Acts 19:40
What does Acts 19:40 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:40 means
He warns that they are in danger of being accused over the day’s riot, having no cause, and that they will not be able to give an account of this concourse. The threat of Roman scrutiny sobers the crowd. Without a legal basis, the assembly’s actions expose the city to punitive measures. This pragmatic appeal is effective where religious and economic arguments only inflamed passions. God uses the empire’s concern for order to shield His people. The gospel is not vindicated here by conversion, but by justice restraining injustice. The official’s words bring the riot to a close without any compromise of the Christian message.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day’s riot, there being no cause for it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day’s riot, there being no cause for it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For, truly, we are in danger of being made responsible for this day's trouble, there being no cause for it: and we are not able to give any reason for this coming together.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for we are also in peril of being accused of insurrection in regard to this day, there being no occasion by which we shall be able to give an account of this concourse;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For we are even in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no man guilty (of whom we may give account) of this concourse. And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For also we are in danger to be put in accusation for sedition for this [affair] of to-day, no cause existing in reference to which we shall be able to give a reason for this concourse.
Context
This warning follows the townclerk’s insistence on legal processes and the innocence of the accused in matters of sacrilege. It provides the decisive pressure to end the unlawful gathering. The next and final verse will state simply that he dismissed the assembly, signaling that the immediate danger has passed and that the church in Ephesus has been preserved through a providential civic intervention.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 26:5
But they said, Not during the feast, lest a tumult arise among the people.
- Acts 21:31
And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
- Acts 17:5
But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people.
- Acts 21:38
Art thou not then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?
- 1 Kings 1:41
And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?
- Acts 20:1
And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
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