About
that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen, whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth. 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. 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.”
Acts 19:23-27
Acts 19 [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.”
Acts 19 [22.] Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. About that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen, whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth. 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. 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.”
Acts 19 [28.] When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 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. When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn’t allow him. Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. 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. 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. 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!”
Meaning:
Paul’s long ministry in Ephesus had changed many lives, and the burning of magic books had shown how deep the change went (Acts 19:19). Now the Good News touched the city’s economy and its proudest religious institution. These verses describe how a business leader stirred up opposition, and they reveal the real motive behind it.
- “There arose no small stir concerning the Way”
Luke again calls the faith “the Way” (Acts 19:9). His phrase “no small stir” is an understatement: the stir became a city-wide riot (Acts 19:28-30). Paul himself may refer to these dangers when he speaks of fighting “with animals at Ephesus” (1 Corinthians 15:32) and of the affliction in Asia when “we despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8).
- “Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis”
The temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, a huge marble building that drew pilgrims from far and wide. It also served as a bank and a centre of trade. Artemis of Ephesus was a mother and fertility goddess, different in character from the Greek huntress of the same name. Craftsmen made small silver models of the shrine or the goddess for pilgrims to take home or offer at the temple, a profitable trade.
- “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth”
Demetrius began with money, not religion. Like the masters of the slave girl at Philippi, who acted “when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone” (Acts 16:19), the craftsmen opposed the Good News because it threatened their income. Jesus warned, “Keep yourselves from covetousness” (Luke 12:15), and “You can’t serve both God and Mammon” (Matthew 6:24).
- “Saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands”
Demetrius summarized Paul’s message accurately. Paul had told the Athenians that “we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man” (Acts 17:29). This was the faith of Israel: “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands” (Psalm 115:4). So many people had “turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9) that the trade was suffering throughout the province.
- “The temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing”
Only after the economic argument did Demetrius appeal to religious pride and civic honour. Ephesus was proud to be the guardian of the temple (Acts 19:35). Mixing money, religion and local loyalty, he created a powerful force against the Way. Yet Paul and his companions had not attacked the temple or insulted the goddess, as the town clerk later admitted (Acts 19:37). They had simply proclaimed the living God.
The Significance of Acts 19:23-27
- Idols old and new
Few people today buy silver shrines, but money, success and status can still become idols. Jesus calls his followers to examine what they truly serve.
- When faith touches the purse
Following Jesus can have economic consequences. Some will lose income by refusing dishonest or harmful work; others will meet opposition when the Good News affects business. Faithfulness to God matters more than profit.
- Peaceful proclamation
Paul’s team won people by teaching, not by attacking temples. The Good News changes societies from the inside, as hearts turn to God.
Cross-References:
Psalm 115:4: "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands." The emptiness of idols.
Acts 17:29: "we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone," Paul’s teaching at Athens.
1 Thessalonians 1:9: "how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God," What the Good News produced.
Matthew 6:24: "You can’t serve both God and Mammon." The conflict behind Demetrius’ speech.
Conclusion: Demetrius the silversmith stirred up his fellow craftsmen because Paul’s message, that gods made with hands are no gods, was hurting their trade and the honour of the temple of Artemis. His speech shows how money, religion and civic pride can unite against the truth. The passage warns against every idol, including wealth, and shows the quiet power of the Good News to turn people to the living God.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible