Acts 19:29
What does Acts 19:29 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:29 means
The city is filled with confusion, and with one accord they rush into the theater, seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s Macedonian companions. Mob dynamics now rule. The theater, a venue for civic gatherings, becomes the stage for chaos. By grabbing Paul’s associates, the crowd personalizes its rage and exerts pressure. Gaius and Aristarchus’s presence underscores the international character of the mission and the cost borne by co-workers. The verse conveys the precariousness of gospel work in a hostile environment, yet also God’s providence—Paul himself is restrained from harm at this point by circumstances yet to be described.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the town was full of noise and trouble, and they all came running into the theatre, having taken by force Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia who were journeying in company with Paul.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the whole city was filled with confusion, they rushed also with one accord into the theatre, having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's fellow-travellers.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the whole city was filled with confusion. And having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the [whole] city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord to the theatre, having seized and carried off with [them] Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow-travellers of Paul.
Context
This scene follows the chant exalting Diana and marks the riot’s escalation. The mob targets Paul’s companions and commandeers a public space. In the next verses, Paul wants to enter and address the assembled people, but the disciples and friendly officials warn him not to risk it. The assembly’s confusion will become more evident as many do not know why they are there.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 19:22
And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
- Acts 16:9
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
- Acts 21:30
And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut.
- Acts 19:32
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
- Acts 20:34
Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
- 2 Corinthians 8:19
and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness:
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