Acts 19:35

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?

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}?

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?

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?

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?

Acts 19:35 captures a pivotal moment during the riot in Ephesus, where the city's chief magistrate, the townclerk, attempts to restore order by appealing to the citizens' common sense and civic pride. This verse highlights the profound religious devotion of the Ephesians to the goddess Diana (Artemis) and the perceived divine origin of her primary idol.

Context

Acts 19:35 occurs at the climax of a major incident in Ephesus, often referred to as the Ephesian riot. This disturbance was stirred up by Demetrius, a silversmith, whose trade in miniature shrines of the goddess Diana was threatened by the rapid spread of the Christian message through Paul's extensive ministry. The townclerk, a high-ranking municipal official, steps in to calm the enraged crowd, using a combination of civic pride, appeals to due process, and subtle warnings about Roman authority.

Key Themes

  • Idolatry and Devotion: The verse vividly portrays the deep-seated devotion of the Ephesians to their patron goddess, Diana (Artemis). The townclerk's statement underscores that this worship was not merely a local cult but a fundamental aspect of their civic identity and pride. This devotion stood in direct opposition to the monotheistic claims of the Gospel, leading to the conflict.
  • The Power of Public Opinion and Civic Order: The townclerk's speech highlights how easily public sentiment can be swayed into a riot, but also how a respected voice can restore order. His primary concern is maintaining peace and avoiding Roman intervention, demonstrating the practical realities of living under imperial rule.
  • Cultural and Economic Resistance to the Gospel: The riot was driven by economic fears (as seen in Demetrius's complaint in Acts 19:27) stemming from the Gospel's success in turning people away from idols. The townclerk's words indirectly acknowledge the Gospel's impact on pagan worship.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "Diana," which is the Roman name for the Greek goddess Artemis. Her temple in Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a colossal and magnificent structure that drew pilgrims and wealth to the city.

The phrase "the [image] which fell down from Jupiter" translates the Greek word diopetes (διοπετές), which literally means "fallen from heaven." This refers to a sacred idol, likely a meteorite, believed to have been sent directly by Zeus (Jupiter in Roman mythology), lending it immense divine authority and making its worship central to Ephesian identity. This belief made the people highly resistant to Paul's message that "gods made with hands are no gods" (Acts 19:26).

Practical Application

Acts 19:35 offers several contemporary lessons:

  • Identifying Modern Idolatry: While we may not worship physical statues, modern societies often place ultimate trust and devotion in things like wealth, power, fame, or self. This verse challenges us to consider what truly holds our ultimate allegiance.
  • The Power of Truth in a Hostile World: The Gospel, even when it challenges deeply entrenched cultural or economic systems, possesses inherent power to transform lives and societies. Just as it did in Ephesus, it can still disrupt false narratives and bring people to true worship.
  • Wisdom in Leadership: The townclerk, though a pagan, demonstrates a pragmatic wisdom in handling a volatile crowd. His appeal to reason and legal process serves as a reminder of the importance of calm and strategic communication in times of conflict.
  • The Enduring Nature of Opposition: The opposition Paul faced in Ephesus reminds us that proclaiming Christ often brings resistance, especially when it threatens established interests or comfortable beliefs. Christians are called to stand firm in the face of such challenges, trusting in God's ultimate sovereignty as seen in the word of God growing mightily and prevailing (Acts 19:20).
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.

  • 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.

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