Acts 19:40

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For we are in danger of being accused of rioting on account of what has happened today. There is no justification for it; and if we are asked, we will be unable to give any reasonable explanation for this disorderly gathering.”

Berean Standard Bible:

For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”

American Standard Version:

For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day’s riot, there being no cause for it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{{G1063}{G2532}} we are in danger^{G2793} to be called in question^{G1458} for^{G4012} this day's^{G4594} uproar^{G4714}, there being^{G5225} no^{G3367} cause^{G158} whereby^{{G4012}{G3739}} we may^{G1410} give^{G591} an account^{G3056} of this^{G5026} concourse^{G4963}.

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Commentary for Acts 19:40

Acts 19:40 is a verse set within the larger context of the Apostle Paul's missionary journey in Ephesus. In this particular scene, Paul is addressing a chaotic assembly in the city's theater, where an uproar has erupted due to the impact of his preaching on the local economy and religious practices. The verse captures a moment of concern expressed by Alexander, likely a Jew attempting to defend himself and his people against the angry mob. Alexander's words reflect the fear that both Jews and Christians might be held accountable for the tumult, even though there is no legitimate reason for such an accusation.

The historical context of this verse is significant. Ephesus was a major city in the Roman province of Asia and was known for its temple to the goddess Artemis, which played a central role in the city's religious and economic life. Paul's successful ministry in Ephesus led to many conversions, which in turn threatened the livelihood of those who crafted and sold idols and other religious paraphernalia associated with Artemis worship. This economic threat, combined with the religious challenge to the established cult of Artemis, fueled the uproar described in the chapter.

The themes present in Acts 19:40 include the tension between the spreading Christian message and the entrenched religious and economic systems of the day, the potential for misdirected blame and persecution, and the challenge of maintaining public order in the face of significant cultural shifts. The verse also highlights the precarious situation of early Christian communities and their leaders, who often faced the risk of being scapegoated for civil unrest that they did not cause. Alexander's plea underscores the need for a rational explanation to quell the unrest and prevent unjust repercussions against the Jewish and Christian populations.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2793
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κινδυνεύω
   Transliteration: kindyneúō
   Pronunciation: kin-doon-yoo'-o
   Description: from κίνδυνος; to undergo peril:--be in danger, be (stand) in jeopardy.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1458
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐγκαλέω
   Transliteration: enkaléō
   Pronunciation: eng-kal-eh'-o
   Description: from ἐν and καλέω; to call in (as a debt or demand), i.e. bring to account (charge, criminate, etc.):--accuse, call in question, implead, lay to the charge.
   
5. Strong's Number: G4012
   There are 304 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: περί
   Transliteration: perí
   Pronunciation: per-ee'
   Description: from the base of πέραν; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).
   
6. Strong's Number: G4594
   There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σήμερον
   Transliteration: sḗmeron
   Pronunciation: say'-mer-on
   Description: neuter (as adverb) of a presumed compound of the article ὁ (t changed to s) and ἡμέρα; on the (i.e. this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e. at present, hitherto):--this (to-)day.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4714
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: στάσις
   Transliteration: stásis
   Pronunciation: stas'-is
   Description: from the base of ἵστημι; a standing (properly, the act), i.e. (by analogy) position (existence); by implication, a popular uprising; figuratively, controversy:--dissension, insurrection, X standing, uproar.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5225
   There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑπάρχω
   Transliteration: hypárchō
   Pronunciation: hoop-ar'-kho
   Description: from ὑπό and ἄρχομαι; to begin under (quietly), i.e. come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, participle, adverb or preposition, or as an auxiliary to a principal (verb):--after, behave, live.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3367
   There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μηδείς
   Transliteration: mēdeís
   Pronunciation: may-den'
   Description: from μή and εἷς; not even one (man, woman, thing):--any (man, thing), no (man), none, not (at all, any man, a whit), nothing, + without delay.
   
10. Strong's Number: G158
    There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αἴτιον
    Transliteration: aítion
    Pronunciation: ah'-ee-tee-on
    Description: neuter of αἴτιος; a reason or crime (like αἰτία):--cause, fault.
    
11. 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.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1410
    There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δύναμαι
    Transliteration: dýnamai
    Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
    Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
    
13. Strong's Number: G591
    There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀποδίδωμι
    Transliteration: apodídōmi
    Pronunciation: ap-od-eed'-o-mee
    Description: from ἀπό and δίδωμι; to give away, i.e. up, over, back, etc. (in various applications):--deliver (again), give (again), (re-)pay(-ment be made), perform, recompense, render, requite, restore, reward, sell, yield.
    
14. Strong's Number: G3056
    There are 316 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λόγος
    Transliteration: lógos
    Pronunciation: log'-os
    Description: from λέγω; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
    
15. Strong's Number: G5026
    There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ταύτῃ
    Transliteration: taútēi
    Pronunciation: tow'-tace
    Description: dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of οὗτος; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same).
    
16. Strong's Number: G4963
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: συστροφή
    Transliteration: systrophḗ
    Pronunciation: soos-trof-ay'
    Description: from συστρέφω; a twisting together, i.e. (figuratively) a secret coalition, riotous crowd:--+ band together, concourse.