15 Bible Verses about Riots

And all in the synagogue when they heard these things were filled with wrath; and they arose and cast him out of the city, and led him even to the brow of the mountain on which the city was built, to precipitate him down. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

And there was at that time no small tumult about the way [of the Lord]. For a certain Demetrius by name, a silversmith, who made silver temples of Diana, and afforded his artisans no small gain, assembling them together and laborers of like employments, said, Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this employment,read more.
and you see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but in almost all Asia, this Paul has led away a great multitude by persuasion, saying that things which are made by hands are not gods. And not only this work of ours is in danger of coming into contempt, but even the temple of the great goddess Diana of being set at nought, and her majesty also which all Asia and the world worships, of being destroyed. And hearing this they were full of wrath, and cried, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians! And the whole city was full of confusion; and they rushed with one accord to the theatre, taking Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow travellers of Paul. And Paul wishing to go in to the people, the disciples did not permit him; and some of the rulers of Asia also, who were friendly to him, sending to him, besought him not to expose himself in the theatre. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another; for the assembly was confused, and the greater part knew not for what reason they had come together. And they advanced Alexander from the multitude, the Jews putting him forward; and Alexander motioning with his hand, wished to defend himself before the people. But knowing that he was a Jew, there was one voice from all, for about two hours, crying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

in stripes, in imprisonments, in dissensions, in labors, in watchings, in fastings,

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the people to ask for Barabbas, and to destroy Jesus. And the procurator answered and said to them, Which of the two do you wish me to release to you? And they said, Barabbas. Pilate said to them, What then shall I do to Jesus, called Christ? They all said, Let him be crucified.read more.
But he said, [No]; for what evil has he done? And they cried more vehemently, saying, Let him be crucified. And Pilate seeing that he accomplished nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this man; see you to it.

And at the feast he released to them a prisoner, whomsoever they chose. And there was a man called Barabbas, bound with the insurgents, who had committed murder in a sedition. And the multitude went up and requested as he had always done to them.read more.
And Pilate answered them, saying, Do you wish me to release to you the king of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him up from envy. But the chief priests moved the people that he should rather release Barabbas to them. And Pilate again answered and said to them, What, then, do you wish me to do to him whom you call the king of the Jews? And they cried again, Crucify him! And Pilate said to them, [Why]? for what evil has he done? But they cried more violently, Crucify him! And Pilate wishing to satisfy the multitude released to them Barabbas; and having scourged Jesus delivered him up to be crucified.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, performed prodigies and great miracles among the people. But some members of the synagogue called that of the Libertines and Cyrenians and Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and disputed with Stephen, and were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit with which he spoke.read more.
Then they bribed men who said, We heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God. And they stirred up both the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and coming suddenly they seized him and led him to the Sanhedrim, and brought forward false witnesses who said, This man speaks incessantly against this holy place, and the law; for we have heard him say, that Jesus this Nazoraean will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses gave us.

But the unbelieving Jews taking certain base men of those about the markets, and exciting a mob, disturbed the city; and coming to the house of Jason sought to bring them out to the people; but not finding them, they dragged Jason and some brothers to the rulers of the city, crying, These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them; and they all do things contrary to the ordinances of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.read more.
And they excited the multitude and the rulers of the city hearing these things, and taking security of Jason and the rest they let them go.

AND when the seven days were nearly completed, the Jews from Asia seeing him in the temple excited all the multitude, and laid hands on him, crying, Men of Israel, help; this is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place, and besides he has brought Greeks into the temple, and defiled this holy place. For they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.read more.
And all the city was moved, and there was a concourse of the people, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him without the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. And while they were seeking to kill him, a report went up to the chiliarch of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in commotion; who immediately taking soldiers and centurions ran down upon them; and seeing the chiliarch and the soldiers, they ceased beating Paul. Then the chiliarch approaching took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done. But some cried one thing, and some another, in the multitude, and not being able to learn the truth, on account of the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the fortress. And when he was on the steps, it happened that he was borne by the soldiers, on account of the violence of the multitude;

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people were assembled in the court of the chief priest, who was called Caiaphas, and they took counsel to seize Jesus by stratagem, and kill him. But they said, Not at the feast, lest there be a tumult among the people.

AND after two days was the passover and the unleavened bread. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might take him by deception, and kill him. But they said, Not at the feast, lest there be a tumult of the people.

And the clerk having stilled the multitude, said, Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great Diana, and of the Jove descended [image]? These things therefore being indisputable, it is best to be quiet, and do nothing rashly. For you have brought these men here, who are neither temple-robbers nor blasphemers of your goddess.read more.
If, therefore, Demetrius and the artisans with him have a charge against any, court days are held, and there are pro-consuls; let them accuse one another. And if you desire any thing of other matters, let it be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger of being called to account for the tumult of to-day, there being no cause by which we can excuse this concourse. And having said these words he dismissed the assembly.

For finding this man a pestilence and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a chief of the sect of the Nazoraeans, who also endeavored to profane the temple, whom we also took, (Added verse not retained in Sawyer)read more.
from whom you will be able to learn by examination of all these things of which we accuse him. And the Jews also assented, saying, These things are so. And the procurator making a sign to him to speak, Paul answered, Knowing that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I shall defend myself cheerfully, you being able to know that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. And they did not find me in the temple disputing with any one, or making a disturbance of the multitude, neither in the synagogues nor in the city;

Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelries and drinking, not in lewdness and excesses, not in strife and envy;

The night is far advanced, and the day is at hand; let us lay aside therefore the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

receiving the wages of wickedness, accounting luxury in the day-time a pleasure, spots and blemishes, revelling in their deceptions while feasting with you,