Acts 19:35-40

19:35 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 

[19:35]  ¹ tn Or “clerk.” The “scribe” (γραμματεύς, grammateu") was the keeper of the city’s records.

[19:35]  ² tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo").

[19:35]  ³ tn See BDAG 670 s.v. νεωκόρος. The city is described as the “warden” or “guardian” of the goddess and her temple.

[19:35]  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.

[19:35]  ⁵ tn Or “from the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).

[19:36]  ⁶ tn Grk “these things.”

[19:36]  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.”

[19:36]  ⁸ tn Grk “it is necessary that you be quiet.”

[19:36]  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.

[19:37]  ¹⁰ tn Or perhaps, “desecrators of temples.”

[19:37]  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.

[19:38]  ¹² tn BDAG 600 s.v. λόγος 1.a.ε has “ἔχειν πρός τινα λόγον have a complaint against someone…19:38.”

[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.”

[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.

[19:39]  ¹⁵ tn Or “anything more than this.”

[19:39]  ¹⁶ tn Or “resolved.”

[19:39]  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.

[19:40]  ¹⁸ tn Grk “For indeed.” The ascensive force of καί (kai) would be awkward to translate here.

[19:40]  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.

[19:40]  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.

[19:40]  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.”