Acts 19:23
What does Acts 19:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:23 means
Around that time, a significant disturbance arises concerning the Way. The term “the Way” highlights Christianity as a distinct path of life under Jesus’ lordship. The gospel’s ethical and theological claims now collide with public interests. This unrest is not due to Christian violence but to the perceived threat the message poses to idolatry and profit. The verse sets the tone for the coming riot: the success of the word provokes resistance. Light unseats darkness; idols lose customers when hearts turn to the living God. What follows will reveal the city’s priorities and the fragility of its civic peace when confronted with truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And about that time a great outcry took place about the Way.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And there came, at that time, not a little stir about the way,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now at that time there arose no small disturbance about the way of the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And there took place at that time no small disturbance about the way.
Context
This transition follows Paul’s continued stay in Asia and his sending of Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia. It signals a narrative pivot from revival to riot. The next verses introduce Demetrius, who makes silver shrines of Diana and mobilizes craftsmen by appealing to economic and religious concerns. The conflict will escalate into a chaotic assembly, threatening Paul’s companions and testing the city’s legal order.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 6:9
as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
- Acts 24:22
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.
- Acts 22:4
and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
- Acts 24:14
But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
- Acts 19:9
But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
- 2 Corinthians 1:8
For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell us in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
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