TRV
John Chrysostom
Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 7,356 passages across 56 books
Commentary
Acts 19:23
And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
"There arose no small stir about the Way." Do you see the renown acquired? They contradicted, it says: then came miracles, twofold: then again, danger: such is the way the threads alternate throughout the whole texture of the history.
Acts 19:24
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
"For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver temples of Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen." "Which made," it says, "silver temples of Diana." And how is it possible that temples could be made of silver? Perhaps as small boxes. Great was the honor paid to this Diana in Ephesus; since, when their temple was burnt it so grieved them, that they forbade even the name of the incendiary ever to be mentioned. See how, wherever there is idolatry, in every case we find money at the bottom of it. Both in the former instance it was for money, and in the case of this man, for money. It was not for their religion, because they thought that in danger; no, it was for their lucrative craft, that it would have nothing to work upon.
Acts 19:25
· 2 passages
Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
"From this work we have our wealth. Hath persuaded." How did he persuade - he, a man of mean consideration? How prevail over so great a force of habit? by doing what - by saying what? It is not for a Paul to effect this, it is not for a man. Even this is enough, that he said, "They are no gods." Now if the impiety of the heathen religions was so easy to detect, it ought to have been condemned long ago: if it was strong, it ought not to have been overthrown so quickly.
Observe the maliciousness of the man. He was wealthy himself, and to him indeed it was no such great loss; but to them the loss was great, since they were poor, and subsisted on their daily earnings. Nevertheless, these men say nothing, but only he. And observe: "Whom having collected, and the workmen of like occupation," having themselves common cause with him, "he said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth" then he brought the danger home to them, that we are in danger of falling from this our craft into starvation.
Acts 19:26
· 2 passages
Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
"Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at naught; but also, that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth." And yet the very things he spoke were enough to bring them to true religion: but being poor senseless creatures, this is the part they act. For if this man Paul is strong enough to turn away all, and the worship of the gods is in jeopardy, one ought to reflect, how great must this man's God be, and that he will much more give you those things, for which ye are afraid.
"Ye both see and hear," so palpable was the result that was taking place - "that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul by persuading hath turned away," not by violence: this is the way to persuade a city. Then, what touched them closely, "that they be no gods which are made with hands." He overturns, says he, our craft.
Acts 19:27
· 2 passages
So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
For, lest they should consider within themselves how strange, that a human being should have such power as this, and if a human being has power to effect such things, why then one ought to be persuaded by that man, he adds: "not only is this our craft in danger to be set at naught, but also," as if forsooth alleging a greater consideration, "the temple of the great goddess Diana," etc. "whom all Asia and the world worshippeth."
Already at the outset he has secured a hold upon their minds by saying, "This Paul hath turned away much people, saying, that they be no gods, which are made with men's hands." See what it is that the heathen are so indignant at; because he said that "they which be made of men are no gods." Throughout, he drives his speech at their craft. Then that which most grieved them he brings in afterwards. But, with the other gods, he would say, we have no concern, but that "the temple also of the great goddess Diana is in danger to be destroyed." Then, lest he should seem to say this for the sake of lucre, see what he adds: "Whom the whole world worshippeth." Observe how he showed Paul's power to be the greater, proving all their gods to be wretched and miserable creatures, since a mere man, who was driven about, a mere tentmaker, had so much power.
Acts 19:28
· 2 passages
And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
"And when they heard, they were filled with wrath, and shouted, Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" For each city had its proper gods. They thought to make their voice a barrier against the Divine Spirit. Children indeed, these Greeks! And their feeling was as if by their voice they could reinstate the worship of her, and undo what had taken place!
Observe the testimonies borne to the Apostles by their enemies, that they overthrew their worship. There at Lystra they brought "garlands and oxen." Here he says, "This our craft is in danger to be set at naught. - Ye have filled all everywhere with your doctrine." So said the Jews also with regard to Christ: "Ye see how the world is going after Him"; and, "The Romans shall come and take away our city." And again on another occasion, "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also." - "And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath." Upon what was that wrath called forth? On hearing about Diana, and about their source of gain.
Acts 19:29
· 2 passages
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 cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and rushed with one accord into the theatre." Such is the way with vulgar minds, any trivial occasion shall hurry them away and inflame their passions. Therefore it behooves to do things with strict examination. But see how contemptible they were, to be so exposed to all excitements! "Having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they dragged them:" here again recklessly, just as did the Jews in the case of Jason; and everywhere they set upon them.
"And the whole city," etc. See a disorderly multitude!
Acts 19:30
· 2 passages
And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
"And when Paul," etc. Paul then wished to enter in that he might harangue them: for he took his persecutions as occasions for teaching: "but the disciples suffered him not." Mark, how great forethought we always find them taking for him. At the very first they brought him out that they might not in his person receive a mortal blow; and yet they had heard him say, "I must also see Rome." But it was providential that he so predicts beforehand, that they might not be confounded at the event. But they would not that he should even suffer any evil.
"And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not," so far were they from all display and love of glory.
Acts 19:31
· 3 passages
And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
"And certain of the Asiarchs besought him that he would not enter into the theatre." Knowing his eagerness, they "besought him:" so much did all the believers love him.
"And certain of the Asiarchs, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre" to a disorderly populace and tumult. And Paul complies, for he was not vainglorious, nor ambitious.
"They urged him not to hand himself over" to the disorderly mob and the violence in the theatre, and Paul was persuaded, since he was neither vainglorious nor ostentatious.… Knowing his eagerness, they begged him, since all these faithful loved him so much.
Acts 19:32
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
"Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused." Such is the nature of the multitude: it recklessly follows, like fire when it has fallen upon fuel; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
Acts 19:33
· 2 passages
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
"And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward." It was the Jews that thrust him forward; but as providence ordered it, this man did not speak. "And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people."
"And they drew Alexander," etc. This Alexander, why did he wish to plead? Was he accused? No, but it was to find an opportunity, and overturn the whole matter, and inflame the anger of the people.