Acts 19:35

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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?

Complete Jewish Bible:

At last, the city clerk was able to quiet the crowd. “Men of Ephesus!” he said, “Is there anyone who doesn’t know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone which fell from the sky?

Berean Standard Bible:

Finally the city clerk quieted the crowd and declared, “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t everyone know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?

American Standard Version:

And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} when the townclerk^{G1122} had appeased^{G2687} the people^{G3793}, he said^{G5346}, Ye men^{G435} of Ephesus^{G2180}, what^{G5101}^{G1063} man^{G444} is there^{G2076} that^{G3739} knoweth^{G1097} not^{G3756} how that the city^{G4172} of the Ephesians^{G2180} is^{G5607} a worshipper^{G3511} of the great^{G3173} goddess^{G2299} Diana^{G735}, and^{G2532} of the image which fell down from Jupiter^{G1356}?

Cross-References (KJV):

2 Thessalonians 2:10

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:11

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

1 Timothy 4:2

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Ephesians 2:12

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Acts 14:12

And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

Acts 14:13

Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

Acts 18:19

And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

Commentary for Acts 19:35

Acts 19:35 is set within the broader context of the New Testament, during the apostolic era when the early Christian Church was rapidly expanding. The verse is part of a narrative describing a riot in the city of Ephesus, which was a significant city in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey). Ephesus was renowned for its temple to the goddess Artemis (Diana in Latin), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The silversmiths of the city, who made a lucrative business crafting silver shrines and statuettes of Artemis, incited a crowd against the apostle Paul because his preaching of Christianity was diminishing their profits and threatening the worship of their patron deity.

In Acts 19:35, the town clerk, or public official, addresses the Ephesian citizens to calm the uproar. He appeals to their civic pride and common knowledge that Ephesus is famous for its devotion to Artemis and the mystical image associated with her, which was believed to have fallen from the heavens (thus, of divine origin). This statement serves several purposes: it reaffirms the city's identity as a center for the worship of Artemis, it acknowledges the widespread recognition of the city's religious significance, and it attempts to restore order by reminding the people of their shared cultural heritage.

The verse reflects the tension between the traditional polytheistic religions of the Roman Empire and the emerging monotheistic Christian faith. It also highlights the economic and social implications of religious conversion in the ancient world, where local economies were often intertwined with religious practices. The town clerk's words illustrate the delicate balance that had to be maintained between religious fervor, civic stability, and economic interests in a multicultural and religiously diverse society.

*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: G1122
There are 67 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γραμματεύς
Transliteration: grammateús
Pronunciation: gram-mat-yooce'
Description: from γράμμα. a writer, i.e. (professionally) scribe or secretary:--scribe, town-clerk.
Strong's Number: G2687
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καταστέλλω
Transliteration: katastéllō
Pronunciation: kat-as-tel'-lo
Description: from κατά and στέλλω; to put down, i.e. quell:--appease, quiet.
Strong's Number: G3793
There are 170 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὄχλος
Transliteration: óchlos
Pronunciation: okh'los
Description: from a derivative of ἔχω (meaning a vehicle); a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot:--company, multitude, number (of people), people, press.
Strong's Number: G5346
There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φημί
Transliteration: phēmí
Pronunciation: fay-mee'
Description: properly, the same as the base of φῶς and φαίνω; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. speak or say:--affirm, say. Compare λέγω.
Strong's Number: G435
There are 279 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀνήρ
Transliteration: anḗr
Pronunciation: an'-ayr
Description: a primary word (compare ἄνθρωπος); a man (properly as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.
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.
Strong's Number: G5101
There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τίς
Transliteration: tís
Pronunciation: tis
Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Strong's Number: G444
There are 614 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄνθρωπος
Transliteration: ánthrōpos
Pronunciation: anth'-ro-pos
Description: from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.
Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
Strong's Number: G1097
There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γινώσκω
Transliteration: ginṓskō
Pronunciation: ghin-oce'-ko
Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):--allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
Strong's Number: G4172
There are 155 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πόλις
Transliteration: pólis
Pronunciation: pol'-is
Description: probably from the same as πόλεμος, or perhaps from πολύς; a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size):--city.
Strong's Number: G5607
There are 154 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὤν
Transliteration: ṓn
Pronunciation: on
Description: present participle of εἰμί; being:--be, come, have.
Strong's Number: G3511
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: νεωκόρος
Transliteration: neōkóros
Pronunciation: neh-o-kor'-os
Description: from a form of ναός and (to sweep); a temple-servant, i.e. (by implication) a votary:--worshipper.
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: G2299
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεά
Transliteration: theá
Pronunciation: theh-ah'
Description: feminine of θεός; a female deity:--goddess.
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: 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: G1356
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διοπετής
Transliteration: diopetḗs
Pronunciation: dee-op-et'-ace
Description: from the alternate of Ζεύς and the alternate of πίπτω; sky-fallen (i.e. an aerolite):--which fell down from Jupiter.

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