Acts 19:21-41
Summary for Acts 19:21-22: 19:21-22 a felt compelled by the Spirit: No doubt Paul was troubled by what he had heard about the situation in Corinth (see 1 Corinthians Book Introduction). Instead of going immediately himself, he sent ... Timothy, who was carrying a letter, 1 Corinthians, from Paul to the Corinthians (1 Cor 4:17 b; 16:10-11 c). Paul himself did go over to Macedonia and Achaia not long afterward (Acts 20:1-3 d).• “I must go on to Rome!”: Perhaps compelled by his proven strategy (see study note on 16:8), Paul wanted to proclaim the Good News in the most significant city in the world.
Summary for Acts 19:23-41: 19:23-41 e The patron deity of Ephesus was the Greek goddess Artemis. Her birthplace was believed to be Ephesus, so Ephesus was the official guardian of the temple. Twice annually, elaborate festivals were held in her honor with athletic, musical, and theatrical celebrations that included singing Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! The temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Conversions to Christianity clearly damaged the worship of Artemis and the associated economic activity, but it became clear that Paul and his associates had committed no crime. 19:23 f the Way: See study note on 9:2.
Summary for Acts 19:24-34: 19:24-34 g Demetrius, a silversmith whose business was threatened by Paul’s proclaiming faith in one God, whipped up a major riot against him. 19:24 h Silver coins and shrines carrying the image of Artemis were minted in Ephesus; statuettes of the goddess were used in civic processions and are still sold there today.
19:27 i all around the world: The ancient geographer Strabo reports that temples dedicated to Artemis existed in cities from Asia Minor (now Turkey) to what is now France and Spain (Strabo, Geography 3.4.8; 4.1.4).
19:29 j Archaeologists have excavated the amphitheater where the whole city assembled; it held 24,000 people.
19:31 k Some of the officials of the province (Greek Asiarchai, “rulers of Asia”): The “Asiarchs” were the appointed leaders in the Roman province of Asia. They served as civic benefactors and usually championed the emperor cult. Some of these officials in high places were friends of Paul—Luke highlights that Christianity was attractive to people of high standing in society.
Summary for Acts 19:35-41: 19:35-41 l The demonstration was finally quelled only when the mayor intervened and dismissed the assembly to prevent the city from being charged by the Roman government with rioting. This story demonstrates that Christians in the Roman world were entitled to legal due process. 19:35 m The tradition that the image (statue) of Artemis had fallen from heaven might point to its having been carved from a meteor.
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