Discovery BoxActs 19:35-41 
Context19:35 After the city secretary 1 quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what person 2 is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the keeper 3 of the temple of the great Artemis 4 and of her image that fell from heaven? 5 19:36 So because these facts 6 are indisputable, 7 you must keep quiet 8 and not do anything reckless. 9 19:37 For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers 10 nor blasphemers of our goddess. 11 19:38 If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint 12 against someone, the courts are open 13 and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another there. 14 19:39 But if you want anything in addition, 15 it will have to be settled 16 in a legal assembly. 17 19:40 For 18 we are in danger of being charged with rioting 19 today, since there is no cause we can give to explain 20 this disorderly gathering.” 21 19:41 After 22 he had said 23 this, 24 he dismissed the assembly. 25
1 tn Or “clerk.” The “scribe” (γραμματεύς, grammateu") was the keeper of the city’s records.
2 tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo").
3 tn See BDAG 670 s.v. νεωκόρος. The city is described as the “warden” or “guardian” of the goddess and her temple.
4 sn Artemis was a Greek goddess worshiped particularly in Asia Minor, whose temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, was located just outside the city of Ephesus.
5 tn Or “from the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
sn The expression fell from heaven adds a note of apologetic about the heavenly origin of the goddess. The city’s identity and well-being was wrapped up with this connection, in their view. Many interpreters view her image that fell from heaven as a stone meteorite regarded as a sacred object.
6 tn Grk “these things.”
7 tn The genitive absolute construction with the participle ὄντων (ontwn) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle. On the term translated “indisputable” see BDAG 68-69 s.v. ἀναντίρρητος which has “not to be contradicted, undeniable.”
8 tn Grk “it is necessary that you be quiet.”
9 tn L&N 88.98 has “pertaining to impetuous and reckless behavior – ‘reckless, impetuous.’…‘so then, you must calm down and not do anything reckless’ Ac 19:36.” The city secretary was asking that order be restored.
10 tn Or perhaps, “desecrators of temples.”
11 sn Nor blasphemers of our goddess. There was no formal crime with which Paul could be charged. He had the right to his religion as long as he did not act physically against the temple. Since no overt act had taken place, the official wanted the community to maintain the status quo on these religious matters. The remarks suggest Paul was innocent of any civil crime.
12 tn BDAG 600 s.v. λόγος 1.a.ε has “ἔχειν πρός τινα λόγον have a complaint against someone…19:38.”
13 tn L&N 56.1 has ‘if Demetrius and his workers have an accusation against someone, the courts are open’ Ac 19:38.”
14 tn The word “there” is not in the Greek text but is implied. The official’s request is that the legal system be respected.
15 tn Or “anything more than this.”
16 tn Or “resolved.”
17 tn Or “in a legal meeting of the citizens.” L&N 30.81 has “ἐν τῇ ἐννόμῳ ἐκκλησίᾳ ἐπιλυθήσεται ‘it will have to be settled in a legal meeting of the citizens’ Ac 19:39.” This meeting took place three times a year.
18 tn Grk “For indeed.” The ascensive force of καί (kai) would be awkward to translate here.
19 tn The term translated “rioting” refers to a revolt or uprising (BDAG 940 s.v. στάσις 2, 3). This would threaten Roman rule and invite Roman intervention.
20 tn Or “to account for.” Grk “since there is no cause concerning which we can give account concerning this disorderly gathering.” The complexity of the Greek relative clause (“which”) and the multiple prepositions (“concerning”) have been simplified in the translation consistent with contemporary English style.
21 tn Or “commotion.” BDAG 979 s.v. συστροφή 1 gives the meaning “a tumultuous gathering of people, disorderly/seditious gathering or commotion…Ac 19:40.”
22 tn Grk “And after.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.
23 tn Grk “And saying.” The participle εἰπών (eipwn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
24 tn Grk “these things.”
25 sn Verse 41 in the English text is included as part of verse 40 in the standard critical editions of the Greek NT.
