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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 19:35

And when the town clerk had appeased the people ,.... Caused them to cease their loud outcry, so as that he could be heard. This person seems to have been more than a "town clerk", as we render it; or a common "scribe", as the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions render it; rather as the Syriac version, "a chief man of the city"; the Septuagint interpreters in Exodus 5:6 use the word for the Egyptian officers that were over the Israelites; and the Babylonians used to call the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 19:36

Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against ,.... This officer intimates, in order to quiet the mob, and make them easy, that these things were so certain, and well known, that nobody would pretend to contradict them, and therefore they must be mistaken in the men, whom they had hurried into the theatre; it was impossible that they, or any men, should be capable of saying any thing against the truth of these things: therefore ye ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly ; to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 19:37

For ye have brought hither these men ,.... The Arabic version reads, "these two men"; that is, Gaius and Aristarchus, whom they had brought by force into the theatre to fight with wild beasts: which are neither robbers of churches ; or "temples"; or, as the Arabic version renders it, "robbers of the vessels of the temple", sacrilegious persons; they have not stolen anything out of the temple of Diana, nor any other: nor yet blasphemers of your goddess ; they have not made mention of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 19:38

Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him ,.... Who were the ringleaders and encouragers of this tumult: have a matter against any man ; any accusation, or charge, any crime to accuse him of, and charge him with: the law is open ; or court days are kept; there are certain times fixed for the hearing and trying of causes, where and when such an affair should be regularly brought; and not use such disorderly methods, and throw a city into confusion, and break the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 19:39

But if ye inquire anything concerning other matters ,.... Than what belongs to the craft and business of Demetrius, and the artificers: it shall be determined in a lawful assembly ; that is, called together according to law, and who have a right to hear, try, and judge causes, which such a confused lawless assembly as this in the theatre had not. 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 19:35

When the town-clerk - Ὁγραμματευς , Literally, the scribe. The Syriac has reisha damedinato , the chief or prince of the city. The later Syriac has, the scribe of the city. Some think that the word recorder would do better here than town-clerk; and indeed it is evident that a magistrate of considerable authority and influence is intended - the mayor or sovereign of the city. Ye men of Ephesus - The speech of this man may be thus analyzed: He states that there was no need of a... read more

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