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19:21-41 And when
these things were completed Paul decided within his spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem. He was saying "What should I
do? It behoves
me to see Rome
as well." And sending two of
the people ministering to him, that is Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia he stayed for a time in Asia. Now
there was at about that time no small amount of trouble concerning 'the way'. There was someone called Demetrius who
was a silversmith. He made silver
shrines of Artemis and provided the artisans with no small amount of trade. He assembled the workmen connected with
this and said "Men you understand that this trade is our
livelihood. You see and hear that
not only in Ephesus
but in almost all of Asia Paul has persuaded a considerable crowd of people
saying that what we make are not gods.
Now this is endangers our livelihood bringing it into disrepute. Also the temple of the great goddess
Artemis is reckoned as nothing and her greatness is diminished. Yet all of Asia
and the inhabited earth worship her.
On hearing (this) and becoming full of anger they (the workmen) cried
out saying "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians." Thus the city was filled with confusion
and they (the crowd) rushed with one mind into the theatre keeping a firm
grip on the Macedonians, Gaius and Aristarchus; who were traveling
companions of Paul. Paul intended to
go into the mob but the disciples would not allow him. There were also some of the Asiarchs who
were his friends who
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sent
messages to him and begged him not to go into the theatre himself. Others indeed cried out something
different. For the assembly was in confusion and most people did not know
why they had come together. Some of
the crowd instructed Alexander whom
the Jews put forward (to speak to the crowd). Alexander waved his hand wanting to make
a defence. But knowing that he was a
Jew there was the one voice from all, over a period of about two hours,
crying out "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians." (Eventually) the town clerk quietened
the crowd saying "Fellow Ephesians who indeed amongst men does not
know that (people of) the city of the Ephesians are not the temple wardens
of the great Artemis and the image that has fallen from the sky? These things are undeniable and
necessary. Therefore you should be
quiet and do nothing rash. You have
brought these men here and they are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers
against your goddess. If therefore
Demetrius and those artisans with him have an account against anyone, the
courts are held and proconsuls are there.
Let them bring a charge against (these men). But if there is anything further that you
want, it will be settled in the lawful assembly. Indeed we are in danger of being charged
with insurrection to-day (by the Romans).
For there is no cause of concern that we can account for to justify
(all) this commotion.) And so, after saying these things he dismissed the
assembly.
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