Acts 19:37

KJV

For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} ye have brought hither {G71} these {G5128} men {G435}, which are neither {G3777} robbers of churches {G2417}, nor yet {G3777} blasphemers {G987} of your {G5216} goddess {G2299}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For you have brought these men here who have neither robbed the temple nor insulted your goddess.

Berean Standard Bible

For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess.

American Standard Version

For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 19:37 records the Ephesian town clerk's crucial declaration during a city-wide riot, asserting the innocence of Paul's companions, Gaius and Aristarchus. He clarifies that these men, despite being at the center of the uproar incited by silversmiths threatened by the gospel's spread, had committed no actionable offenses—neither desecrating temples nor directly insulting the goddess Artemis—thus providing a legal basis to de-escalate the volatile situation and restore civic order.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of the dramatic Ephesian riot, detailed in [Acts 19:23-41](/acts/19-23-41 "Acts 19:23-41 - The Ephesian Riot"). The unrest began when Demetrius, a prominent silversmith, rallied his fellow craftsmen, whose lucrative trade in manufacturing shrines for Artemis was jeopardized by the widespread acceptance of the Christian message. Paul's ministry had been so effective that "gods made with hands are no gods at all" ([Acts 19:26](/acts/19-26 "Acts 19:26 - Demetrius' Complaint")). The enraged crowd, seizing Paul's companions Gaius and Aristarchus, rushed into the theater, crying out, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" ([Acts 19:28](/acts/19-28 "Acts 19:28 - The Cry for Artemis")). The town clerk, a high-ranking civic official, intervenes to restore order and prevent the situation from escalating into a Roman intervention, using this declaration of innocence as a key argument to disperse the mob.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ephesus was a major Roman provincial capital in Asia Minor, renowned for its magnificent Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The cult of Artemis was deeply ingrained in the city's identity, economy, and religious life. Pilgrims from across the Roman world flocked to the temple, sustaining a vast industry of silversmiths, sculptors, and merchants. The "town clerk" (grammateus) was a powerful and respected official, acting as the chief magistrate and liaison between the city and Roman authorities. His primary responsibility was to maintain civic order and ensure the city's loyalty to Rome. Any disturbance or riot could lead to severe repercussions from the Roman governor, including the revocation of the city's self-governing privileges. The clerk's measured, legally astute intervention was crucial for protecting Ephesus's status.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 19:37 contributes to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it highlights the **innocence of the accused**; despite the fervent accusations, Paul's companions had not committed any specific, actionable crime against the Ephesian cult or its temple, underscoring the baselessness of the mob's fury. Secondly, it showcases the importance of **prudence and civic order** in the face of irrational passion; the town clerk's appeal to reason and legal process demonstrates the necessity of maintaining peace and due process, a recurring theme in Luke's portrayal of Roman justice often vindicating Christian missionaries (e.g., [Acts 18:12-17](/acts/18-12-17 "Acts 18:12-17 - Gallio's Judgment")). Thirdly, it implicitly critiques **misguided zeal**, revealing how economic self-interest and religious fervor can blind people to truth and justice, leading to mob mentality rather than rational discourse. Finally, it illustrates the **gospel's inherent challenge to idolatry**, even when not expressed through direct blasphemy. The very presence and proclamation of the one true God undermined the foundations of pagan worship, leading to significant social and economic upheaval, as seen throughout Paul's missionary journeys (e.g., [Acts 17:16-34](/acts/17-16-34 "Acts 17:16-34 - Paul in Athens")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **robbers of churches (Greek, _hierósylos'_):** This term, derived from `hierón` (temple) and `syláō` (to plunder), specifically denotes a "temple-despoiler" or one who commits sacrilege by stealing from or desecrating a sacred place. The clerk's assertion that Paul's companions were not `hierósylos` means they had not physically looted or damaged the Temple of Artemis, a grave offense punishable by law. This distinction is crucial, as their actions, while challenging the pagan system, were not criminal in this specific, direct sense.
* **blasphemers (Greek, _blasphēméō'_):** From `blásphemos` (reviling, impious), this verb means "to vilify" or "to speak impiously." In this context, it refers to speaking evil against or reviling the goddess Artemis. While the Christian message inherently declared pagan gods to be false, Paul and his associates did not engage in crude, abusive, or direct verbal attacks on the deity herself. Their method was primarily the positive proclamation of Christ, which indirectly exposed the futility of idol worship, rather than direct, offensive verbal abuse of the pagan deity.
* **goddess (Greek, _theá'_):** The feminine form of `theós` (god), referring specifically to a female deity. Here, it unequivocally refers to Artemis (Diana), the patron goddess of Ephesus. The clerk's use of "your goddess" (`hymōn theá`) acknowledges the crowd's devotion while subtly distancing himself from their emotional fervor, framing the issue in terms of civic order rather than religious conviction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For ye have brought hither these men":** The town clerk addresses the agitated crowd, acknowledging their action of bringing Gaius and Aristarchus to the theater. This phrase establishes the premise for his subsequent argument, setting the stage for a legal and factual assessment of the situation rather than an emotional one. He is taking control of the narrative by stating the undisputed fact of the men's presence.
* **"which are neither robbers of churches":** This is the first of two crucial negations. The clerk asserts that the accused men have not committed `hierosylos`, meaning they have not physically plundered, desecrated, or stolen from the Temple of Artemis. This directly refutes a potential, and serious, charge that could have been leveled against them, demonstrating their innocence of a capital crime against the Ephesian cult.
* **"nor yet blasphemers of your goddess":** This is the second negation. The clerk states that the men have not `blasphēméō` Artemis, meaning they have not engaged in direct, abusive, or reviling speech against the goddess herself. While their preaching undermined the worship of idols, their method was not one of crude verbal assault, which would have been considered a grave offense against the city's patron deity. This further underscores their lack of criminal culpability in the eyes of Roman law.

#### Literary Devices
The town clerk's statement in [Acts 19:37](/acts/19-37 "Acts 19:37 - The Town Clerk's Defense") employs several effective literary devices to achieve his purpose of quelling the riot. Firstly, **Rhetorical Strategy** is evident in his calm, factual presentation amidst the mob's frenzy. By stating what the men *are not*, he subtly shifts the focus from the emotional accusations of the crowd to a legal assessment of their actions. This approach disarms the mob by removing the basis for their violent outburst. Secondly, there is an element of **Understatement** or **Litotes** (affirming something by denying its opposite). While the Christian message profoundly challenged the worship of Artemis, the clerk's assertion that they were "neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers" is a technical truth that downplays the *theological* offense perceived by the Ephesians, focusing instead on the absence of *criminal* offense. This allows him to legally justify their release without directly engaging in a theological debate. Finally, the clerk's words carry a subtle **Irony**. The very presence of the gospel, which declared "gods made with hands are no gods at all" ([Acts 19:26](/acts/19-26 "Acts 19:26 - Demetrius' Complaint")), was an existential threat to the Artemis cult. Yet, the clerk, from a secular, legal standpoint, declares the bearers of this message innocent of direct sacrilege or blasphemy, highlighting the disconnect between the mob's passionate, economically driven rage and the actual legal facts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 19:37 profoundly illustrates the early church's encounter with established paganism and the providential protection afforded to God's messengers. The town clerk's declaration of innocence, rooted in legal fact rather than religious sympathy, demonstrates how God can use secular authorities to protect His people and advance His kingdom, even in hostile environments. It highlights the principle that while the gospel inherently challenges false worship, its proponents are not called to engage in destructive or illegal acts against pagan institutions, but rather to proclaim the truth of Christ. This passage underscores the integrity and blameless conduct expected of believers, even when their message is revolutionary and disruptive to the status quo. The fact that Gaius and Aristarchus could be legally cleared of specific charges speaks to their adherence to lawful conduct, even as their spiritual influence was overturning deeply entrenched idolatry.

* [1 Thessalonians 1:9](/1_thessalonians/1-9 "1 Thessalonians 1:9 - Turning from Idols to God")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")
* [1 Peter 2:12](/1_peter/2-12 "1 Peter 2:12 - Good Conduct Among Gentiles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Ephesus, culminating in the town clerk's measured declaration in Acts 19:37, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that while the truth of the gospel will inevitably challenge prevailing cultural norms and false ideologies, our conduct as Christ's ambassadors must remain above reproach. We are called to live with integrity, ensuring that any opposition we face is due to our faithful witness to Christ, not because of our own misconduct or disrespect. This passage encourages us to engage with the world thoughtfully, relying on the power of the Spirit and the persuasive truth of the Word, rather than resorting to crude or inflammatory tactics. It also highlights the importance of discerning between legitimate grievances and mob mentality, and recognizing God's hand in raising up individuals, even secular authorities, to uphold justice and protect His people. Our mission is to proclaim the transformative power of Jesus Christ, trusting that He will open hearts and protect His church, even amidst hostility and opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the town clerk's appeal to facts and legal process challenge our tendency to react emotionally to perceived threats or opposition?**
* **In what ways might believers today be tempted to engage in "blasphemy" or "temple-robbing" (metaphorically) rather than relying on the power of the gospel message?**
* **How can we, like Paul's companions, maintain integrity and blameless conduct even when our Christian witness is disruptive to the prevailing culture?**

### FAQ
**Why was the town clerk's statement so effective in quelling the riot?**

Answer: The town clerk's statement was effective for several reasons. First, he was a figure of significant authority and respect in Ephesus, acting as the chief magistrate and the city's representative to Roman provincial authorities. His words carried legal weight. Second, he appealed to reason and legal facts rather than emotion. By stating that Paul's companions were "neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess," he removed any legitimate legal grounds for the mob's actions. Their fury, while intense, was based on economic threat and religious fervor, not on actual criminal offenses committed by the accused. He then warned them of the severe repercussions from Rome if the riot continued, emphasizing the need for proper legal channels (e.g., [Acts 19:38-40](/acts/19-38-40 "Acts 19:38-40 - The Town Clerk's Warning")). This combination of authority, legal reasoning, and a clear warning about Roman intervention successfully dispersed the agitated crowd, protecting the city's civic privileges.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 19:37, though seemingly a secular legal declaration, subtly points to the broader narrative of Christ's kingdom advancing against the powers of darkness. Just as Paul's companions were declared innocent of direct sacrilege against a pagan deity, so too was Christ, the ultimate innocent one, declared blameless even by His Roman judge, Pontius Pilate, who found "no guilt in Him" ([John 18:38](/john/18-38 "John 18:38 - Pilate Finds No Guilt") and [John 19:6](/john/19-6 "John 19:6 - Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent")). Yet, despite His blamelessness, Jesus was crucified, a profound act of divine irony where the truly innocent Lamb of God became the sacrifice for the world's sin ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The gospel, which the Ephesian riot sought to suppress, is the very power of God for salvation ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")), challenging all false gods and idolatry, not through physical destruction or verbal abuse, but through the transformative truth of Jesus' death and resurrection. The town clerk's unwitting protection of God's servants foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Christ's kingdom, which, though often opposed, cannot be thwarted by human schemes or mob violence, for "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church and the Gates of Hell")). The narrative reminds us that the true "temple" is now the body of Christ ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You Are God's Temple")), and the only "blasphemy" that truly matters is the rejection of the one true God revealed in Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 6:3

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

Romans 2:22

Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

1 Corinthians 10:32

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Acts 25:8

While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.