Add parallel Print Page Options

Paul Plans a Trip

21 After this, Paul made plans to go to Jerusalem. He planned to go through the regions of Macedonia and Achaia, and then go to Jerusalem. He thought, “After I visit Jerusalem, I must also visit Rome.” 22 Timothy and Erastus were two of his helpers. Paul sent them ahead to Macedonia. But he stayed in Asia for a while.

Trouble in Ephesus

23 But during that time there was some trouble in Ephesus about the Way. This is how it all happened: 24 There was a man named Demetrius. He worked with silver. He made little silver models that looked like the temple of the goddess Artemis. The men who did this work made a lot of money.

25 Demetrius had a meeting with these men and some others who did the same kind of work. He told them, “Men, you know that we make a lot of money from our business. 26 But look at what this man Paul is doing. Listen to what he is saying. He has convinced many people in Ephesus and all over Asia to change their religion. He says the gods that people make by hand are not real. 27 I’m afraid this is going to turn people against our business. But there is also another problem. People will begin to think that the temple of the great goddess Artemis is not important. Her greatness will be destroyed. And Artemis is the goddess that everyone in Asia and the whole world worships.”

28 When the men heard this, they became very angry. They shouted, “Great is Artemis, the goddess of Ephesus!” 29 The whole city was thrown into confusion. The people grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus, men from Macedonia who were traveling with Paul, and rushed all together into the stadium. 30 Paul wanted to go in and talk to the people, but the Lord’s followers did not let him go. 31 Also, some leaders of the country who were friends of Paul sent him a message telling him not to go into the stadium.

32 Some people were shouting one thing and others were shouting something else. The meeting was very confused. Most of the people did not know why they had come there. 33 Some Jews made a man named Alexander stand before the crowd, and they told him what to say. Alexander waved his hand, trying to explain things to the people. 34 But when the people saw that Alexander was a Jew, they all began shouting the same thing. For two hours they continued shouting, “Great is Artemis of Ephesus! Great is Artemis of Ephesus! Great is Artemis …!”

35 Then the city clerk persuaded the people to be quiet. He said, “Men of Ephesus, everyone knows that Ephesus is the city that keeps the temple of the great goddess Artemis. Everyone knows that we also keep her holy rock.[a] 36 No one can deny this, so you should be quiet. You must stop and think before you do anything else.

37 “You brought these men[b] here, but they have not said anything bad against our goddess. They have not stolen anything from her temple. 38 We have courts of law and there are judges. Do Demetrius and those men who work with him have a charge against anyone? They should go to the courts. Let them argue with each other there.

39 “Is there something else you want to talk about? Then come to the regular town meeting of the people. It can be decided there. 40 I say this because someone might see this trouble today and say we are rioting. We could not explain all this trouble, because there is no real reason for this meeting.” 41 After the city clerk said this, he told the people to go home.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Acts 19:35 holy rock Probably a meteorite or rock that the people thought looked like Artemis and worshiped.
  2. Acts 19:37 men Gaius and Aristarchus, the men traveling with Paul.

Bible Gateway Recommends

Holy Bible Easy to Read Version (ERV) English Green/Tan (Duotone)
Holy Bible Easy to Read Version (ERV) English Green/Tan (Duotone)
Retail: $18.99
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $5.00 (26%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
Kannada Bible with References
Kannada Bible with References
Retail: $23.99
Our Price: $21.49
Save: $2.50 (10%)
PDT Children's Softcover Bible
PDT Children's Softcover Bible
Retail: $10.99
Our Price: $8.49
Save: $2.50 (23%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
ERV Paperback Bible, Case of 28
ERV Paperback Bible, Case of 28
Retail: $195.72
Our Price: $139.72
Save: $56.00 (29%)
ERV Duotone Bible, Blue/Grey
ERV Duotone Bible, Blue/Grey
Retail: $18.99
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $5.00 (26%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ERV Duotone Bible, Blue/Grey - Case of 24
ERV Duotone Bible, Blue/Grey - Case of 24
Retail: $455.76
Our Price: $334.99
Save: $120.77 (26%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars