Acts Chapter 19

The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus

(Joel 2:28-32; John 14:15-26; John 16:5-16; Acts 2:1-13; Acts 10:44-48)

1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve.

Paul Ministers in Ephesus

(Revelation 2:1-7)

8And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

11And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

The Sons of Sceva

13Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

The Riot in Ephesus

21After these things were ended, Paul purposed 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. 22So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

23And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

28And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 30And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. 32Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. 34But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 35And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? 36Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. 38Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. 39But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. 40For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. 41And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus
(Acts 10:44–48)

1 It happened that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They said to him, “No, we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied. 7 They were about twelve men in all.

Paul Ministers in Ephesus
(Ephesians 1:1–2; Revelation 2:1–7)

8 He entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning the Kingdom of God. 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. 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.

11 God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the evil spirits went out.

Seven Sons of Sceva

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.” 14 There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this. 15 The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” 16 The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 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. 18 Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. 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. 20 So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty.

The Riot in Ephesus

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

23 About that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen, 25 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth. 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. 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.”

28 When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 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. 30 When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him. 31 Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. 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. 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. 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!” 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? 36 Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 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. 39 But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning this day’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.” 41 When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus
(Acts 10:44–48)

1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior a and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”

“No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3 “Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked.

“The baptism of John,” they replied.

4 Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

Paul Ministers in Ephesus
(Ephesians 1:1–2; Revelation 2:1–7)

8 Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, b Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.

11 God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs c and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them.

Seven Sons of Sceva

13 Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I bind you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.

15 Eventually, one of the evil spirits answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. The attack was so violent that they ran out of the house naked and wounded.

17 This became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and fear came over all of them. So the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many who had believed now came forward, confessing and disclosing their deeds. 19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. d 20 So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.

The Riot in Ephesus

21 After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit e to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.” 22 He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed for a time in the province of Asia.

23 About that time there arose a great disturbance f about the Way. 24 It began with a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business g to the craftsmen.

25 Demetrius assembled the craftsmen, along with the workmen in related trades. “Men,” he said, “you know that this business is our source of prosperity. 26 And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our business will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited and her majesty deposed—she who is worshiped by all the province of Asia and the whole world.”

28 When the men heard this, they were enraged and began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia.

30 Paul wanted to go before the assembly, but the disciples would not allow him. 31 Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia h sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.

32 Meanwhile the assembly was in turmoil. Some were shouting one thing and some another, and most of them did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people. 34 But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35 Finally the city clerk quieted the crowd and declared, “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t everyone know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Since these things are undeniable, you ought to be calm and not do anything rash. 37 For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess.

38 So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there. 39 But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”

41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

Footnotes:

1 a Or the highland
10 b Literally in Asia ; Asia was a Roman province in what is now western Turkey; similarly in verses 22, 26, 27, and 31.
12 c Greek soudaria
19 d Or fifty thousand pieces of silver.  A drachma was a silver coin worth about one day’s wages.
21 e Or resolved in spirit
23 f Literally there arose no little disturbance
24 g Literally bringing no little business
31 h Or friends who were Asiarchs

The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus

(Joel 2:28-32; John 14:15-26; John 16:5-16; Acts 2:1-13; Acts 10:44-48)

1And it came to pass, in Apollos' being in Corinth, Paul having gone through the upper parts, came to Ephesus, and having found certain disciples, 2he said unto them, 'The Holy Spirit did ye receive -- having believed?' and they said unto him, 'But we did not even hear whether there is any Holy Spirit;' 3and he said unto them, 'To what, then, were ye baptized?' and they said, 'To John's baptism.' 4And Paul said, 'John, indeed, did baptize with a baptism of reformation, saying to the people that in him who is coming after him they should believe -- that is, in the Christ -- Jesus;' 5and they, having heard, were baptized -- to the name of the Lord Jesus, 6and Paul having laid on them his hands, the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were speaking also with tongues, and prophesying, 7and all the men were, as it were, twelve.

Paul Ministers in Ephesus

(Revelation 2:1-7)

8And having gone into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading the things concerning the reign of God, 9and when certain were hardened and were disbelieving, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, having departed from them, he did separate the disciples, every day reasoning in the school of a certain Tyrannus. 10And this happened for two years so that all those dwelling in Asia did hear the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks,

11mighty works also -- not common -- was God working through the hands of Paul, 12so that even unto the ailing were brought from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the sicknesses departed from them; the evil spirits also went forth from them.

The Sons of Sceva

13And certain of the wandering exorcist Jews, took upon them to name over those having the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, 'We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul doth preach;' 14and there were certain -- seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest -- who are doing this thing; 15and the evil spirit, answering, said, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with; and ye -- who are ye?' 16And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaping upon them, and having overcome them, prevailed against them, so that naked and wounded they did flee out of that house, 17and this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who are dwelling at Ephesus, and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified, 18many also of those who did believe were coming, confessing and declaring their acts, 19and many of those who had practised the curious arts, having brought the books together, were burning them before all; and they reckoned together the prices of them, and found it five myriads of silverlings; 20so powerfully was the word of God increasing and prevailing.

The Riot in Ephesus

21And when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in the Spirit, having gone through Macedonia and Achaia, to go on to Jerusalem, saying -- 'After my being there, it behoveth me also to see Rome;' 22and having sent to Macedonia two of those ministering to him -- Timotheus and Erastus -- he himself stayed a time in Asia.

23And there came, at that time, not a little stir about the way, 24for a certain one, Demetrius by name, a worker in silver, making silver sanctuaries of Artemis, was bringing to the artificers gain not a little, 25whom, having brought in a crowd together, and those who did work about such things, he said, 'Men, ye know that by this work we have our wealth; 26and ye see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but almost in all Asia, this Paul, having persuaded, did turn away a great multitude, saying, that they are not gods who are made by hands; 27and not only is this department in danger for us of coming into disregard, but also, that of the great goddess Artemis the temple is to be reckoned for nothing, and also her greatness is about to be brought down, whom all Asia and the world doth worship.'

28And they having heard, and having become full of wrath, were crying out, saying, 'Great is the Artemis of the Ephesians!' 29and the whole city was filled with confusion, they rushed also with one accord into the theatre, having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's fellow-travellers. 30And on Paul's purposing to enter in unto the populace, the disciples were not suffering him, 31and certain also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, having sent unto him, were entreating him not to venture himself into the theatre. 32Some indeed, therefore, were calling out one thing, and some another, for the assembly was confused, and the greater part did not know for what they were come together; 33and out of the multitude they put forward Alexander -- the Jews thrusting him forward -- and Alexander having beckoned with the hand, wished to make defence to the populace, 34and having known that he is a Jew, one voice came out of all, for about two hours, crying, 'Great is the Artemis of the Ephesians!' 35And the public clerk having quieted the multitude, saith, 'Men, Ephesians, why, who is the man that doth not know that the city of the Ephesians is a devotee of the great goddess Artemis, and of that which fell down from Zeus? 36these things, then, not being to be gainsaid, it is necessary for you to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37'For ye brought these men, who are neither temple-robbers nor speaking evil of your goddess; 38if indeed, therefore, Demetrius and the artificers with him with any one have a matter, court days are held, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. 39'And if ye seek after anything concerning other matters, in the legal assembly it shall be determined; 40for we are also in peril of being accused of insurrection in regard to this day, there being no occasion by which we shall be able to give an account of this concourse;' 41and these things having said, he dismissed the assembly.

Paul in Ephesus

¹ While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples ² and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

³ So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”

“John’s baptism,” they replied.

⁴ Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. ⁷ There were about twelve men in all.

Paul’s Ministry in the Synagogue and in Tyrannus Hall

⁸ Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. ⁹ But some of them became stubborn; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

Miracles of Healing

¹¹ God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, ¹² so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured, and the evil spirits left them.

The Sons of Sceva

¹³ Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. ¹⁵ One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

¹⁷ When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. ¹⁸ Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. ¹⁹ A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. ²⁰ In this way, the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

The Riot in Ephesus

²¹ After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” ²² He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.

²³ About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. ²⁴ A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. ²⁵ He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. ²⁶ And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. ²⁷ There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”

²⁸ When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. ³⁰ Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. ³¹ Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

³² The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. ³³ The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. ³⁴ But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

³⁵ The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? ³⁶ Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. ³⁷ You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. ³⁸ If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. ³⁹ If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. ⁴⁰ As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case, we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” ⁴¹ After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

Footnotes:

19:2: The “Holy Spirit” was unfamiliar to some disciples, indicating they had only experienced John’s baptism, which was one of repentance but lacked the full understanding of the coming of the Spirit through Jesus.

19:9: The “Way” was an early term used for the Christian faith, referring to the lifestyle and belief system based on following Jesus as the way to salvation and truth.

19:12: The miraculous healings involving Paul’s clothing items show God’s extraordinary power at work, similar to how people sought to touch Jesus’ garments for healing.

19:15: The evil spirit recognizes Jesus and Paul, showing that spiritual forces are aware of those with true authority and power in Christ.

19:24: Demetrius, a silversmith, led the opposition against Paul because Paul’s teaching endangered their livelihood, which was based on making silver idols of Artemis, a goddess highly revered in Ephesus.

19:27: The threat to Artemis’ temple reveals the deep intertwining of religion and commerce in Ephesus, where the city’s identity and economy were tied to its religious practices.

19:35: The city clerk’s reference to Artemis’ image “which fell from heaven” likely refers to a meteorite or sacred stone that was believed to represent the goddess, adding to her significance in Ephesian worship.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Acts 19?

1.1Introduction to Acts 19

1.2Context of Acts 19

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Acts 19 Unique Insights

1.6Acts 19 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Acts 19 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Acts 19 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Acts 19?

Introduction to Acts 19

Acts 19 stands as a pivotal chapter in the book of Acts, marking a significant phase in Paul’s third missionary journey and the explosive growth of the early Messianic faith in Ephesus. This chapter showcases the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, the clash between spiritual kingdoms, and the economic implications of the gospel message. The events recorded here demonstrate how the message of Yeshua (Jesus) penetrated one of the most significant cultural and religious centers of the ancient world.

The narrative unfolds in Ephesus, a major commercial hub and home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Through extraordinary miracles, confrontations with spiritual powers, and public demonstrations of the gospel’s impact, this chapter reveals how the Kingdom of God advances in the face of both spiritual and secular opposition.

Context of Acts 19

Within the immediate context of Acts, chapter 19 follows Paul’s brief visit to Ephesus in Acts 18:19-21, where he promised to return “if God wills.” This chapter fulfills that promise and describes his extended ministry there, which lasted approximately three years. It serves as a bridge between his second and third missionary journeys, showing the progression of the gospel from primarily Jewish audiences to a predominantly Gentile context.

In the broader biblical narrative, Acts 19 illustrates several key themes that run throughout Scripture. It demonstrates the fulfillment of Joel 2:28-29 regarding the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, echoes the power encounters of Elijah on Mount Carmel, and foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God’s Kingdom over spiritual and earthly powers as described in Revelation. The chapter also shows the practical outworking of Matthew 28:18-20, as the disciples make disciples who transform their culture.

The events in Ephesus represent a strategic advancement of the gospel, as this city served as a gateway for the spread of Christianity throughout Asia Minor. The spiritual warfare depicted here provides a template for understanding how the gospel confronts and overcomes entrenched spiritual strongholds.

Ancient Key Word Study

Disciples (μαθητάς, mathētas) – The term used in verse 1 specifically refers to followers or learners. These were disciples of John the Baptist who had an incomplete understanding of the Messiah’s work. The word emphasizes the continuous nature of learning and following, suggesting that discipleship is an ongoing process of growth and transformation.
Holy Spirit (Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, Pneuma to Hagion) – Mentioned in verse 2, this phrase carries special significance as it highlights the personal nature of the Spirit. The definite article (τὸ) emphasizes the Spirit’s distinct personality and divine nature. This differs from mere “a holy spirit” and points to the Third Person of the Trinity.
Kingdom of God (βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ, basileian tou Theou) – Used in verse 8, this term represents not just a territory but God’s active reign and rule. In the context of Paul’s teaching, it signifies the present reality of God’s authority and the future hope of His complete dominion.
Special/Extraordinary (τυχούσας, tychousas) – The word used in verse 11 to describe the miracles literally means “not the ordinary kind.” It suggests these were unique manifestations of divine power, specifically given for this strategic moment in salvation history.
Handled/Touched (ἐπιφέρεσθαι, epipheresthai) – In verse 12, this word describes how items that had contact with Paul were brought to the sick. The term implies more than casual contact; it suggests a deliberate application or transference, highlighting the extraordinary nature of God’s power working through His servant.
Evil Spirits (πνεύματα τὰ πονηρά, pneumata ta ponēra) – This phrase in verse 13 specifically denotes spirits characterized by active malevolence. The definite article suggests these were known entities in the spiritual realm, not merely abstract forces.
Prevailed (ἴσχυσεν, ischysen) – Used in verse 20 to describe how the Word of God grew and prevailed, this term implies victory through superior strength. It’s a military metaphor suggesting conquest and dominion.
Way (ὁδοῦ, hodou) – Referenced in verse 23, this term became an early designation for the Christian faith. It implies not just a set of beliefs but a complete way of life, emphasizing the practical and comprehensive nature of following Yeshua.
Trade (ἐργασίαν, ergasian) – Appearing in verse 24, this word relates to business or profit. It reveals how the gospel’s impact extended beyond spiritual matters to affect economic systems and social structures.
Temple Keeper (νεωκόρον, neōkoron) – Used in verse 35, this term literally means “temple sweeper” but became a prestigious title for cities that housed important shrines. It shows the deep connection between civic pride and pagan worship in ancient Ephesus.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 2: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Paul’s choice of words here is significant. He uses the aorist tense for both “receive” (ἐλάβετε) and “believed” (πιστεύσαντες), suggesting specific moments rather than ongoing processes. This grammatical construction emphasizes the expected normative connection between believing and receiving the Spirit, highlighting a theological truth that would become crucial for understanding Christian initiation.
Verse 6: The phrase “speaking in tongues and prophesying” uses two present participles (λαλοῦντες and προφητεύοντες), indicating continuous action. This construction was chosen over simple past tense verbs to emphasize the ongoing nature of these spiritual manifestations, not just a one-time occurrence.
Verse 9: The description “speaking evil of the Way” employs the term κακολογοῦντες rather than the more common βλασφημοῦντες (blaspheming). This choice emphasizes the public nature of the opposition rather than specifically religious blasphemy, showing how the conflict had social as well as theological dimensions.
Verse 13: The Jewish exorcists’ attempt to use “the name of the Lord Jesus” includes the definite article (τοῦ Ἰησοῦ), emphasizing their perception of Jesus as a magical formula rather than a personal relationship with the living Lord. This contrasts with how believers used His name elsewhere in Acts.
Verse 15: The evil spirit’s response “Jesus I know, and Paul I know” uses two different Greek words for “know” (γινώσκω and ἐπίσταμαι), suggesting different levels or types of recognition. This wordplay emphasizes the spiritual authority that comes only through genuine relationship with Christ.
Verse 19: The value of the books being burned is specified in “fifty thousand pieces of silver” (ἀργυρίου μυριάδας πέντε), using a precise monetary term rather than a general description. This specificity emphasizes the substantial economic cost of following Christ and adds historical credibility to the account.
Verse 27: Demetrius’s speech uses the term κινδυνεύει (“in danger”) twice, emphasizing both economic and religious threats. This repetition was chosen to show how pagan opposition mixed financial and spiritual concerns.

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Acts 19 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several remarkable supernatural elements that deserve special attention. The incident with the seven sons of Sceva represents one of the most dramatic spiritual confrontations in the New Testament. According to the Talmud (Kiddushin 82a), exorcism was a recognized practice among certain Jewish families, and the title “Chief Priest” (ἀρχιερέως) might indicate that Sceva claimed connection to one of the high-priestly families. This background adds depth to understanding why these exorcists thought they could appropriate the power of Jesus’s name without personal faith.

The burning of the magical books and scrolls (verse 19) has particular significance in the context of ancient Ephesus. The “Ephesian Letters” (Ἐφέσια γράμματα) were famous throughout the ancient world as powerful magical formulas. According to Plutarch and other ancient sources, these were believed to grant protection and power to those who possessed them. The public burning of these valuable items demonstrates both the radical nature of the converts’ commitment and the superior power of the gospel over magical practices.

Early church father Chrysostom, in his Homilies on Acts, draws attention to the unusual nature of the miracles through Paul’s handkerchiefs and aprons (σουδάρια ἢ σιμικίνθια). He sees this as God’s accommodation to the magical mindset of the Ephesians, using physical objects to demonstrate His superior power while gradually leading them to a more mature faith. This interpretation helps explain why such miracles are not normative in other contexts.

The riot in the theater provides fascinating historical details about ancient civic life. The theater mentioned still stands in Ephesus today and could hold 25,000 people. Archaeological discoveries have confirmed many details in this account, including the importance of the title “temple keeper” (νεωκόρος) and the role of the town clerk (γραμματεύς) in maintaining public order.

Acts 19 Connections to Yeshua

The events in this chapter powerfully demonstrate the continued ministry of the risen Messiah through His Body, the Church. The extraordinary miracles performed through Paul mirror those of Yeshua during His earthly ministry, fulfilling His promise in John 14:12 that His followers would do even greater works. The authority demonstrated over evil spirits particularly echoes Jesus’s ministry and shows His ongoing victory over the powers of darkness.

The confrontation with the cult of Artemis represents a significant fulfillment of Isaiah 2:18 and other prophecies about the fall of idols before the true God. This episode prefigures the ultimate triumph of the Messiah described in Revelation 19, when all false religious systems will fall before His glory. The economic disruption caused by the gospel’s spread also points to how the Kingdom of God, like the stone in Daniel’s vision, will ultimately overcome all earthly kingdoms.

Acts 19 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical themes and narratives. The confrontation with magical practices recalls Moses’s contest with Pharaoh’s magicians (Exodus 7:11-12) and Daniel’s superiority over Babylon’s wise men (Daniel 2:27-28). The burning of magical books echoes the response of true converts in Acts 8:9-13.

The riot scene parallels other moments when God’s people faced angry mobs, such as Daniel in the lions’ den and the three Hebrew young men before Nebuchadnezzar. The economic impact of the gospel recalls Exodus 5, where Pharaoh resisted Moses partly because of economic concerns.

Paul’s daily discussions in the Hall of Tyrannus reflect the wisdom tradition of Proverbs 1:20-21, where wisdom cries out in public places. The chapter’s emphasis on the power of God’s Word fulfills prophecies like Isaiah 55:11 about the effectiveness of God’s Word.

Acts 19 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own spiritual lives and commitment to the gospel. The Ephesian disciples’ experience with the Holy Spirit prompts us to ask whether we are living in the fullness of God’s Spirit. Are there areas of our lives where we, like these early disciples, might have an incomplete understanding that needs to be enlightened by deeper truth?

The public burning of valuable magical books challenges us about our own attachments. What “valuable” things in our lives might be hindering our full devotion to Christ? The courage of these new believers to destroy items worth a fortune challenges our own willingness to count all things loss for the excellence of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8).

The account of the seven sons of Sceva warns against treating spiritual matters casually or attempting to use God’s power without genuine relationship. It calls us to examine whether we’re trying to access God’s power through formulas rather than through intimate fellowship with Him.

Did You Know

The Hall of Tyrannus where Paul taught was likely available during the hours of 11 AM to 4 PM when most Ephesians took their rest from the heat. Ancient sources suggest this was a common practice, and Paul probably worked at his trade during the cooler morning hours before teaching during the hottest part of the day.
Archaeological discoveries have confirmed that Ephesus had a significant Jewish population during this period, with at least one synagogue. Inscriptions mention Jews who were Roman citizens and held prominent positions in the city.
The term “pieces of silver” (ἀργυρίου) used to value the burned books likely refers to drachmas. The total value would have been equivalent to about 137 years of wages for an average worker in that time.
The phrase “the way” (ἡ ὁδός) used to describe Christianity was possibly chosen because it echoed both Jewish concepts of “halakha” (walking in God’s ways) and Greek philosophical traditions of following a path of wisdom.
The title “temple keeper” (νεωκόρος) became so important that it appeared on Ephesian coins and inscriptions. The city competed with others for the honor of being “temple keeper” for multiple imperial cults.
The theater mentioned in the riot scene has been excavated and could hold approximately 25,000 people. Archaeologists have found an inscription there detailing rules about silver statues of Artemis, confirming Luke’s account of the silversmiths’ trade.
The name “Sceva” is not found in any lists of Jewish high priests, suggesting he may have been falsely claiming this title to enhance his reputation as an exorcist.
The practice of using handkerchiefs and aprons for healing had parallels in Greek magical practices, but Luke’s account emphasizes these as vehicles for God’s power rather than magical items themselves.
The Artemis worship in Ephesus was distinct from Greek Artemis worship elsewhere. The Ephesian Artemis was an ancient fertility goddess whose image was believed to have fallen from heaven.
The riot described in Acts 19 occurred in the largest theater in the ancient world at that time, which can still be visited today in modern Turkey.

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Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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