Acts 19
19
The Apostle Paul in Ephesus
1While Apollos was ministering in Corinth, Paul traveled on through the regions of Turkey # 19:1 The Greek is “the upper inland country.” This was a trek through certain regions of Turkey for him to arrive in Ephesus. until he arrived in Ephesus, where he found a group of twelve followers of Jesus. # 19:1 Or “some disciples.” Verse 7 states there were twelve. This information is included here in v. 1 for the sake of the English narrative. 2The first thing he asked them was “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
“No,” they replied. “We’ve not even heard of a holy spirit.”
3Paul asked, “Then what was the meaning of your baptism?” # 19:3 Or “into what [name or authority] were you baptized?”
They responded, “It meant that we would follow John’s teaching.”
4Paul said, “John’s baptism was for those who were turning from their sins, # 19:4 The Aramaic can be translated “John’s baptism was a baptism of grace to the people.” and he taught you to believe in and follow the one who was coming after him: Jesus the Anointed One.” # 19:4 “The Anointed One” (or “Messiah”) is found only in the Aramaic. The Greek is simply “Jesus.”
5When they understood this, they were baptized into the authority of Jesus, the Anointed One. # 19:5 Or “on the name of Jesus Christ,” which means they were baptized into the authority of the name of Jesus, who was greater than John. 6-7And when Paul laid his hands on each of the twelve, the Holy Spirit manifested and they immediately spoke in tongues # 19:6–7 Or “supernaturally given languages.” and prophesied. # 19:6–7 The Aramaic is “They spoke tongue by tongue and gushed out prophecies.” The impartation of the Holy Spirit and his gifts are here being transferred from Paul to these believers. See also 1 Tim. 4:14; 2 Tim. 1:6–7. Jesus taught that when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, it is to impart power for our lives and ministries. See Acts 1:8.
8For three months Paul taught openly and fearlessly in the synagogue, arguing persuasively for them to enter into God’s kingdom realm. # 19:8 Or “about God’s kingdom realm.” It is a big step for both Jews and Christians to come out of their religious identity and focus on the reality of God’s kingdom realm. 9But some of them hardened their hearts and stubbornly refused to believe. When they spoke evil # 19:9 Or “cursed the Christian way of living.” of the Way in front of the congregation, Paul withdrew from them and took the believers with him.
10Every day # 19:10 The Greek manuscript D adds, “from the fifth hour [11:00 a.m.] to the tenth hour [4:00 p.m.].” for over two years, # 19:10 Counting the three months of focusing on ministry to the Jews, Paul’s entire stay in Ephesus came to three years, which would have included a short visit to Corinth. See Acts 20:31. he taught them in the lecture hall of Tyrannus, # 19:10 This was like a college or lecture hall. Tyrannus (whose name means “sovereign”) was most likely a philosopher and lecturer who had disciples whom he taught. Apparently Tyrannus welcomed Paul after he left the Jewish congregation and brought him into his school to teach the students. which resulted in everyone living in the province of Asia, # 19:10 This “school of ministry” exploded as many came to hear Paul and then went out to preach, expanding the reach of the gospel into all the “province of Asia” (Asia Minor). The province of Asia would have covered no less than one-third of Turkey. Many multitudes heard the gospel in the two-year period when Paul taught in Ephesus. The teaching of the apostles resulted in the expansion of God’s kingdom realm. Jews and non-Jews, hearing the prophetic word of the Lord. # 19:10 Or simply, “the word of the Lord.” However, the phrase “the word of the Lord” is a Hebrew expression consistently used for the prophetic utterances given by the prophets.
Extraordinary Miracles in Ephesus
11God kept releasing a flow of extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul. 12Because of this, people took Paul’s handkerchiefs and articles of clothing, even pieces of cloth that had touched his skin, laying them on the bodies of the sick, and diseases and demons left them and they were healed.
13-14Now, there were seven itinerant Jewish exorcists, sons of Sceva the high priest, who took it upon themselves to use the name and authority of Jesus over those who were demonized. They would say, “We cast you out in the name of the Jesus that Paul preaches!”
15One day, when they said those words, the demon in the man replied, “I know about Jesus, and I recognize Paul, but who do you think you are?”
16Then the demonized man jumped on them and threw them to the ground, beating them mercilessly. # 19:16 True authority comes from relationship with Jesus Christ, not just using formulas and techniques. Evil spirits know about the depth of our relationship with God. He overpowered the seven exorcists until they all ran out of the house naked and badly bruised.
Revival Breaks Out
17All of the people in Ephesus were awestruck, both Jews and non-Jews, when they heard about what had happened. Great fear fell over the entire city, and the authority of the name of Jesus was exalted. 18Many believers publicly confessed their sins and disclosed their secrets. 19Large numbers of those who had been practicing magic took all of their books and scrolls of spells and incantations and publicly burned them. When the value of all the books and scrolls was calculated, it all came to several million dollars. # 19:19 Or “fifty thousand silver drachmas.” Some historians have said that one lamb would be sold for one silver drachma. The price of a ewe lamb today is about 150 USD. A drachma was one day’s wage, and fifty thousand drachmas would be one hundred years’ wages. The value of the books could have been millions of dollars. 20The power of God caused the word to spread, and the people were greatly impacted. # 19:20 Chronologically, this would have been the time when Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians.
A Riot Breaks Out
21Paul had it in his heart to go to Jerusalem and, on his way there, to revisit the places in Greece where he had ministered. # 19:21 Or “to go through Macedonia and Achaia.” The implication is that Paul wanted to revisit the area of Greece he had ministered in; therefore, that is made explicit in this translation. “After that,” he said, “I have to go to Rome also.” 22So he sent ahead into Macedonia two of his ministry assistants, Timothy # 19:22 Timothy’s name means “one who honors God.” He was Paul’s spiritual son and later became an apostolic church planter. See 1 and 2 Timothy. and Erastus, # 19:22 Erastus means “beloved.” He was possibly the treasurer of the city of Corinth. See Rom. 16:23; 2 Tim. 4:20. while he remained in western Turkey. # 19:22 Or “the province of Asia” (Minor).
23At that time a major disturbance erupted in Ephesus over the people following God’s way. # 19:23 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is simply “the way.” 24It began with a wealthy man named Demetrius, who had built a large business and enriched many craftsmen by manufacturing silver shrines for the Greek goddess Artemis. # 19:24 Also known as Diana. She was venerated as the daughter of Zeus and the sister of Apollo.
25-26Demetrius called a meeting of his employees, along with all the various tradespeople of Ephesus, and said, “You know that our prosperous livelihood is being threatened by this Paul, who is persuading crowds of people to turn away from our gods. # 19:25–26 The true worship of God threatens not only the political realm, but the spiritual and economic realm as well. Jesus compels men to adopt new values. We make a good living by doing what we do, but everywhere Paul goes, not only here in Ephesus but throughout western Turkey, # 19:25–26 Or “the [Roman] province of Asia [Minor].” he convinces people that there’s no such thing as a god made with hands. 27Our businesses are in danger of being discredited. And not only that, but the temple of our great goddess Artemis is being dishonored and seen as worthless. # 19:27 The temple of Artemis (Diana) is one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. We must never put buildings or temples above the true worship of God. The Ephesians valued their goddess and economic standards more than truth. She is the goddess of all of western Turkey and is worshiped in all the world. But if this outrage continues, everyone everywhere will suffer the loss of her magnificent greatness.”
28When the people heard this, they were filled with boiling rage. They shouted over and over, “Artemis, the great goddess of the Ephesians!” 29The entire city was thrown into chaos as everyone rushed into the stadium together, # 19:29 The stadium of Ephesus has recently been discovered and is estimated to have held twenty-four thousand spectators. dragging with them Gaius # 19:29 Gaius’ name is a variant form of “lord.” There is speculation that he could be the man to whom the apostle John wrote his third letter (3 John). and Aristarchus, # 19:29 Aristarchus’ name means “best ruler.” He was a native of Thessalonica (Acts 20:4; 27:2). He traveled often with Paul and is also mentioned in Col. 4:10 and Philem. 24, called there Paul’s “fellow prisoner.” Church tradition states that he was martyred by Emperor Nero for loving and serving Jesus Christ. Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.
30When Paul attempted to go in and speak to the massive crowd, the disciples wouldn’t let him. 31Some of the high-ranking governmental officials of the region, because they loved him, # 19:31 As translated from the Aramaic. sent Paul an urgent message, saying, “Whatever you do, don’t step foot into that stadium!”
32The frenzied crowd shouted out one thing, and others shouted something else, until they were all in mass confusion, with many not even knowing why they were there!
33Some of the Jews pushed forward a Jewish man named Alexander to be their spokesman, and different factions of the crowd shouted instructions at him. He stood before the people and motioned for everyone to be quiet so he could be heard. 34But when he began to speak, they realized that he was a Jew, so they shouted him down. For nearly two hours they shouted over and over, “Great is Artemis, the goddess of the Ephesians!” # 19:34 Artemis, the great goddess of the Ephesians, has faded from history, while we fill stadiums today for conferences and revivals and say, “Great is the God Most High!”
35Eventually the mayor of the city # 19:35 The Aramaic is “the city governor.” The Greek is “city clerk” or “scribe” (or “keeper of the records”). For all practical purposes he would be or represent the mayor of the city. was able to quiet them down. He said, “Fellow citizens! Who in the world doesn’t know that we are devoted to the great temple # 19:35 As translated from the Aramaic, the Greek is “custodians of the temple.” of Artemis and to her image that fell from Zeus out of heaven? # 19:35 The Aramaic is “her face that fell from heaven.” Much conjecture has been made over this statement. Some of the oldest translations have “fell from Zeus [Jupiter],” while most modern translations have “fell from the sky [heaven].” Some believe it was an aerolite that was fashioned into a stature of Artemis; however, Pliny the Elder, a Roman author and philosopher who died trying to save relatives from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, says it was made from wood, possibly ebony (Naturalis Historia 16.79.213–14). 36Since no one can deny it, you should all just be quiet. Calm down and don’t do anything hasty. 37For you have brought these men before us who aren’t guilty of any crime. They are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38So if Demetrius and the men of his trade have a case against someone, the courts are open. They can appear before the judge and press charges. 39But if you’re looking for anything further to bring up, it must be argued before the court and settled there, not here. 40Don’t you realize we’re putting our city in danger of being accused of a riot by the Roman authorities? There’s no good explanation we can give them for all this commotion!”
41After he had said this, he dispersed the crowds and sent them away.
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationActs 19
19
Paul in Ephesus
1While Apollos was in the city of Corinth, Paul was visiting some places on his way to Ephesus. In Ephesus he found some other followers of the Lord. 2He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
These followers said to him, “We have never even heard of a Holy Spirit!”
3Paul asked them, “So what kind of baptism did you have?”
They said, “It was the baptism that John taught.”
4Paul said, “John told people to be baptized to show they wanted to change their lives. He told people to believe in the one who would come after him, and that one is Jesus.”
5When these followers heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6Then Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came on them. They began speaking different languages and prophesying. 7There were about twelve men in this group.
8Paul went into the synagogue and spoke very boldly. He continued doing this for three months. He talked with the Jews, trying to persuade them to accept what he was telling them about God’s kingdom. 9But some of them became stubborn and refused to believe. In front of everyone, they said bad things about the Way. So Paul left these Jews and took the Lord’s followers with him. He went to a place where a man named Tyrannus had a school. There Paul talked with people every day. 10He did this for two years. Because of this work, everyone in Asia, Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.
The Sons of Sceva
11God used Paul to do some very special miracles. 12Some people carried away handkerchiefs and clothes that Paul had used and put them on those who were sick. The sick people were healed, and evil spirits left them.
13-14Some Jews also were traveling around forcing evil spirits out of people. The seven sons of Sceva, one of the leading priests, were doing this. These Jews tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus to make the evil spirits go out of people. They all said, “By the same Jesus that Paul talks about, I order you to come out!”
15But one time an evil spirit said to these Jews, “I know Jesus, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
16Then the man who had the evil spirit inside him jumped on these Jews. He was much stronger than all of them. He beat them up and tore their clothes off. They all ran away from that house.
17All the people in Ephesus, Jews and Greeks, learned about this. They were all filled with fear and gave great honor to the Lord Jesus. 18Many of the believers began to confess, telling about all the evil things they had done. 19Some of them had used magic. These believers brought their magic books and burned them before everyone. These books were worth about 50,000 silver coins.#19:19 silver coins Probably Greek drachmas. One coin was worth the average pay for one day’s work. 20This is how the word of the Lord was spreading in a powerful way, causing more and more people to believe.
Paul Plans a Trip
21After this, Paul made plans to go to Jerusalem. He planned to go through the regions of Macedonia and Achaia, and then go to Jerusalem. He thought, “After I visit Jerusalem, I must also visit Rome.” 22Timothy and Erastus were two of his helpers. Paul sent them ahead to Macedonia. But he stayed in Asia for a while.
Trouble in Ephesus
23But during that time there was some trouble in Ephesus about the Way. This is how it all happened: 24There was a man named Demetrius. He worked with silver. He made little silver models that looked like the temple of the goddess Artemis. The men who did this work made a lot of money.
25Demetrius had a meeting with these men and some others who did the same kind of work. He told them, “Men, you know that we make a lot of money from our business. 26But look at what this man Paul is doing. Listen to what he is saying. He has convinced many people in Ephesus and all over Asia to change their religion. He says the gods that people make by hand are not real. 27I’m afraid this is going to turn people against our business. But there is also another problem. People will begin to think that the temple of the great goddess Artemis is not important. Her greatness will be destroyed. And Artemis is the goddess that everyone in Asia and the whole world worships.”
28When the men heard this, they became very angry. They shouted, “Great is Artemis, the goddess of Ephesus!” 29The whole city was thrown into confusion. The people grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus, men from Macedonia who were traveling with Paul, and rushed all together into the stadium. 30Paul wanted to go in and talk to the people, but the Lord’s followers did not let him go. 31Also, some leaders of the country who were friends of Paul sent him a message telling him not to go into the stadium.
32Some people were shouting one thing and others were shouting something else. The meeting was very confused. Most of the people did not know why they had come there. 33Some Jews made a man named Alexander stand before the crowd, and they told him what to say. Alexander waved his hand, trying to explain things to the people. 34But when the people saw that Alexander was a Jew, they all began shouting the same thing. For two hours they continued shouting, “Great is Artemis of Ephesus! Great is Artemis of Ephesus! Great is Artemis …!”
35Then the city clerk persuaded the people to be quiet. He said, “Men of Ephesus, everyone knows that Ephesus is the city that keeps the temple of the great goddess Artemis. Everyone knows that we also keep her holy rock.#19:35 holy rock Probably a meteorite or rock that the people thought looked like Artemis and worshiped. 36No one can deny this, so you should be quiet. You must stop and think before you do anything else.
37“You brought these men#19:37 men Gaius and Aristarchus, the men traveling with Paul. here, but they have not said anything bad against our goddess. They have not stolen anything from her temple. 38We have courts of law and there are judges. Do Demetrius and those men who work with him have a charge against anyone? They should go to the courts. Let them argue with each other there.
39“Is there something else you want to talk about? Then come to the regular town meeting of the people. It can be decided there. 40I say this because someone might see this trouble today and say we are rioting. We could not explain all this trouble, because there is no real reason for this meeting.” 41After the city clerk said this, he told the people to go home.
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