Riotous Response of Idolaters

Acts 19:21-41

The Riot at Ephesus

21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.

23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship."

28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" 29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. 30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. 32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"

35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: "Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today's uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering." 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Paul experienced the riotous response to the gospel by the idolaters of Ephesus after he tarried there before going on to Jerusalem as planned and confirmed by the Spirit of God in him.  He sent co-laborers Timothy and Erastus on ahead to Macedonia where he also planned to journey through later on his way to the destination set by God while he continued in the teaching and preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ there among the Ephesians.  Then an idol maker and seller saw his business drop off as his monetary profits were being replaced with eternal spiritual profits in those who followed the Way, Truth, and Life of the only true God who is opposed to worship of cheap substitutes for Himself crafted by men’s hands (Exodus 20:5, Joshua 24:19-20, 23).  Demetrius the silversmith stirred up a mob of fellow idol workers against Paul for disrespecting their false god and depriving them of their livelihood and prosperity.  He spurred them on by telling the gathered mob how Paul was leading much of Asia away from idol worship and cutting into their profits and denigrating their revered goddess whose magnificence would be destroyed if this gospel was allowed to be to spread.  They took up arms against the one who told the people that “they are not gods which are made with hands” as Leviticus 26:30 and Jeremiah 10:5 reaffirm.  We see in Isaiah 46:5-6 how the Lord God is far above any lifeless creation of man and alone is worthy of man’s praise and worship.  These idolatrous men were set against God and His Anointed who reveals Him to men and women, and therefore they had to stop the way to God from leading these away from their rejection of God by these cheap inanimate substitutes in direct disobedience to the first commandment (Exodus 20:4).  The unrighteousness of the mob yelled, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” in the ensuing confusion as they rushed into the theater with a mindle mentality and grabbed Paul's Macedonian travel companions, Gaius and Aristarchus.  The bedlam was so driven by hate that many in the mob did not even know what they were doing there or what the problem was.  How true it is even today that many follow opponents of the gospel and lash hate in a mindless group attack of words or actions without even hearing the gospel or what it entails.  It took a city official to speak rationally to the angry mob of the consequences of breaking the law without taking Paul and his cohorts to trial for these alleged crimes.  This one used their false gods as a rationale to rely on them and not act rashly in committing murder.  God can use even the unrighteous to accomplish Hos purpose and protection of His people who are the church and deliver the message of release from His wrath and its punishment through the forgiveness and grace of the message preached who is Jesus Christ His Son and our Lord.  This city official was used by God to quiet the mob and release His messengers to continue the mess of the Way according to the Truth which leads to Life in Christ.  The riotous response of the ungodly idolaters was met with the sovereign power and grace of God and the preaching of the good news continued by Paul and his companions who labored with him in these acts of the Spirit through the apostles and disciples.  May we be likewise faithful in the midst of opposition as we are led to bear witness to the grace of God in Jesus Christ.