Acts 19
Paul in Ephesus
1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus and found certain disciples.
2He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They said to him, “No, we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Christ Jesus.”
5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.
7They were about twelve men in all.
8He entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning God’s Kingdom.
9But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
10This continued for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
11God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul,
12so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out.
13But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
14There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this.
15The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?”
16The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18Many also of those who had believed came, confessing and declaring their deeds.
19Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted their price, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.
21Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
22Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
The Riot in Ephesus
23About that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way.
24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen,
25whom he gathered together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth.
26You see and hear that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods that are made with hands.
27Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.”
28When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
29The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel.
30When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him.
31Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.
32Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together.
33They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.
34But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?
36Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rash.
37For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.
38If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another.
39But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly.
40For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.”
41When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
Paul's ministry in Ephesus demonstrates the power of the gospel through proper baptism, miraculous healings, and spiritual warfare. His encounter with John's disciples reveals the importance of receiving the Holy Spirit, while extraordinary miracles and the failed exorcism by Sceva's sons establish God's authentic power over counterfeit spirituality. The chapter culminates in a riot led by silversmith Demetrius, whose livelihood making Artemis shrines is threatened by the spread of Christianity, showing how the gospel challenges both spiritual and economic systems.
Context
This chapter represents the climax of Paul's third missionary journey, following his work in Galatia and Phrygia (18:23) and setting up his final journey to Jerusalem described in chapters 20-21.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-7Paul Encounters John's DisciplesPaul finds disciples who received only John's baptism and leads them to proper Christian baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit.
- 8-10Ministry in Synagogue and SchoolPaul preaches in the synagogue for three months, then moves to Tyrannus's school for two years, reaching all of Asia.
- 11-20Extraordinary Miracles and Spiritual WarfareGod works special miracles through Paul while the sons of Sceva fail at exorcism, leading to mass confession and burning of magic books.
- 21-22Paul's Travel PlansPaul determines to visit Macedonia, Achaia, Jerusalem, and Rome, sending Timothy and Erastus ahead.
- 23-41The Riot of DemetriusSilversmith Demetrius incites a riot against Paul, fearing Christianity threatens the Artemis trade, but the city clerk restores order.
Paul in Ephesus
19:1–19:22Paul baptizes disciples in Ephesus who receive the Holy Spirit, performs extraordinary miracles, and demonstrates God's power over evil spirits when unauthorized exorcists are overpowered by demons.
person_contrast
Apollos, typically associated with eloquent teaching and church fellowship, here appears uniquely alongside kingdom proclamation and miraculous demonstrations of divine power through Paul's ministry.
The Riot in Ephesus
19:23–19:41A riot erupts in Ephesus when silversmith Demetrius incites craftsmen against Paul, fearing that Christian teaching threatens their profitable trade in Artemis shrines and the goddess's worship.
person_contrast
Paul's ministry collides with economic interests as Demetrius frames religious opposition in purely financial terms, revealing how spiritual transformation threatens established commercial systems.
Acts 19:1
Matthew 16:13lexicalNow when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son…
Acts 18:24lexicalNow a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptur…
Acts 19:2
Ephesians 1:13lexicalIn him you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you…
Acts 2:33lexicalBeing therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he…
Acts 19:3
Mark 1:4lexicalJohn came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.
Luke 7:29lexicalWhen all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s ba…
Acts 19:4
Mark 1:4lexicalJohn came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.
Acts 13:24lexicalbefore his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.
Luke 7:29lexicalWhen all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s ba…
Matthew 21:25lexicalThe baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘Fr…
Acts 19:6
Acts 8:19lexicalsaying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:17lexicalThen they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9:17lexicalAnanias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to…
Acts 2:4lexicalThey were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability t…
Acts 21:11lexicalComing to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews at J…
Acts 19:8
Acts 18:4lexicalHe reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Acts 26:26lexicalFor the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden…
Acts 28:23lexicalWhen they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s…
Luke 4:38lexicalHe rose up from the synagogue and entered into Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, an…
Acts 19:10
Acts 14:1lexicalIn Iconium, they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and o…
Acts 2:9lexicalParthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia,
Romans 3:9lexicalWhat then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks that they are all under…
Romans 1:16lexicalFor I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes,…
Romans 2:10lexicalBut glory, honor, and peace go to every man who does good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Acts 19:12
Luke 7:21lexicalIn that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight.
Matthew 10:1lexicalHe called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal e…
Acts 20:35lexicalIn all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord…
Acts 19:16
Matthew 8:28lexicalWhen he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there, coming…
Luke 11:26lexicalThen he goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of…
Matthew 12:45lexicalThen he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The las…
Acts 19:17
Acts 2:14lexicalBut Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea and all you who dwe…
Acts 18:24lexicalNow a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptur…
Romans 3:9lexicalWhat then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously warned both Jews and Greeks that they are all under…
Romans 1:16lexicalFor I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes,…
Romans 2:10lexicalBut glory, honor, and peace go to every man who does good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Acts 19:21
Acts 25:9lexicalBut Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be…
Acts 17:14lexicalThen the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there.
Acts 1:16lexical“Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of…
Acts 21:4lexicalHaving found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go up to Je…
Luke 11:26lexicalThen he goes and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of…
Acts 19:26
Acts 20:16lexicalFor Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it…
Acts 21:27lexicalWhen the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multi…
Acts 14:19lexicalBut some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him…
Acts 26:29lexicalPaul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me today, might b…
Acts 19:27
Acts 21:27lexicalWhen the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multi…
Acts 11:28lexicalOne of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, wh…
Revelation 3:10lexicalBecause you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world…
Revelation 16:14lexicalfor they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them…
Revelation 12:9lexicalThe great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world…
Acts 19:29
Acts 27:2lexicalEmbarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus,…
Acts 20:4lexicalThese accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe,…
Acts 7:57lexicalBut they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears, then rushed at him with one accord.
Acts 25:23lexicalSo on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing wi…
Acts 21:30lexicalAll the city was moved and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the…
Acts 19:32
1 Corinthians 11:18lexicalFor first of all, when you come together in the assembly, I hear that divisions exist among you, and I partly believe it…
Revelation 7:2lexicalI saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four a…
Acts 2:6lexicalWhen this sound was heard, the multitude came together and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his…
John 20:30lexicalTherefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book;
Mark 12:5lexicalAgain he sent another, and they killed him, and many others, beating some, and killing some.
Acts 19:34
Revelation 14:15lexicalAnother angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Send your sickle and reap,…
Revelation 19:17lexicalI saw an angel standing in the sun. He cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the sky, “Come! Be g…
Revelation 18:2lexicalHe cried with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and she has become a habitation of demons, a…
Acts 7:57lexicalBut they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears, then rushed at him with one accord.
Revelation 7:2lexicalI saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four a…
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Historical Context
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