Acts 19:37
What does Acts 19:37 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:37 means
The townclerk points out that the men brought forward are neither temple-robbers nor blasphemers of their goddess. This is crucial: Christians are not condemned for sacrilege or public insults against Diana. Paul’s preaching exposes idolatry’s futility but does not rely on desecration or slander. The official recognizes there is no legal basis for the riot. By acquitting them of these common charges, he dismantles the mob’s supposed justification. The verse showcases the early church’s posture: bold in proclaiming the truth about God, yet not criminal under Roman law for impiety or theft.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For you have taken these men, who are not doing damage to the holy place or talking against our goddess.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`For ye brought these men, who are neither temple-robbers nor speaking evil of your goddess;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For you have brought hither these men, who are neither guilty of sacrilege nor of blasphemy against your goddess.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For ye have brought these men, [who are] neither temple-plunderers, nor speak injuriously of yourgoddess.
Context
This follows the general call to quiet and narrows the focus to the legal innocence of Paul’s companions. The next verses direct any disputes to the courts and proconsuls, or to the regular assembly for other matters. The clerk’s argument will culminate in a warning about the danger of being accused of rioting without cause, pressing the crowd to disperse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 6:3
giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed;
- Acts 25:8
while Paul said in his defence, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cæsar, have I sinned at all.
- 1 Corinthians 10:32
Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:
- Romans 2:22
thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob temples?
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