Acts 19:35

And when the townclerk It is not easy to find an English word which comes at all near the significance of this title. "Recorder" has been proposed, because he had charge of the city archives, and Luther calls him "chancellor." He was a most important personage, and his title is found at times on the coinage, and he gave name in some places to the year, like the Archon at Athens. Through him all public communications were made to the city, and in his name replies were given. It is this part of his duty which has led to the rendering "town-clerk."

had appeased the people Better (with the Rev. Ver.) had quieted the crowd. The appeasing was done afterwards by his speech. All that he could effect at first, was by the influence of his presence, to induce the assembled mob to mitigate their clamour and give him a hearing.

he said Gk. he saith. The speech is full of ability, and shews that the man was fitted for his eminent position. It seems to shew also that the higher classes (as has been noticed in the case of the Asiarchs) were not so devoted to the service of the goddess as were the common people.

Ye men of Ephesus … is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana The oldest MSS. omit "goddess" and only read "the great Artemis." The word rendered "worshipper" is literally "temple-sweeper." The name no doubt was first used to imply that any office in the service of so magnificent a goddess was a grand distinction; and not in Ephesus only did the worshippers of a special divinity apply this title to themselves. The Rev. Ver. gives "temple-keeper."

and of the image which fell down from Jupiter The same was said of the Palladium of the Trojans (Verg. Aen. ii. 183). The first clause of the speech is directed to point out how uncalled for their uproar is. There is no need for them to shout about the greatness of the Ephesian goddess. Everybody in the world is aware how devoted the city is to her worship and how glorious is her temple.