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? Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 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. But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly. For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.” When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
Acts 19:35-41
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!”
Acts 19 [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? Seeing then that these things can’t be denied, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 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. But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly. For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.” When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
Acts 20 [1.] After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. When he had gone through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece. When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas. We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.
Meaning:
The crowd in the great theater of Ephesus had been shouting “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” for about two hours (Acts 19:33-34). Paul’s companions Gaius and Aristarchus had been seized (Acts 19:28-30). Then a city official stepped forward and, with calm reasoning, ended the riot. God used a pagan civil servant to protect his people.
- “When the town clerk had quieted the multitude”
The town clerk was the chief civic official of Ephesus and the link between the city and the Roman authorities. Where shouting had failed, his authority and his measured words calmed the crowd. “A gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1).
- “The city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis”
“Temple keeper” was a proud title for a city that guarded a famous temple. The clerk also mentioned “the image which fell down from Zeus,” probably a sacred stone or statue believed to have fallen from the sky. His point was that the honour of Artemis was secure, so there was no need for panic.
- “Neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess”
This is an important testimony. Paul and his companions had taught that gods made with hands are no gods (Acts 19:26), yet they had not robbed temples or insulted the goddess. Paul himself condemned temple robbery (Romans 2:22). The believers’ conduct gave their enemies no grounds for accusation, as Peter later urged: “by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:15).
- “The courts are open, and there are proconsuls”
The clerk pointed to lawful channels: courts, proconsuls and “the regular assembly.” Disputes belong to law, not mobs.
- “We are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot”
Rome punished disorder, and an unexplained riot could cost Ephesus its privileges. Fear of Rome, not love for Paul, moved the clerk. Yet, as with Gallio in Corinth (Acts 18:14-16), God used the order of the empire to shield his servants. The assembly was dismissed, and soon after Paul left for Macedonia (Acts 20:1).
The Significance of Acts 19:35-41
- God protects through ordinary means
No miracle ended the riot, only a sensible official. God often guards his people through good laws and ordinary common sense.
- Blameless conduct
The believers’ behaviour left no ground for any charge. Christians are called to proclaim the truth plainly while respecting others and avoiding needless offence. “If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18).
- Praying for those in authority
Paul urged prayer “for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:2). The town clerk shows why such prayer matters.
Cross-References:
Proverbs 15:1: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Calm words end the riot.
1 Peter 2:15: "by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:" Good conduct silences accusers.
1 Timothy 2:2: "that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence." Prayer for rulers.
Romans 13:1: "there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God." God works through authorities.
Conclusion: The town clerk of Ephesus calmed the rioting crowd by reminding them that Artemis’ honour was secure, that Paul’s companions had committed no crime, and that disputes belonged in the courts. His words, moved by fear of Rome, became God’s means of protecting the believers. The passage shows God’s care through ordinary authorities and the value of blameless conduct.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible