Acts 19:25
What does Acts 19:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:25 means
Demetrius gathers fellow craftsmen and bluntly states their shared interest: “By this business we have our wealth.” He frames the issue economically before he adds religious concerns. The gospel threatens not only beliefs but also the economy built on them. His candor exposes the motive behind the agitation. Yet by rallying a group whose livelihoods align, he readies a potent force. Public unrest often begins where profit is at stake. The speech that follows will blame Paul for declining sales and claim that Diana’s honor is in danger. Demetrius’s tactic is to bind wallets and worship together to rouse maximum outrage.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Whom he got together, with other workmen of the same trade, and said to them, Men, it is clear that from this business we get our wealth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862whom, having brought in a crowd together, and those who did work about such things, he said, `Men, ye know that by this work we have our wealth;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Whom he calling together with the workmen of like occupation, said: Sirs, you know that our gain is by this trade.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890whom having brought together, and those who wrought in such things, he said, Men, ye know that our well-living arises from this work,
Context
Following the introduction of Demetrius and his trade, this verse records his convening of like-minded workers. It sets up his argument that Paul’s preaching is turning people away from idols. The next verses will expand on this claim, alleging threats to both their business and the prestige of Diana’s temple. This rhetoric will inflame the crowd, leading to a mass outcry and a rush into the theater.
v.24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen;
v.25This passage
v.26And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 18:11
And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandise any more;
- Acts 16:19
But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,
- Revelation 18:3
For by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness.
- 2 Peter 2:3
And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not.
- Hosea 4:8
They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.
- Hosea 12:7
He isa trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
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