Acts 19:28-34

Scripture: Acts 19:28-34

Today’s Word

When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19:28-34, NIV)

Background

Ephesus was one of the largest cities in the province of Asia, and the temple of Artemis (called Artemis in Greek, Diana in Latin) was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This massive temple sustained many people who made their living by crafting and selling miniature shrines to tourists. As Paul’s gospel preaching led many people to believe in Jesus, they stopped buying idols, which resulted in economic losses for the silversmith Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen. This is the background for today’s riot.

Key Terms Made Simple

• Artemis: The Greek goddess of hunting. The idol worshiped by the Ephesians
• Furious: Extremely angry and agitated
• Incite: To stir up or provoke others into action
• Alexander: A Jew who attempted to address the crowd

Key Expressions to Notice

1. “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
   • This was the chant repeatedly shouted by the crowd. It combined their religious fervor with economic self-interest.
   • The fact that they shouted the same phrase for two hours without rational thought demonstrates the danger of mob mentality.
2. “Most of the people did not even know why they were there”
   • Many people rushed to the theater swept up in the crowd, without understanding the actual reason.
   • This warns us about the danger of following others without knowing the truth.

Main Points of the Text

1. The Opposition Changes: Previously, Jews opposed the gospel. Now Gentiles began opposing it for economic reasons.
2. The Danger of Mob Mentality: Stirred up by Demetrius, people became enraged, and many joined the riot without even knowing why. The theater descended into complete chaos.
3. Real Change Brought by the Gospel: As people believed in Jesus, they abandoned idols, which completely changed their spending patterns and lifestyle. True faith transforms every area of life.

Applying to My Life

1. How We Collide with the Gospel: When we encounter the gospel, we choose one of two responses – bouncing off like billiard balls, or becoming one like bread dough. How am I colliding with the gospel?
2. Daily Collision with the Gospel: Experiencing the gospel once is not the end. If we collide once like billiard balls and separate, we easily return to our old direction. But when we collide with the gospel daily and become one like bread dough, the power of the gospel continues to lead us in its direction. Am I standing before God’s Word daily and colliding with the gospel?
3. Following Truth, Not the Crowd: Even today, many people follow others without knowing the truth. Are you making decisions based on truth, rather than being swept up by social media, trends, or peer pressure?

Think About It

1. Compare yourself when you first heard the gospel to who you are now. What parts of your life have actually changed? What parts still need to change?
2. Have you ever experienced the gospel once like a “billiard ball” and then returned to your old life? What happened then?
3. To continue becoming one with the gospel (like bread dough), what can you specifically practice in your daily life?