And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all [men] every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, [Ye] men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter?
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Commentary for Acts 19:28
Acts 19:28 is a verse set within the larger context of the New Testament's Acts of the Apostles, which details the early Christian church's growth and the missionary journeys of the Apostles, particularly Paul. This verse captures a moment of intense religious and cultural conflict in the city of Ephesus, a significant center for the worship of the goddess Diana (or Artemis in Greek mythology).
In the surrounding verses, a silversmith named Demetrius stirs up a crowd by pointing out the threat that the Apostle Paul's preaching of Christianity poses to their livelihood, which was closely tied to the production of silver shrines for Diana. The verse in question, Acts 19:28, reflects the reaction of the crowd to Demetrius's speech. They respond with anger and affirm their allegiance to Diana, whose temple in Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Their outcry, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians," underscores the deep religious devotion and economic interest that fueled their opposition to the Christian message.
The themes present in this verse include religious fervor, economic concern, and the tension between the burgeoning Christian faith and the established pagan religions of the time. It illustrates how the spread of Christianity was often met with resistance, particularly when it threatened existing cultural practices and economic structures. This event in Ephesus is emblematic of the broader challenges faced by early Christians as they sought to spread their faith in a diverse and religiously pluralistic Roman Empire. The verse also highlights the interconnectedness of religion and commerce in the ancient world, showing how changes in religious belief could have significant socioeconomic repercussions.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: G1161 There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: δέ Transliteration: dé Pronunciation: deh Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Strong's Number: G191 There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἀκούω Transliteration: akoúō Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
Strong's Number: G1096 There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: γίνομαι Transliteration: gínomai Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
Strong's Number: G4134 There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: πλήρης Transliteration: plḗrēs Pronunciation: play'-race Description: from πλήθω; replete, or covered over; by analogy, complete:--full.
Strong's Number: G2372 There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: θυμός Transliteration: thymós Pronunciation: thoo-mos' Description: from θύω; passion (as if breathing hard):--fierceness, indignation, wrath. Compare ψυχή.
Strong's Number: G2532 There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: καί Transliteration: kaí Pronunciation: kahee Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G2896 There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: κράζω Transliteration: krázō Pronunciation: krad'-zo Description: a primary verb; properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e. (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat):--cry (out).
Strong's Number: G3004 There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: λέγω Transliteration: légō Pronunciation: leg'-o Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Strong's Number: G3173 There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: μέγας Transliteration: mégas Pronunciation: meg'-as Description: (including the prolonged forms, feminine , plural , etc.; compare also μέγιστος, μείζων); big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application):--(+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.
Strong's Number: G735 There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: Ἄρτεμις Transliteration: Ártemis Pronunciation: ar'-tem-is Description: probably from the same as ἀρτέμων; prompt; Artemis, the name of a Grecian goddess borrowed by the Asiatics for one of their deities:--Diana.
Strong's Number: G2180 There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: Ἐφέσιος Transliteration: Ephésios Pronunciation: ef-es'-ee-os Description: from Ἔφεσος; an Ephesian or inhabitant of Ephesus:--Ephesian, of Ephesus.