Page 88 - Acts Student Textbook

Thirdly, they were “confessing and disclosing their practices" (19:18): It was common belief that
revealing one's magical formula made it ineffective. This was their way of repudiating their past
occultic activities. There is a type of magic literature famous in the ancient world called "Ephesian
writings"! This incident shows the gospel's superiority over the occult (cf. v. 20).

Fourthly, they brought "magic...books... burning them in the sight of everyone "(19:19): The "books"
(biblous) could refer to large books or small scrolls of papyri on which
oaths or curses were written. These were very expensive and sought
after books and parchments. These were worn as amulets. The huge
price shows (1) how superstitious these people were and (2) how the
gospel had set them free! Their burning was these new believers' public
repentance and profession of faith in Christ, not "the powers"!

Jesus over shallow Secularism (19:23-41)

What was the real cause for riot in Ephesus?

This was begun by a silversmith named Demetrius. He and other craftsmen made much profit by
making silver shrines (probably small statues). There is debate among scholars as to whether the
goddess Artemis is the same as Diana. Those who agree say that Artemis is the Greek term for Diana.
Diana (Greek Artemis) was an ancient fertility goddess. In Ephesus was a great temple to this goddess
(v35), which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The people of the city were deeply
attached to the temple and the worship of Artemis. And the silversmiths were deeply attached to the
money they made off the shrines! Luke says, "was no little business" This persecution had major
economic basis (cf. vv. 25, 27).

Paul was a real threat to their wealth because he taught that nothing made by hands could be a god
(cf. 17:29). Demetrius said that, not only would such a doctrine ruin their business, but it would also
lead to the downfall of Artemis and her great temple.

Most of the persecutions Paul endured came from Jews and generally was achieved by means of
falsehoods and misrepresentations, motivated by jealousy and desire for power. But when
persecution came from Gentiles, here as in Acts 16:16ff, the problem was often caused by greed.
People were making money off their false religion and they did not want people cutting off their
source of income! This is often true today. Criticize a man’s religion and he may be upset. Hit his
Pocketbook and he may become violent!

In this case, the charges against Paul were basically true. He did teach that gods made with hands are
not true gods. Note that the concern these men showed demonstrates that Paul’s work was well
known and was having an effect among the people of Asia (19:26-27). Why else would these men
have any concern? Note further that none of the men expressed any consideration regarding the
question of what may be right about the matter. No one even mentions the possibility that they
should investigate the evidence and see who had the truth. The issue was money and that was
enough!

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