Acts 19:35
What does Acts 19:35 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:35 means
The townclerk quiets the multitude and appeals to common knowledge: Ephesus is the temple-keeper of the great Diana and of the image that fell from Jupiter. He leverages civic-religious pride to calm fears. If their status is so secure, rash violence is unnecessary. The official does not embrace the gospel, but God uses his authority to protect Christians. He reasons from their own premises, not from Scripture, to restore order. The mention of the heaven-sent image underscores the city’s confidence, which paradoxically enables him to urge restraint. This shows how God can work through secular structures to preserve His people for continued mission.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when the chief secretary had got the people quiet, he said, Men of Ephesus, is any man without knowledge that the town of Ephesus is the keeper of the holy place of the great Diana, who was sent down from Jupiter?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the public clerk having quieted the multitude, saith, `Men, Ephesians, why, who is the man that doth not know that the city of the Ephesians is a devotee of the great goddess Artemis, and of that which fell down from Zeus?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when the town clerk had appeased the multitudes, he said: Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great Diana and of Jupiter's offspring?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the townclerk, having quieted the crowd, said, Ephesians, what man is there then who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of Artemis the great, and of the [image] which fell down from heaven?
Context
This intervention follows two hours of chanting and marks the turning point from riot to resolution. The townclerk acknowledges Ephesus’s identity to disarm anxiety, then will urge lawful procedure. The next verses argue that the men seized are not temple robbers or blasphemers and that any grievances should be handled in court or regular assembly. The speech will conclude by warning of Roman repercussions for rioting.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 14:12
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10
and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
- Acts 18:19
And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
- Ephesians 2:12
that ye were at that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
- Acts 19:26
And 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:
- 1 Timothy 4:2
through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;
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