Acts Chapter 19 Part 12
Acts Chapter 19 (Part 12)
Acts 19:23-41
Wednesday Evening 1/28/04
Text
Acts 19:23-41 23 And about that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; 25 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. 26 “And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27 “And not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship should even be dethroned from her magnificence.” 28 And when they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 And the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. 30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 And also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater. 32 So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority did not know for what cause they had come together. 33 And some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 And after quieting the multitude, the town clerk *said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, and of the image which fell down from heaven? 36 “Since then these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash. 37 “For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 “So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. 39 “But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 “For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s affair, since there is no real cause for it; and in this connection we shall be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 And after saying this he dismissed the assembly. NASB
Introduction
As we noted last week, Paul’s three year ministry in Ephesus is coming to an end and verse 23 tells us that at about that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way.
Luke closes out chapter 19 by noting that just prior to Paul’s leaving Ephesus, a major conflict developed in Ephesus because of the success of the Gospel there and in the surrounding area. You will remember that we noted in verse 20 that Luke states the outcome of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. Note: Acts 19:20 So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.
As we have noted throughout chapter 19, Paul’s ministry in Ephesus had been very effective. It should come as no surprise to us that in the midst of this success, conflict develops. Anytime the Word of God is growing and prevailing opposition is to be expected. The Scripture makes it clear that persecution will follow hard on the heels of those who pursue and advocate the things of God. Note:
2 Timothy 3:12 And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
John 15:20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
2 Corinthians 4:7-11 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; 8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
So, it should come as no surprise to us that in the midst of the progress of the Gospel in Ephesus, that conflict and persecution should arise. Luke closes out chapter 19 then, with a description of this conflict which in this case turns in to a full blown riot by those protesting the Christian Faith. Let’s note some of the details that Luke provides regarding this riot.
In verses 24-27, Luke tells us how and why the riot was instigated. Note: 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; 25 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. 26 “And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27 “And not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship should even be dethroned from her magnificence.”
As people were coming to Christ, they were also recognizing that gods made with hands are no gods at all. This was having a dramatic economic impact on the local idol trade. (Expound – Demetrius who was in the idol business recognized that his livelihood and the entire idol industry were in trouble). Note: Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business.
Idol making was a very lucrative business and the goddess Artemis and her temple at Ephesus was perhaps the largest cult in the Greco/Roman world at that time. (Expound – In fact, the temple of Artemis, or Diana, in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – show slides of temple and goddess, explain Artemis = Diana).
(Expound – Notice how grotesque with multiple mammary glands. Artemis was a mother-goddess worshiped in conjunction with a fertility cult – explain).
So, there was a thriving industry surrounding the worship of Artemis, but note how Luke makes it clear that the concern of Demetrius and the craftsmen centered on the financial, not the religious. Note verses 24-27 again: 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; 25 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends upon this business. 26 “And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27 “And not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship should even be dethroned from her magnificence.”
Notice how their religious concerns were really nothing more than a pretense for their real concerns. This would be equivalent today of a pornographer defending his trade based on a concern for free speech. (Expound and note how often people try to justify their true concerns by appealing principles they don’t really care anything about).
So, facing substantial financial loses, Demetrius works up the crowd to the point that a major riot develops. Note verses 28-34: 28 And when they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 And the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. 30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 And also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater. 32 So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority did not know for what cause they had come together. 33 And some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Demetrius accomplished his goal and whipped the crowd into a frenzy. The infuriated crowd rushed through the streets of Ephesus crying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”. (Expound – notice the irrationality of mob mentality. This is typical of how the world reacts to Christianity and how people act when they don’t have a rational answer). Additional examples of this kind of behavior can be seen in the Book of Acts. Note:
The Jewish leaders acted in a very similar way to Stephen’s sermon. Acts 7:54-57 54 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears, and they rushed upon him with one impulse.
Paul and Silas experienced similar treatment in Philippi. Acts 16:19-24 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the authorities, 20 and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, 21 and are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.” 22 And the crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them, and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; 24 and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks.
The truth makes people angry because it confronts their false religion and false world view and exposes the emptiness of their belief system. Truth also will often threaten profit centers, and this can generate the greatest anger of all. (Expound – think how various industries and individuals in this country would react if Christian truth and values were to prevail). Now, note verses 28-34 one more time.
28 And when they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 And the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia. 30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him. 31 And also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater. 32 So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority did not know for what cause they had come together. 33 And some of the crowd concluded it was Alexander, since the Jews had put him forward; and having motioned with his hand, Alexander was intending to make a defense to the assembly. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, a single outcry arose from them all as they shouted for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Notice that even in the face of a people gone mad, Paul courageously wants to step into the fray in order to protect his two comrades. Though his friends keep him from doing so, notice that Paul demonstrates his loyalty to his fellow workers by being willing to risk his life for them. (Expound and note that Paul was not a fair-weather-friend).
Finally note that it was a city official who stepped in and calmed this riot. Note verses 35-41:
Acts 19:35-41 35 And after quieting the multitude, the town clerk *said, “Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, and of the image which fell down from heaven? 36 “Since then these are undeniable facts, you ought to keep calm and to do nothing rash. 37 “For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 “So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. 39 “But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 “For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s affair, since there is no real cause for it; and in this connection we shall be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 And after saying this he dismissed the assembly.
Warning the crowd that they were in danger of repercussions from Rome for their illegal riot, the city clerk was able to calm the crowd and encouraged them to pursue their complaints along appropriate legal channels if they had any valid complaints. This incident illustrates a couple of things we should note.
First, here is an example of the Biblical teaching that the government is here for the protection of people and as a general rule protects those who are law-abiding. Note:
Romans 13:1-4 1 Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. (Expound – here in Acts 19 we see an illustration of Paul’s teaching in Romans 13 of government serving is appointed purpose).
Secondly, notice that part of the argument used to clam the crowd in Ephesus was the good reputation of those being condemned. The city clerk makes it clear in verse 37 that there were no legitimate charges being brought against Paul and his comrades, 37 “For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. It is very important that we maintain a spotless reputation and not give people any legitimate cause to condemn us. Note how Peter makes this point.
1 Peter 2:12-15 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
1 Peter 3:16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
We should do all we can to maintain a good reputation. (Expound and close).