Acts 19:29

And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

And {G2532} the whole {G3650} city {G4172} was filled {G4130} with confusion {G4799}: and {G5037} having caught {G4884} Gaius {G1050} and {G2532} Aristarchus {G708}, men of Macedonia {G3110}, Paul's {G3972} companions in travel {G4898}, they rushed {G3729} with one accord {G3661} into {G1519} the theatre {G2302}.

Soon the whole city was in an uproar. As one man, the mob rushed into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Sha’ul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.

Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.

And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel.

Acts 19:29 describes a chaotic scene during Paul's ministry in Ephesus, a significant city in the Roman province of Asia. This verse captures the height of a major riot instigated by local craftsmen whose livelihoods were threatened by the spread of the Gospel.

Context

The preceding verses (specifically Acts 19:23-28) detail how Demetrius, a silversmith who made shrines for the goddess Artemis (also known as Diana), incited his fellow tradesmen. Paul's preaching had been so effective that many Ephesians were turning away from idolatry, directly impacting the lucrative business of idol manufacturing. This economic threat, coupled with fervent devotion to Artemis, ignited a city-wide uproar. Verse 29 shows the immediate result: "the whole city was filled with confusion," as the angry mob, unified in their purpose, seized Paul's traveling companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, and dragged them into the city's large theatre.

Key Themes

  • Opposition to the Gospel: This incident vividly illustrates how the spread of the Gospel of Christ often meets fierce resistance. Such opposition can stem from economic concerns, religious zeal, or a combination of both, as was the case with the Ephesian silversmiths defending their trade and their goddess.
  • Mob Mentality and Disorder: The phrase "the whole city was filled with confusion" highlights the irrationality and danger of a crowd driven by fear, economic threat, and religious fervor. The Greek word for "confusion," sugchysis (σύγχυσις), emphasizes the disorder and tumult that gripped Ephesus, demonstrating how easily a large group can lose reason and become a destructive force.
  • Divine Providence Amidst Persecution: While Paul's companions were seized, Paul himself was providentially protected. Although he desired to confront the crowd, he was restrained by disciples and even some Asian officials, demonstrating divine intervention in safeguarding His servant during this intense hostility.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version's phrase "with one accord" translates the Greek word homothymadon (ὁμοθυμαδόν). This term literally means "with one passion," "with one mind," or "unanimously." While often used positively in Acts to describe the unity and harmony of believers in prayer or action (e.g., Acts 2:1), here it describes the unified, albeit misguided and hostile, fervor of the rioting crowd. It underscores the collective, single-minded intent of the mob.

Historical and Cultural Context

Ephesus was a preeminent city in the Roman Empire, famous for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This temple was not only a religious site but also a massive economic engine, attracting pilgrims and supporting numerous trades, including the silversmiths who crafted miniature shrines and idols. The riot described in Acts 19 vividly illustrates the deep integration of pagan worship into the city's economy and identity, making Paul's evangelistic efforts a direct challenge to the established status quo and a potential threat to civic peace.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that proclaiming truth can still provoke strong reactions, especially when it challenges deeply entrenched beliefs, cultural norms, or vested economic interests. It calls believers to be discerning about the world's potential opposition to God's word and to trust in divine protection even amidst hostility and confusion. The chaotic scene also offers a timeless warning against succumbing to mob mentality or allowing fear and anger to dictate actions, whether individually or collectively.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 20:4

    And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

  • Colossians 4:10

    Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

  • Acts 27:2

    And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; [one] Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

  • Philemon 1:24

    Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

  • Acts 19:22

    So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:9

    For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:14

    ¶ I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
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