Acts 19:23-Acts 20:3 - A Riot In Ephesus
23 And at that time there was no small commotion concerning the way. 24 For a certain Demetrius by name, a silversmith, making silver shrines of Diana, was bringing no small gain to the mechanics, 25 whom having assembled and the laborers about such things, he said, Men, you know that it is from this work that prosperity is to us: 26 and you see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, that this Paul having persuaded them has turned away a great multitude, saying that there are no gods made with hands. 27 And not only is this interest in danger to us to come into disrepute; but even the temple of the great goddess Diana to be considered for nought, and they are about even to despise the majesty of her, whom all Asia and the world worships.
28 And hearing and being filled with rage, they continued to cry out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And the city was filled with commotion: and they rushed of one accord into the theatre, seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians, the companions of Paul. 30 And Paul wishing to go in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not; 31 and certain ones of the Asiatic rulers, also being friends to him, having sent to him, continued to entreat him not to give himself up into the theatre. 32 Then indeed they continued to cry out some one thing, and some another: for the church was confused; and the most of them did not know on account of what they had come together. 33 And some from the crowd forced in Alexander, the Jews precipitating him forward; and Alexander, beckoning with his hand, wished to apologize to the people. 34 But recognizing that he is a Jew, there was one voice from all crying out about two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
35 And the city clerk having dismissed the multitudes, said, Ephesian men, for what one of men is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great goddess Diana, and of the statue having fallen down from Jupiter? 36 Therefore these things being unquestionable, it is necessary that you become calm, and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have led in these men, who are neither robbers of temples, nor are they blaspheming your goddess. 38 If indeed therefore Demetrius, and the mechanics along with him, have a charge against any one, the courts are in session, and there are lawyers: let them implead one another. 39 But if you are seeking something concerning other things, it shall be settled in the lawful church. 40 For indeed we are in danger of prosecution for the disturbance this day, there being no cause concerning which we shall be able to give a reason for this uproar. 41 And having said these things, he dismissed the church.
1 After the uproar ceased, Paul, having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, bidding them adieu, departed to go into Macedonia. 2 And having come through those regions, and exhorted them with much speaking, he came into Greece; 3 and having remained three months, a plot rising against him from the Jews, when about to sail for Syria, he was of a mind to return through Macedonia.