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JULY 16
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy not venture into the theater. Some therefore
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them, cried one thing and some another, for the
Because they refuse to do justice. assembly was confused, and most of them did
not know why they had come together. And
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8
The way of a guilty man is perverse; they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the
But as for the pure, his work is right.
Jews putting him forward. And Alexander mo-
Acts 19:21–41 tioned with his hand, and wanted to make his
defense to the people. But when they found
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21 When these things were accomplished,
Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried
out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the
passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go Ephesians!”
to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been
there, I must also see Rome.” So he sent into
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Macedonia two of those who ministered to
him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself
stayed in Asia for a time. 19:31 officials of Asia. Known by the title
“Asiarchs,” these members of the aristocracy
were dedicated to promoting Roman inter-
ests.Though only one Asiarch ruled at a time,
they bore the title for life.That such powerful,
19:21 I must also see Rome. Paul had not vis- influential men were Paul’s friends shows that
ited the Imperial capital; but because of the they did not regard him or his message as
strategic importance of the church there, he criminal.Hence,there was no legitimate cause
could stay away no longer. In addition, Paul for the riot.
intended to use Rome as a jumping-off point
for ministry in the strategic region of Spain 19:33 Alexander.Probably not the false teacher
(Rom.15:22–24).This simple declaration marked later active at Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:20) or the indi-
a turning point in Acts—from this point on, vidual who opposed Paul at Rome (2 Tim. 4:14),
Rome became Paul’s goal. He would ultimately since the name was common. He was either a
arrive there as a Roman prisoner (28:16). Christian Jew or a spokesman for Ephesus’s
Jewish community. Either way, the Jews’ motive
for putting him forward was the same—to dis-
And about that time there arose a great associate themselves from the Christians and
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commotion about the Way. For a certain man avoid a massacre of the Jews.make his defense.
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named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made Either of the Christians, or the Jews, depending
silver shrines of Diana, brought no small on which group he represented.
profit to the craftsmen. He called them
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together with the workers of similar occupa-
tion, and said: “Men, you know that we have 35 And when the city clerk had quieted the
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our prosperity by this trade. Moreover you crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is
see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but there who does not know that the city of the
throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has per- Ephesians is temple guardian of the great god-
suaded and turned away many people, saying dess Diana, and of the image which fell down
that they are not gods which are made with from Zeus? Therefore, since these things
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hands. So not only is this trade of ours in dan- cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and
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ger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple do nothing rashly. For you have brought
of the great goddess Diana may be despised these men here who are neither robbers of
and her magnificence destroyed, whom all temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.
Asia and the world worship.” 38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow crafts-
28 Now when they heard this, they were full men have a case against anyone, the courts
of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana are open and there are proconsuls. Let them
of the Ephesians!” So the whole city was bring charges against one another. But if you
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filled with confusion, and rushed into the the- have any other inquiry to make, it shall be
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ater with one accord, having seized Gaius and determined in the lawful assembly. For we
Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel com- are in danger of being called in question for
panions. And when Paul wanted to go in to today’s uproar, there being no reason which
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the people, the disciples would not allow him. we may give to account for this disorderly
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31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were gathering.” And when he had said these
his friends, sent to him pleading that he would things, he dismissed the assembly.
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