Acts 19

Paul's Ministry in Ephesus Acts 19:8–10

⁸Verse 8. He entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning God’s Kingdom. ⁹Verse 9. But 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. ¹⁰Verse 10. This continued for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Miracles and Wonders by Paul Acts 19:11–12

¹¹Verse 11. God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul, ¹²Verse 12. so 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.

Jewish Exorcists and Paul Acts 19:13–20

¹³Verse 13. But 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.” ¹⁴Verse 14. There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this. ¹⁵Verse 15. The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” ¹⁶Verse 16. The 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. ¹⁷Verse 17. This 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.

¹⁸Verse 18. Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. ¹⁹Verse 19. Many 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. ²⁰Verse 20. So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.

Paul's Future Plans Acts 19:21–22

²¹Verse 21. Now 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.” ²²Verse 22. Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

Riot Over Artemis Acts 19:23–34

²³Verse 23. About that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. ²⁴Verse 24. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen, ²⁵Verse 25. whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth. ²⁶Verse 26. You 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. ²⁷Verse 27. Not 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.”

²⁸Verse 28. When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹Verse 29. The 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. ³⁰Verse 30. When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him. ³¹Verse 31. Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. ³²Verse 32. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together.

³³Verse 33. They 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. ³⁴Verse 34. But 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!”

Resolution of the Riot Acts 19:35–41

³⁵Verse 35. When 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? ³⁶Verse 36. Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. ³⁷Verse 37. For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. ³⁸Verse 38. If 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.

³⁹Verse 39. But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly. ⁴⁰Verse 40. For 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.” ⁴¹Verse 41. When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.