Chapter Nineteen
Paul in Ephesus
Ephesus was a major trade center as well as a culturally rich city in Asia, making it the perfect home for occultism, spirit magic, and the worship of the Greek goddess Artemis (also known as the Roman goddess Diana). The temple of Artemis is considered to be one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World and attracted visitors from all around the world.
19:1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul was in Asia in or near Ephesus when he met some disciples (Greek mathētas, a learner, a pupil of a teacher, the use does not imply a believer, in the New Testament the word is used for disciples of Pharisees and John the Baptist as well as Jesus, see Matthew 9:14; 11:12; Mark 2:18; Luke 5:33; 7:18-19; 11:1; John 1:35; 3:25). Paul asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed. They replied that they had not even heard about a Holy Spirit. Paul then asked them, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” So Paul explained to them that John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one that was to come, referring to Jesus. Understanding that they were to now believe in Jesus, they were baptized in the name of Jesus. Like Apollos in the previous chapter, these disciples were unaware of Jesus and His completed work on the cross, which made salvation possible (see Acts 18:24-28). The difference was not the baptism, it was in who they had believed. Like Apollos, they were looking forward to a redeemer, just like all of the Old Testament saints, knowing and having faith in God’s promises. But now with the knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, the only source of salvation, they became believers, we could call them “New Testament saints” in which the Holy Spirit dwells. Then Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came on them (click here to read more about the laying on of hands), and like many in the Bible after receiving the Spirit they began to speak in tongues and prophesy (see Numbers 11:25-27; 1 Samuel 10:9-13; 19:18-24). Luke estimates that there were about twelve of them.
19:8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Paul regularly went into the synagogue in Ephesus where he spoke to the Jews boldly, using reason and persuasive arguments regarding the kingdom of God for three months. But there were some that were obstinate and continued in their unbelief, who then started to speak evil (Greek kakologountes, to denounce, to verbally abuse) against the Way (the name believers used before the name Christian was embraced, first seen in Acts 9:2, will be used several more times in Acts) before the congregation of Jews. So Paul stopped visiting the synagogue and took the other believers with him and they began to reason daily in the hall of Tyrannus (unknown location, and if named after someone, that person is also unknown, some believe it may have been a nickname, the root of the word is where the English word ‘tyrant’ is derived, it means ruler or sovereign, but infers that they seized that power illegally, a despot, in both the Greek and Latin). Luke informs us that Paul did this for two years, so that people throughout Asia, both Jews and the Greeks, heard the Word of the Lord.
Some manuscripts add the hours that Paul reasoned in the hall of Tyrannus, those being from the fifth hour to the tenth hour (or from 11:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M.), although it appears that none of the English Bible versions include the reference to the hours.
19:11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
There is a substantial number of interpretations, speculations, and superstitions that have been developed regarding these verses. The important fact is what is stated in verse eleven, “God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul.” God was doing the miracles, not Paul, not his skin, and certainly not the handkerchiefs! God allowed Paul to demonstrate that what he preached was true. While the Spiritual gift of healing is still available today, Paul and the other apostles were given something special from God. Is it still available today? Ask God, as nothing is impossible for God. But it appears to be either very rare or intentionally limited to the apostles that were sent by Jesus directly. In addition to the healing they were able to call evil spirits out of people (see below).
19:13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.
Luke inserts an anecdote about seven itinerant (Greek perierchomenōn, to go about or wander around) exorcists, sons of a high priest, that invoked the name of Jesus over some individuals that had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
19:15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
The evil spirit responded, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15b, NLT) Being non-believers they did not have the Holy Spirit, nor any authority. The man then attacked all seven and beat them, leaving them wounded and running away naked.
19:17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.
The news of this event spread to all the residents of Ephesus. It became clear that the name of Jesus was powerful, more than their magic and pagan beliefs, the name of Jesus was the extolled (Greek emegalyneto, made great, magnified).
19:18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
The event may be somewhat humorous to readers today, but with all of the healings and evil spirit expulsions, it was the final event that set into motion a chain reaction. Seeing that Jesus had authority over all things, those that were involved in magic arts brought out all of their “how to” books and burned them in public. They tallied up the value of these books which came to the total of 50,000 pieces of silver. Depending on the weight of each piece, the estimated worth would range from $35,000 to $4,000,000 in today’s market. The gospel message continued to spread and many came to know Jesus as their Savior.
19:21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
Luke halts the narrative to inform us about God’s plan for Paul. He is instructed to go through Macedonia and Achaia and then turn around and go to Jerusalem. After being there he is to see Rome. Paul sends Timothy and Erastus ahead, but remains in Asia for a while.
Considerations
Does God Still Heal?
Yes, God still heals today, often for the same reason we see here in the book of Acts, to remove any intellectual barriers preventing someone from accepting Jesus as their Savior. Even with the gift of healing, God is sovereign and will always determine if a person is healed or not, nothing is automatic or up to the person who possesses the gift. Does God still offer healing through the touch of garments, cloth, or any object? Again, that is up to Him, while likely limited to the original apostles, nothing is impossible with God.
Should Christians Be Exorcists?
The quick answer is no! While we are to be prepared for Spiritual Warfare (see Ephesians 6:10-18), that is primarily for defense, not offense. When the need for an offense arises, Paul tells us our weapons are the sword, the Word of God, and prayer (see Ephesians 6:17-18). There are no instructions offered for exorcisms. Pastor and Bible commentator Dr. John MacArthur, Jr. writes:
The fascination, seen today in some Christian circles, with exorcising demons is without biblical support and dangerous. The assumption that a believer has authority to command demons and Satan, or to bind them, is fiction. Even Michael the archangel would not be so bold (cf. Jude 1:9). And reducing the Christian life to a demon hunt obviates believers’ biblically mandated responsibility to pursue true sanctification by holiness and godly living. Nowhere in the epistles is there any promise to Christians that they can deliver the unsaved from demons.[1]
A Riot Started in Ephesus
19:23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen.
Luke precedes the telling of this incident with a “heads up” alert that a major disturbance concerning the Way, the believers in Jesus, was ‘brewing’. He identifies a man named Demetrius who was a silversmith that made silver shrines of Artemis (Greek naus, referring to a temple, not just an idol, in context miniature copies of the temple of Artemis) which were very popular and was a lucrative market that kept many craftsmen busy.
19:25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 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 great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
Demetrius called a meeting of his fellow craftsmen and workmen from similar trades and told them that through the business of selling silver shrines they have been paid well, but now the future is not looking good as sales are declining. He then calls their attention to Paul, who he attributes that not only there in Ephesus, but almost all of Asia he has persuaded a lot of people to believe that “gods made with hands are not gods.” And as a result, their businesses may lose their good name and the temple of Artemis will be robbed of her great prestige. Motivated by the potential loss of revenue, Demetrius riles up the crowd with an emotional concern for Artemis’ reputation.
19:28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s companions in travel.
The crowd in response became angry and began to shout “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Luke notes that the city was filled with confusion (Greek synchyseōs, to pour together, uproar) taking to the streets then rushing into the theater. Along the way they grabbed Gaius (possibly Gaius of Derbe but that is in Galatia not Macedonia, see Acts 20:4) and Aristarchus (from Thessalonica, see Acts 20:4; 27:2; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24) who traveled with Paul.
19:30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater.
Paul desired to go in and speak to the crowd gathered in the theater, but was stopped by the disciples. Luke adds that some of his friends that were Asiarchs (believed to be high-ranking officials of the province of Asia) also sent word to him to not attend.
19:32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
The confusion continued as many of the people in the theater were not aware of what was going on, nor did they understand why they had gathered there. As the pandemonium grew, some of the Jews prompted Alexander to speak, he motioned with his hand to silence the crowd to present a defense (probably wanting to distance themselves from the Christians). But when they saw that he was a Jew the crowd began to shout for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
19:35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.
Finally the town clerk was able to quiet down the crowd. He tells them that everyone knows that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and keeper of the sacred stone that fell out of the sky, and since these facts are incontrovertible, he essentially asks what earthly power could threaten her? So he asks everyone to be quiet and not do anything rash. The Greek word diopetous (meaning “which fell from Jupiter”) can be seen translated as a stone, an image, or as a statue.
The clerk’s reference to an “image … from heaven” probably meant a meteorite. Meteorites were often associated with the worship of the Mother Goddess. The most famous of these was the sacred stone taken from Pessinus to Rome in 204 B.C. A meteorite also seems to have been associated with the cult of the Taurian Artemis. Although there is no evidence beyond this text for such a sacred stone being connected with the Ephesian cult, it is altogether likely that one existed, given this common association of the mother goddess with a “stone from heaven.”[2]
19:37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.
The town clerk pointed out that none of the men they dragged into the theater were guilty of being sacrilegious (Greek hierosylous, one who robs or spoils temples) or blaspheming Artemis.
19:38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.
He then criticizes Demetrius and the craftsmen for starting a riot and that if they have a legitimate complaint that they should use their legal system and file charges.
19:39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
The town clerk continues to note that if they desire further action that it must be decided on by a legal assembly, not by “mob action.” He warns them that they are in danger of being charged with rioting, as there is no justifiable cause for this commotion. He then dismissed the assembly.
Considerations
No Insurrections
The Roman Empire had near zero-tolerance for any revolt, mob action, reckless use of force, or riots of any size that could lead into an insurrection, and typically would respond quickly and brutally. Any hint of a revolt or riot was feared by both the people and the leadership. If the situation escalated to a full-fledged insurrection, the local Roman rulers could be held responsible by the emperor and could either be demoted or executed.
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[1] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1994). Acts (Vol. 2, p. 171). Moody Press.
[2] Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 413). Broadman & Holman Publishers.