieseG3739 samt den ArbeiternG2040 derartigerG4012 DingeG5108 versammeltG4867 hatte, sprachG2036 er: MännerG435, ihr wissetG1987, daßG3754 ausG1537 diesemG5026 ErwerbG2039 unserG2257 WohlstandG2142 istG2076; 26undG2532 ihr sehetG2334 undG2532 höretG191, daßG3754 dieserG3778 PaulusG3972 nichtG3756 alleinG3440 von EphesusG2181, sondernG235 beinaheG4975 von ganzG3956 AsienG773 eine großeG2425 VolksmengeG3793 überredetG3982 und abgewandtG3179 hat, indem er sagtG3004, daßG3754 das keineG3756 GötterG2316 seienG1526, dieG3588 mitG1223 HändenG5495 gemachtG1096 werden. 27NichtG3756 alleinG3440 aberG1161 ist für unsG2254 GefahrG2793, daß diesesG5124 GeschäftG3313 inG1519 VerachtungG557 kommeG2064, sondernG235 auchG2532 daß der TempelG2411 der großenG3173 GöttinG2299 ArtemisG735 fürG1519 nichtsG3762 geachtetG3049 undG2532 auchG1161 ihreG846 MajestätG3168, welcheG3739 ganzG3650 AsienG773 undG2532 der ErdkreisG3625 verehrtG4576, vernichtetG2507 werdeG3195. 28Als sie aberG1161 das hörtenG191 undG2532 vollG4134 WutG2372 wurdenG1096, schrieenG2896 sie und sagtenG3004: GroßG3173 ist die ArtemisG735 der EpheserG2180! 29UndG2532 die [ganze]G3650 StadtG4172 gerietG4130 in VerwirrungG4799; undG5037 sie stürmtenG3729 einmütigG3661 nachG1519 dem TheaterG2302, indem sie die MacedonierG3110 GajusG1050 undG2532 AristarchusG708, die ReisegefährtenG4898 des PaulusG3972, mit fortrissenG4884. 30AlsG1014 aberG1161 PaulusG3972 unterG1519 das VolkG1218 gehenG1525 wollteG1014, ließenG1439 die JüngerG3101 es ihmG846 nichtG3756 zuG1439. 31UndG2532 auchG1161 etlicheG5100 der AsiarchenG775, die seineG846 FreundeG5384 warenG5607, sandtenG3992 zuG4314 ihmG846 und batenG3870 ihn, sichG1438 nichtG3361 nachG1519 dem TheaterG2302 zu begebenG1325. 32Die einenG243 nunG3767 G3303 schrieenG2896 diesesG5100, die anderenG243 jenes; dennG1063 die VersammlungG1577 warG2258 in VerwirrungG4797, undG2532 die meistenG4119 wußtenG1492 nichtG3756, weshalbG5101 G1752 sie zusammengekommenG4905 waren. 33Sie zogenG4264 aberG1161 AlexanderG223 ausG1537 der VolksmengeG3793 hervorG4264, indem die JudenG2453 ihnG846 hervorstießenG4261. AlexanderG223 aberG1161 winkteG2678 mit der HandG5495 und wollteG2309 sichG626 vor dem VolkeG1218 verantwortenG626. 34Als sie aberG1161 erkanntenG1921, daßG3754 er ein JudeG2453 warG2076, erhob sichG1096 eineG3391 StimmeG5456 ausG1537 allerG3956 Mund, und sie schrieenG2896 beiG5613 G1909 zweiG1417 StundenG5610: GroßG3173 ist die ArtemisG735 der EpheserG2180! 35Als aberG1161 der StadtschreiberG1122 die VolksmengeG3793 beruhigtG2687 hatte, sprichtG5346 er: MännerG435 von EphesusG2180, welcherG5101 MenschG444 istG2076 dennG1063, derG3739 nichtG3756 wisseG1097, daß die StadtG4172 der EpheserG2180 eine TempelpflegerinG3511 der großenG3173 ArtemisG735 undG2532 des vom Himmel gefallenen BildesG1356 istG5607 ? 36DaG5607 nunG3767 diesesG5130 unwidersprechlichG368 ist, so geziemtG1163 G2076 es euchG5209, ruhigG2687 zu seinG5225 undG2532 nichtsG3367 ÜbereiltesG4312 zu tunG4238. 37DennG1063 ihr habtG71 dieseG5128 MännerG435 hergeführtG71, die wederG3777 TempelräuberG2417 sind, nochG3777 eureG5216 GöttinG2299 lästernG987. 38WennG1487 nunG3767 G3303 DemetriusG1216 undG2532 die KünstlerG5079 mitG4862 ihmG846 widerG4314 jemandenG5100 eine SacheG3056 habenG2192, so werdenG71 GerichtstageG60 gehaltenG71, undG2532 es sindG1526 StatthalterG446 daG1526; laßt sie sichG1458 einanderG240 verklagenG1458. 39WennG1487 ihr aberG1161 wegenG4012 andererG5100 DingeG2087 ein GesuchG1934 habt, so wirdG1956 es inG1722 der gesetzlichenG1772 VersammlungG1577 erledigtG1956 werden. 40DennG1063 wir sindG2793 auchG2532 in GefahrG2793, wegenG4012 heuteG4594 des AufruhrsG4714 angeklagtG1458 zu werden, indem es keineG3367 UrsacheG158 gibtG5225, weswegenG4012 G3739 wir uns über diesenG5026 AuflaufG4963 werden verantwortenG591 G3056 könnenG1410. 41UndG2532 als er diesG5023 gesagtG2036 hatte, entließG630 er die VersammlungG1577.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 SIGNAL SUCCESS OF PAUL AT EPHESUS. (Acts 19:1-41)
while Apollos was at Corinth--where his ministry was so powerful that a formidable party in the Church of that city gloried in his type of preaching in preference to Paul's (
1Cor 1:12;
1Cor 3:4), no doubt from the marked infusion of Greek philosophic culture which distinguished it, and which the apostle studiously avoided (
1Cor 2:1-5).
Paul having passed through the upper coasts--"parts," the interior of Asia Minor, which, with reference to the seacoast, was elevated.
came to Ephesus--thus fulfilling his promise (
Acts 18:21).
finding certain disciples--in the same stage of Christian knowledge as Apollos at first, newly arrived, probably, and having had no communication as yet with the church at Ephesus.
2 Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?--rather, "Received ye the Holy Ghost when ye believed?" implying, certainly, that the one did not of necessity carry the other along with it (see on
Acts 8:14-
Acts 8:17). Why this question was asked, we cannot tell; but it was probably in consequence of something that passed between them from which the apostle was led to suspect the imperfection of their light.
We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost--This cannot be the meaning, since the personality and office of the Holy Ghost, in connection with Christ, formed an especial subject of the Baptist's teaching. Literally, the words are, "We did not even hear whether the Holy Ghost was (given)"; meaning, at the time of their baptism. That the word "given" is the right supplement, as in
John 7:39, seems plain from the nature of the case.
4 Then said Paul, John . . . baptized with the baptism of repentance--water unto repentance.
saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him--that is, who should baptize with the Holy Ghost. The point of contrast is not between John and Christ personally, but between the water baptism of John unto repentance, and the promised baptism of the Spirit from the hands of his coming Master unto new life. As to all the facts, or at least the significancy, of this baptism, which made the whole life and work of Christ another thing from what it was conceived to be before it was vouchsafed, these simple disciples were unenlightened.
5 When they heard this--not the mere words reported in
Acts 19:4, but the subject expounded according to the tenor of those words.
they were baptized--not however by Paul himself (
1Cor 1:14).
in the name of the Lord Jesus--into the whole fulness of the new economy, as now opened up to their believing minds.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them . . . they spake with tongues, &c.--See on
Acts 10:44-
Acts 10:45.
8 he went into the synagogue and spake boldly for . . . three months, &c.--See on
Acts 17:2-
Acts 17:3.
9 when divers--"some."
were hardened, &c.--implying that others, probably a large number, believed.
spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed--from the synagogue, as at Corinth (
Acts 18:7).
and separated the disciples--withdrawing to a separate place of meeting, for the sake both of the converts already made, and the unsophisticated multitude.
disputing--"discoursing" or "discussing."
daily in the school--or lecture hall.
of one Tyrannus--probably a converted teacher of rhetoric or philosophy.
10 this continued . . . two years--in addition to the former three months. See on
Acts 20:31. But during some part of this period he must have paid a second unrecorded visit to Corinth, since the one next recorded (see on
Acts 20:2-
Acts 20:3) is twice called his third visit (
2Cor 12:14;
2Cor 13:1). See on
2Cor 1:15-16, which might seem inconsistent with this. The passage across was quite a short one (see on
Acts 18:19) --Towards the close of this long stay at Ephesus, as we learn from
1Cor 16:8, he wrote his FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS; also (though on this opinions are divided) the EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS. (See Introduction to First Corinthians, and Introduction to Galatians). And just as at Corinth his greatest success was after his withdrawal to a separate place of meeting (
Acts 18:7-
Acts 18:10), so at Ephesus.
so that all they which dwelt in--the Roman province of
Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks--This is the "great door and effectual opened unto him" while resident at Ephesus (
1Cor 16:9), which induced him to make it his headquarters for so long a period. The unwearied and varied character of his labors here are best seen in his own subsequent address to the elders of Ephesus (
Acts 20:17, &c.). And thus Ephesus became the "ecclesiastical center for the entire region, as indeed it remained for a very long period" [BAUMGARTEN]. Churches arose at Colosse, Laodicea, and Hierapolis eastward, either through his own labors or those of his faithful helpers whom he sent out in different directions, Epaphras, Archippus, Philemon (
Col 1:7;
Col 4:12-
Col 4:17;
Phlm 1:23).
11 God wrought special--no ordinary
miracles by the hands of Paul--implying that he had not been accustomed to work such.
12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, &c.--Compare
Acts 5:15-
Acts 5:16, very different from the magical acts practiced at Ephesus. "God wrought these miracles" merely "by the hands of Paul"; and the very exorcists (
Acts 19:13), observing that the name of Jesus was the secret of all his miracles, hoped, by aping him in this, to be equally successful; while the result of all in the "magnifying of the Lord Jesus" (
Acts 19:17) showed that in working them the apostle took care to hold up Him whom he preached as the source of all the miracles which he wrought.
13 vagabond Jews--simply, "wandering Jews," who went from place to place practicing exorcism, or the art of conjuring evil spirits to depart out of the possessed. That such a power did exist, for some time at least, seems implied in
Matt 12:27. But no doubt this would breed imposture; and the present case is very different from that referred to in
Luke 9:49-
Luke 9:50.
We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth--a striking testimony to the power of Christ's name in Paul's mouth.
14 seven sons of . . . Sceva . . . chief of the priests--head, possibly, of one of the twenty-four courts.
15 the evil spirit answered, Jesus I know--"recognize."
and Paul I know--"know intimately," in contrast to them, whom he altogether disowns.
but who are ye?
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was--Mark the clear line of demarcation here between "the evil spirit which answered and said" and "the man in whom the evil spirit was." The reality of such possessions could not be more clearly expressed.
leaped on them . . . so that they fled . . . naked and wounded--This was so appalling a testimony at once against those profane impostors and in favor of Paul and the Master whom he preached, that we wonder not that it spread to "all the Jews and Greeks at Ephesus, that fear fell on them," and that "the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified."
18 many that believed came and confessed . . . their deeds--the dupes of magicians, &c., acknowledging how shamefully they had been deluded, and how deeply they had allowed themselves to be implicated in such practices.
19 Many of them . . . which used curious arts--The word signifies things "overdone"; significantly applied to arts in which laborious but senseless incantations are practiced.
brought their books--containing the mystic formularies.
and burned them before all--The tense, here used graphically, expresses progress and continuance of the conflagration.
counted the price . . . and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver--about Ł2000 (presuming it to be the drachma, the current coin of the Levant, of about 10d. value). From their nature they would be costly, and books then bore a value above any standard we are familiar with. The scene must have been long remembered at Ephesus, as a strong proof of honest conviction on the part of the sorcerers and a striking triumph of Jesus Christ over the powers of darkness. The workers of evil were put to scorn, like Baal's priests on Carmel, and the word of God mightily grew and prevailed [HOWSON].
21 After these things were ended--completed, implying something like a natural finish to his long period of labor at Ephesus.
Paul purposed . . . when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem . . . After I have been there, I must also see Rome--Mark here the vastness of the apostle's missionary plans. They were all fulfilled, though he "saw Rome" only as a prisoner.
22 So he sent into Macedonia . . . Timotheus and Erastus--as his pioneers, in part to bring "them into remembrance of his ways which were in Christ" (
1Cor 4:17;
1Cor 16:10), partly to convey his mind on various matters. After a brief stay he was to return (
1Cor 16:11). It is very unlikely that this Erastus was "the chamberlain of the city" of Corinth, of that name (
Rom 16:23).
he himself stayed in--the province of
Asia for a season--that is, at Ephesus, its chief city. (Asia is mentioned in contrast with Macedonia in the previous clause).
23 the same time--of Paul's proposed departure.
about that--"the"
way--So the new religion seemed then to be designated (
Acts 9:2;
Acts 22:4;
Acts 24:14).
24 silver shrines for--"of"
Diana--small models of the Ephesian temple and of the shrine or chapel of the goddess, or of the shrine and statue alone, which were purchased by visitors as memorials of what they had seen, and were carried about and deposited in houses as a charm. (The models of the chapel of our Lady of Loretto, and such like, which the Church of Rome systematically encourages, are such a palpable imitation of this heathen practice that it is no wonder it should be regarded by impartial judges as Christianity paganized).
gain to the craftsmen--the master-artificers.
25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation--rather, "with the workmen (or fabricators) of such articles," meaning the artisans employed by the master-artificers, all who manufactured any kind of memorial of the temple and its worship for sale.
26 ye see and hear--The evidences of it were to be seen, and the report of it was in everybody's mouth.
that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath . . . turned away much people--Noble testimony this to the extent of Paul's influence!
saying that they be no gods which are made with hands--The universal belief of the people was that they were gods, though the more intelligent regarded them only as habitations of Deity, and some, probably, as mere aids to devotion. It is exactly so in the Church of Rome.
27 So that not only this our craft is in danger . . . but, &c.--that is, "that indeed is a small matter; but there is something far worse." So the masters of the poor Pythoness put forward the religious revolution which Paul was attempting to effect at Philippi, as the sole cause of their zealous alarm, to cloak the self-interest which they felt to be touched by his success (
Acts 16:19-
Acts 16:21). In both cases religious zeal was the hypocritical pretext; self-interest, the real moving cause of the opposition made.
also the temple of the great goddess Diana . . . despised, and her magnificence . . . destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth--It was reckoned one of the wonders of the world. It was built about 550 B.C., of pure white marble, and though burned by a fanatic on the night of the birth of Alexander the Great, 356 B.C., was rebuilt with more splendor than before. It was four hundred twenty-five feet long by two hundred twenty broad, and the columns, one hundred twenty-seven in number, were sixty feet in height, each of them the gift of a king, and thirty-six of them enriched with ornament and color. It was constantly receiving new decorations and additional buildings, statues, and pictures by the most celebrated artists, and kindled unparalleled admiration, enthusiasm, and superstition. Its very site is now a matter of uncertainty. The little wooden image of Diana was as primitive and rude as its shrine was sumptuous; not like the Greek Diana, in the form of an imposing huntress, but quite Asiatic, in the form of a many-breasted female (emblematic of the manifold ministrations of Nature to man), terminating in a shapeless block. Like some other far-famed idols, it was believed to have fallen from heaven (
Acts 19:35), and models of it were not only sold in immense numbers to private persons, but set up for worship in other cities [HOWSON]. What power must have attended the preaching of that one man by whom the death blow was felt to be given to their gigantic and witching superstition!
28 Great is Diana of the Ephesians--the civic cry of a populace so proud of their temple that they refused to inscribe on it the name of Alexander the Great, though he offered them the whole spoil of his Eastern campaign if they would do it [STRABO in HOWSON].
29 having caught Gaius and Aristarchus--disappointed of Paul, as at Thessalonica (
Acts 17:5-
Acts 17:6). They are mentioned in
Acts 20:4;
Acts 27:2;
Rom 16:23;
1Cor 1:14; and probably
3John 1:1. If it was in the house of Aquila and Priscilla that he found an asylum (see
1Cor 16:9), that would explain
Rom 16:3-
Rom 16:4, where he says of them that "for his life they laid down their own necks" [HOWSON].
rushed . . . into the theatre--a vast pile, whose ruins are even now a wreck of immense grandeur [SIR C. FELLOWES, Asia Minor, 1839].
30 when Paul would have entered in--with noble forgetfulness of self.
unto the people--the demos, that is, the people met in public assembly.
the disciples suffered him not--The tense used implies only that they were using their efforts to restrain him; which might have been unavailing but for what follows.
31 And certain of the chief of Asia--literally, "And certain also of the Asiarchs." These were wealthy and distinguished citizens of the principal towns of the Asian province, chosen annually, and ten of whom were selected by the proconsul to preside over the games celebrated in the month of May (the same month which Romanism dedicates to the Virgin). It was an office of the highest honor and greatly coveted. Certain of these, it seems, were favorably inclined to the Gospel, at least were Paul's "friends," and knowing the passions of a mob, excited during the festivals, "sent (a message) to him desiring him not to adventure himself into the theater."
33 they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward--rather, "some of the multitude urged forward Alexander, the Jews thrusting him forward." As the blame of such a tumult would naturally be thrown upon the Jews, who were regarded by the Romans as the authors of all religious disturbances, they seem to have put forward this man to clear them of all responsibility for the riot. (BENGEL'S conjecture, that this was Alexander the coppersmith,
2Tim 4:14, has little to support it).
beckoned with the hand--compare
Acts 13:16;
Acts 21:40.
would have made his defence--"offered to speak in defense."
34 But when they knew he was a Jew, all with one voice, for the space of two hours, cried out, Great is Diana, &c.--The very appearance of a Jew had the opposite effect to that intended. To prevent him obtaining a hearing, they drowned his voice in one tumultuous shout in honor of their goddess, which rose to such frantic enthusiasm as took two hours to exhaust itself.
35 when the town-clerk--keeper of the public archives, and a magistrate of great authority.
had appeased--"calmed."
the people--"the multitude," which the very presence of such an officer would go far to do.
he said . . . what man . . . knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana--literally, the neocoros or "warden." The word means "temple-sweeper"; then, "temple-guardian." Thirteen cities of Asia had an interest in the temple, but Ephesus was honored with the charge of it. (Various cities have claimed this title with reference to the Virgin or certain saints) [WEBSTER and WILKINSON].
and of the image which fell down from Jupiter--"from the sky" or "from heaven." See on
Acts 19:27. "With this we may compare various legends concerning images and pictures in the Romish Church, such as the traditional likenesses of Christ, which were said to be "not made with hands"" [WEBSTER and WILKINSON].
36 Seeing that these things cannot be spoken against, &c.--Like a true legal man, he urges that such was notoriously the constitution and fixed character of the city, with which its very existence was all but bound up. Did they suppose that all this was going to be overturned by a set of itinerant orators? Ridiculous! What did they mean, then, by raising such a stir?
37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches--"temple-plunderers," or sacrilegious persons.
nor yet blasphemers of your goddess--This is a remarkable testimony, showing that the apostle had, in preaching against idolatry, studiously avoided (as at Athens) insulting the feelings of those whom he addressed--a lesson this to missionaries and ministers in general.
38 if Demetrius have a matter--of complaint.
against any man, the law is open--rather, "the court days are being held."
and there are deputies--literally "proconsuls" (see on
Acts 13:7); that is, probably, the proconsul and his council, as a court of appeal.
39 if ye inquire--"have any question."
concerning other matters--of a public nature.
40 For we--the public authorities.
are in danger of being called in question--by our superiors.
