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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 19:21-41

I. Paul is here brought into some trouble at Ephesus, just when he is forecasting to go thence, and to cut out work for himself elsewhere. See here, 1. How he laid his purpose of going to other places, Acts 19:21, 22. He was a man of vast designs for God, and was for making his influences as widely diffusive as might be. Having spent above two years at Ephesus, (1.) He designed a visit to the churches of Macedonia and Achaia, especially of Philippi and Corinth, the chief cities of those... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 19:23-41

19:23-41 It happened that at this time there was a great disturbance about The Way. A certain man called Demetrius, who was a silversmith and who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought very considerable profit to the craftsmen. He called them together, with the workers who were engaged in like crafts, and said, "Men, you know that our prosperity depends on this craft; and you see and hear how not only in Ephesus but throughout nearly the whole of Asia this fellow Paul has won over and led... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 19:40

For we are in danger of being called in question ,.... Or are liable to be called to an account, reproved, and punished by the Roman proconsul, appointed over this city, or by the Roman emperor, or the Roman senate: for this day's uproar; it being capable of being interpreted as a riot, tumult, and sedition: there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse : or no reason can be assigned, why such a number of people should gather together; none can be given that will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 19:41

And when he had thus spoken ,.... Or delivered this oration, made use of the above arguments, reasonings, and expostulations: he dismissed the assembly ; he ordered them to break up, and every one to return home in peace, and go about his own business; and thus Paul, and his companions, were delivered from an imminent danger they were exposed to. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 19:40

For we are in danger, etc. - Popular commotions were always dreaded by the Roman government; and so they should by all governments; for, when might has nothing to direct its operations but passion, how destructive must these operations be! One of the Roman laws made all such commotions of the people capital offenses against those who raised them. Qui caetum et concursus fecerit, capite puniatur : "He who raises a mob shall forfeit his life." If such a law existed at Ephesus - and it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 19:41

He dismissed the assembly - Την εκκλησιαν . Another proof that the word εκκλησια , which we generally translate church, signifies an assembly of any kind, good or bad, legal or illegal. How forcible are right words! From the conduct of this prudent, sensible man, we may learn how much influence persons of this character may have, even over the unbridled multitude. But, where the civil power associates itself with the lawless might of the many, There must be confusion and every evil... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:21-41

The greed of gain. Several instructive lessons crop up from this narrative. When two people advancing from opposite directions meet in a narrow pathway, one must give way to the other. When the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ encounters the greed of gain in a human breast, either the Word, with its promises, its hopes, its commands, must stand aside that the love of money may pursue its onward course, or the worldly gain must become as dung in the eyes of the hearer of the Word. We have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:21-41

The supreme conflict. Of all the struggles which have occurred or are now taking place in the human world, there is not one which deserves to be named in comparison with that supreme conflict which is proceeding between Divine truth and human error, between holiness and sin, between Christ and "the world." We are I. ONE STRONG ADVERSARY WHICH HAS TO BE OVERCOME . The world will never be renovated until many strong "interests" have been bravely encountered and utterly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:21-41

The spirit of rebellion against the gospel. The tumult at Ephesus presents a picture of certain aspects of human nature and of the contest between good and evil in the world. I. ITS CAUSES . Most radical of all was the instinct of self-seeking. This is the dark background out of which all manner of fiendish shapes arise to contend against the light. Then it was self-seeking under the guise of religious zeal. Demetrius is the type of all those who make great professions of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 19:23-41

A popular riot. A glimpse into the darkness of the heathen world. Passions pent up let loose. The deep foundation of heathen superstition in the selfish, immoral practices of those who ministered to it. The widespreading effects of true religion in revolutionizing the habits and customs. Society must be reformed by the action of spiritual principles from within, not by merely external changes. Ignorance is the mother of disorder. The conflicts of the world are the result of the antagonism... read more

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