Acts 19:23-41

The Riot in Ephesus

While Timothy and Erastus were away, a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made shrines of Diana, or Artemis, began to stir people up against Christianity. He called together the other members of his craft, reminding them that their wealth came from making silver idols. He truthfully reported that Paul's preaching had impacted people in Ephesus and throughout Asia. He said Paul had declared idols made with hands were not gods, to the point of destroying their business and causing Diana to fall into disrepute.

The enraged mob began to shout, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" Of course, the whole city came together to see what was happening. Along the way, they seized two Macedonian travel companions of Paul, Gaius and Aristarchus. Paul wanted to go in to the people, but the brethren would not allow it. Asian officials who were his friends also pleaded with him not to enter the theatre. Luke reported that many in the crowd did not even know what was happening.

When some Jews singled out Alexander to make a defense and the people found out he was a Jew, the crowd shouted, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" for two hours. Then, the city clerk quieted the crowd and appealed for reason and a lawful approach to the matter. After all, he said, no one could deny Ephesus was the guardian of Diana. He proposed that Demetrius and his colleagues make their case before the authorities, if they had a case. He warned that such an assembly might be questioned by the Roman government and quietly dismissed the crowd (Acts 19:23-41).