Acts 19

1¶ - Some of the men in Ephesus who were called disciples had been students of those who had been taught by John the Baptist. That means they were already seeking the kingdom of God by ministering to the people through the practice of Pure Religion, providing all the social welfare of their society through faith, hope and charity. This would put them in conflict with the purposes of the Temple of Diana which included the financing of social relief both on an individual and collective bases.
8¶ There were "certain" men who opposed The Way of Pure Religion that Paul was teaching.
13¶ The power of the Holy Spirit was a real power that was granted to those who would receive the whole Gospel of the Kingdom.
21¶ A "vagabond Jews" was a minister of Judaism that did not believe in nor belong to a network of religious Orders. He used the name of Jesus but in vain.^[1] He was not sitting down in the pattern of tens as Christ and Moses commanded.
Silversmith: Zoeckler suggests that Luke misunderstood this word [neopoios] and translated it argurokopos a "beater of silver". There is an inscription at Ephesus from the first century of a Demetrius called the "neopoios Artemidos", a temple "warden of Artemis" which is the Temple of Diana at Ephesus.
The name Demetrios means “the slave of Artemis” and maybe more a title rather than an actual given name at birth. The Greek word for a "name" in the text would also include a "for one’s rank, authority".^[2] Caesar Augustus's name at birth was Octavius and Caesar and Augustus are actually titles and offices bestowed upon him.
Neopoioi were men entrusted with the finances of the temple and sometimes building projects. The word shrine here is "naos" normally translated "temple".^[3] Understanding the official duties in these Temples alters our understanding of the word we see translated "craftsmen".^[4] The "Architekton" might be a part of the board of the Neopoios who were overseers of the business of the temple.
The Neopoioi like the chrysophoroi (gold-bearers) were all demiourgos lit., "one who works for the people" to maintain the Temples for the benefit of the people. The chrysophoroi also appear in connection with the gerousia who were a council of old men of good report (see Kosmos) and members of the general Boule (ancient Greece), a citizens' council appointed to run daily welfare and affairs of a city. They "... decreed the expansion of the festival and the building projects... resolutions and policies, indeed the authority of the local government, all were grounded and reinforced ritually in their performances each spring at the mysteries of the patroness goddess of the polis... who individually and collectively helped to ensure the welfare of the polis."^[5]

Questions

1 ¶ And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He 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. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then 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. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve.

8 ¶ And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But 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. 10 And 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. 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So 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.

13 ¶ Then 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. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And 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. 17 And 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. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19 Many 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. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

21 ¶ After 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. 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. 23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26 Moreover 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^[6], which are made with hands: 27 So 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. 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And 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. 30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33 And 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. 34 But 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. 35 And 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^[7] of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers^[8] of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. 38 Wherefore 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. 39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. 40 For 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. 41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

↑ Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
↑ 3686 ~ὄνομα~ onoma \@on’-om-ah\@ from a presumed derivative of the base of 1097 ginosko to know, learn (cf 3685); TDNT-5:242,694; {See TDNT 554} n n AV-name 193, named 28, called 4, surname + 2007 2, named + 2564 1, not tr 1; 229
1) name: univ. of proper names

2) the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one’s rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.

3) persons reckoned up by name

4) the cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason
↑ 3485 ~ναός~ naos \@nah-os’\@ from a primary naio (to dwell); TDNT-4:880,625; {See TDNT 514} n m AV-temple 45, a shrine 1; 46
1) used of the temple at Jerusalem, but only of the sacred edifice (or sanctuary) itself, consisting of the Holy place and the Holy of Holies (in classical Greek it is used of the sanctuary or cell of the temple, where the image of gold was placed which is distinguished from the whole enclosure)

2) any heathen temple or shrine

3) metaph. the spiritual temple consisting of the saints of all ages joined together by and in Christ
↑ 5079 ~τεχνίτης~ technites \@tekh-nee’-tace\@ from 5078; n m AV-craftsman 3, builder 1; 4
1) an artificer, craftsman, builders
↑ "Although the men who decreed the expansion of the festival and the building projects along the Embolos qualified for membership in the Boule according to a minimum wealth requirement, their resolutions and policies, indeed the authority of the local government, all were grounded and reinforced ritually in their performances each spring at the mysteries of the patroness goddess of the polis. New initiates, moving in procession past the magnificent complex of new buildings at the juncture of the Embolos and the Plateia on their way up to Ortygia, reasonably might have concluded that the Kouretes, who took part in the festival each year and then voted on the laws of the polis, understood very well how to secure Artemis’s blessings, as well as those of the rest of the gods and goddesses who individually and collectively helped to ensure the welfare of the polis." The Mysteries of Artemis of the Graeco-Roman World, GUY MACLEAN ROGERS
↑ Ye are gods
John 10:34 "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"

Acts 19:26 "Moreover 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:"

Galatians 4:1 ¶ "Now I say, [That] the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;...4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 8 ¶ Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?"
↑ Worship or not
2 Kings 10:19 Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice [to do] to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did [it] in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers<05647 serve > of Baal. 20 And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly<06116 > for Baal. And they proclaimed [it].21 And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers<05647 serve > of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another. 22 And he said unto him that [was] over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers<05647 serve > of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments. 23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers<05647 serve > of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers<05647 serve > of Baal only.

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true(228 alethinos) worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship(4353 proskunetes) him.

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Acts 19:35 And when the townclerk(1122 grammateus) 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<3511 serves temple> of the great goddess Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter?

Hebrews 10:1 ¶ For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year.
↑ Robbers and thieves
Isaiah 42:24 "Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law."

Ezekiel 7:22 "My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret [place]: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it."

Ezekiel 18:10 "If he beget a son [that is] a robber, a shedder of blood, and [that] doeth the like to [any] one of these [things],"

Daniel 11:14 "And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall."

Jeremiah 7:11 "Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD."

Hosea 6:9 "And as troops of robbers wait for a man, [so] the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness."

Hosea 7:1 "When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, [and] the troop of robbers spoileth without."

Matthew 6:19 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"

Matthew 21:13 "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."

Mark 11:17 "And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves."

Luke 19:46 "Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves."

John 10:8 "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them."

Acts 19:37 "For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess." See Ephesus.

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:9

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:1

[1] Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

[2] 3686 ~ὄνομα~ onoma \@on’-om-ah\@ from a presumed derivative of the base of 1097 ginosko to know, learn (cf 3685); TDNT-5:242,694; {See TDNT 554} n n AV-name 193, named 28, called 4, surname + 2007 2, named + 2564 1, not tr 1; 229
1) name: univ. of proper names

2) the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one’s rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc.

3) persons reckoned up by name

4) the cause or reason named: on this account, because he suffers as a Christian, for this reason

[3] 3485 ~ναός~ naos \@nah-os’\@ from a primary naio (to dwell); TDNT-4:880,625; {See TDNT 514} n m AV-temple 45, a shrine 1; 46
1) used of the temple at Jerusalem, but only of the sacred edifice (or sanctuary) itself, consisting of the Holy place and the Holy of Holies (in classical Greek it is used of the sanctuary or cell of the temple, where the image of gold was placed which is distinguished from the whole enclosure)

2) any heathen temple or shrine

3) metaph. the spiritual temple consisting of the saints of all ages joined together by and in Christ

[4] 5079 ~τεχνίτης~ technites \@tekh-nee’-tace\@ from 5078; n m AV-craftsman 3, builder 1; 4
1) an artificer, craftsman, builders

[5] "Although the men who decreed the expansion of the festival and the building projects along the Embolos qualified for membership in the Boule according to a minimum wealth requirement, their resolutions and policies, indeed the authority of the local government, all were grounded and reinforced ritually in their performances each spring at the mysteries of the patroness goddess of the polis. New initiates, moving in procession past the magnificent complex of new buildings at the juncture of the Embolos and the Plateia on their way up to Ortygia, reasonably might have concluded that the Kouretes, who took part in the festival each year and then voted on the laws of the polis, understood very well how to secure Artemis’s blessings, as well as those of the rest of the gods and goddesses who individually and collectively helped to ensure the welfare of the polis." The Mysteries of Artemis of the Graeco-Roman World, GUY MACLEAN ROGERS

[yegods-6] Ye are gods
John 10:34 "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"

Acts 19:26 "Moreover 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:"

Galatians 4:1 ¶ "Now I say, [That] the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;...4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 8 ¶ Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?"

[worshipnt-7] Worship or not
2 Kings 10:19 Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice [to do] to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did [it] in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers<05647 serve > of Baal. 20 And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly<06116 > for Baal. And they proclaimed [it].21 And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers<05647 serve > of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another. 22 And he said unto him that [was] over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers<05647 serve > of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments. 23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers<05647 serve > of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers<05647 serve > of Baal only.

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true(228 alethinos) worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship(4353 proskunetes) him.

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Acts 19:35 And when the townclerk(1122 grammateus) 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<3511 serves temple> of the great goddess Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter?

Hebrews 10:1 ¶ For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year.

[Robbers-8] Robbers and thieves
Isaiah 42:24 "Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law."

Ezekiel 7:22 "My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret [place]: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it."

Ezekiel 18:10 "If he beget a son [that is] a robber, a shedder of blood, and [that] doeth the like to [any] one of these [things],"

Daniel 11:14 "And in those times there shall many stand up against the king of the south: also the robbers of thy people shall exalt themselves to establish the vision; but they shall fall."

Jeremiah 7:11 "Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD."

Hosea 6:9 "And as troops of robbers wait for a man, [so] the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness."

Hosea 7:1 "When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, [and] the troop of robbers spoileth without."

Matthew 6:19 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:"

Matthew 21:13 "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."

Mark 11:17 "And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves."

Luke 19:46 "Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves."

John 10:8 "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them."

Acts 19:37 "For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess." See Ephesus.

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:9

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 3:1

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Acts 19

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