Acts 19:31
What does Acts 19:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:31 means
Even some of the Asiarchs, influential provincial officials and Paul’s friends, send to him urging that he not venture into the theater. This is a remarkable note: men of standing respect Paul and intercede for his safety. The gospel’s advance has earned not only converts but also goodwill among certain civic leaders. Their counsel aligns with the disciples’ restraint, revealing a consensus that entering would be disastrous. God’s providence often works through unexpected friendships to protect His servants. The verse also shows that the Christian movement is not inherently subversive of civil order; it has friends who value peace and due process.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And some of the rulers of Asia, being his friends, sent to him, requesting him seriously not to put himself in danger by going into the theatre.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and certain also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, having sent unto him, were entreating him not to venture himself into the theatre.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And some also of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring that he would not venture himself into the theatre.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and some of the Asiarchs also, who were his friends, sent to him and urged him not to throw himself into the theatre.
Context
This follows the Christians’ attempt to keep Paul from entering the riotous assembly and adds an external, civic layer of counsel. The next verse returns to the chaos inside the theater, where contradictory shouts and ignorance prevail. The account will then introduce Alexander, put forward by the Jews to make a defense, only to be drowned out by the crowd’s prolonged chant.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please Jehovah, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
- Acts 19:10
And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
- Acts 16:6
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;
- Acts 21:12
And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
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