But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.In a lawful assembly — In such a regular assembly as has authority to judge of religious and political affairs. read more
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.This concourse — He wisely calls it by an inoffensive name. read more
PART THIRD. CHRISTIANITY AMONG THE GENTILES. From Chapter Acts 13:1, to End of Acts. Through the remainder of his work Luke’s subject is the evangelization of the Gentiles, and his hero is Paul. His field is western Asia and Europe; his terminal point is Rome, and the work is the laying the foundation of modern Christendom. At every point, even at Rome, Luke is careful to note the Gospel offer to the Jews, and how the main share reject, and a remnant only is saved. And thus it appears that... read more
The Commotion at Ephesus on behalf of the great Goddess (Diana) Artemis , Acts 19:24-41 . The great Ephesian goddess Artemis (improperly here transformed into the Latin goddess Diana) was, as the picture of her image here exhibited illustrates, the personification of earth or NATURE in her generative, productive, and nourishing energies and manifestations. Like earth, she bore a mural coronal, a crown of walls; and, as the nourishing all-mother, she exhibited a countless number of nippled... read more
27. Our craft Literally, our part; that is, our branch or share in the common interests concerned. Temple With a fine show of religious public spirit Demetrius assumes, in words, that our share of interests is altogether subordinate to the great point of the honour and universal worship of the great Artemis. Our impoverishment is rather an evil; but it is horrible to think of our dishonoured religion! This temple of Artemis (Diana) was indeed reckoned one of the seven wonders of the... read more
28. Great There were in mythology the twelve Dii Majores, Greater Gods, and Artemis was not generally reckoned one of them. Nevertheless Great was the special title applied by her worshippers throughout “the world.” Here, as in many other cases, vociferation supplies the place of argument. Loud and well repeated utterance is sometimes the only effective support of a false cause. They heard… full of wrath The oratory of Demetrius takes full effect. Having a common interest, these pagan... read more
29. Gaius Same name as the Latin Caius. This Gaius, mentioned only here, being a Macedonian, must not be identified with Gaius of Derbe, (Acts 20:4,) and probably not with Gaius of Corinth, (Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:14.) Aristarchus Name signifying most excellent ruler. He was a native of Thessalonica, and is here first mentioned as endangered for Paul. He seems to have left Ephesus with Paul for Greece; to have returned with him from Greece to Palestine (Acts 20:4) as one of the ... read more
30. Paul… entered They had not searched very judiciously for their victim, as it is clear that he was within the excited city. Paul probably believed that on being admitted into the theatre he could so address the assembly as to calm its fury. Such is the spontaneous confidence of great personality endowed with a natural mastery over men. What would have been his success is very doubtful, for the fears of friends, both private and official, prevented the experiment. read more
31. Chief of Asia Asiarchs. So the rulers of different provinces were called Syriarchs, Cypriarchs, etc. These were wealthy and honourable citizens who were elected to preside over the sacred rites and to institute public games, which, however, they were to do at their own expense. The president or the college of Asiarchs was styled High Priest, precisely the same title in the Greek as belonged to the supreme Jewish pontiff. The citizen who had once been Asiarch, permanently retained... read more
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Acts 19:38
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.There are proconsuls — One in every province. There was one at Ephesus. read more