Teks -- Acts 19:35 (NET)

19:35 After the city secretary quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, what person is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the keeper of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image that fell from heaven?

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Act 19:35 - The town-clerk

The town-clerk ( ho grammateus ).

Ephesus was a free city and elected its own officers and the recorder or secretary was the chief magistrate of the city, though the proconsul of the province of Asia resided there. This officer is not a mere secretary of another officer or like the copyists and students of the law among the Jews, but the most influential person in Ephesus who drafted decrees with the aid of the stratāgoi , had charge of the city’ s money, was the power in control of the assembly, and communicated directly with the proconsul. Inscriptions at Ephesus give frequently this very title for their chief officer and the papyri have it also. The precise function varied in different cities. His name appeared on the coin at Ephesus issued in his year of office.

Robertson: Act 19:35 - Had quieted the multitude

Had quieted the multitude ( katasteilas ton ochlon ).

First aorist active participle of katastellō , to send down, arrange dress (Euripides), lower (Plutarch), restrain (papyrus example), only twice in the N.T. (here and Act 19:36, be quiet), but in lxx and Josephus. He evidently took the rostrum and his very presence as the city’ s chief officer had a quieting effect on the billowy turmoil and a semblance of order came. He waited, however, till the hubbub had nearly exhausted itself (two hours) and did not speak till there was a chance to be heard.

Robertson: Act 19:35 - Saith

Saith ( phāsin ).

Historical present for vividness.

Robertson: Act 19:35 - How that.

How that.

Merely participle ousan and accusative polin in indirect discourse, no conjunction at all (Robertson, Grammar , pp. 1040ff.), common idiom after ginōskō , to know.

Robertson: Act 19:35 - Temple-keeper

Temple-keeper ( neōkoron ).

Old word from neōs (naos' , temple, and koreō , to sweep. Warden, verger, cleaner of the temple, a sacristan. So in Xenophon and Plato. Inscriptions so describe Ephesus as neōkoron tēs Artemidos as Luke has it here and also applied to the imperial cultus which finally had several such temples in Ephesus. Other cities claimed the same honour of being neōkoros , but it was the peculiar boast of Ephesus because of the great temple of Artemis. A coin of a.d. 65 describes Ephesus as neōkoros . There are papyri examples of the term applied to individuals, one to Priene as neōkoros of the temple in Ephesus (Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary ).

Robertson: Act 19:35 - And of the image which fell down from Jupiter

And of the image which fell down from Jupiter ( kai tou diopetous ).

Supply agalma (image), "the from heaven-fallen image."From Zeus (Dios ) and petō (piptō , pipetō ), to fall. Zeus (Jupiter) was considered lord of the sky or heaven and that is the idea in diopetous here. The legend about a statue fallen from heaven occurs concerning the statue of Artemis at Tauris, Minerva at Athens, etc. Thus the recorder soothed the vanity (Rackham) of the crowd by appeal to the world-wide fame of Ephesus as sacristan of Artemis and of her heaven-fallen image.

Vincent: Act 19:35 - The town-clerk

The town-clerk

Or recorder, who had charge of the city-archives, and whose duty it was to draw up official decrees and present them to assemblies of the people. Next to the commander, he was the most important personage in the Greek free cities.

Vincent: Act 19:35 - Worshipper

Worshipper ( νεωκόρον )

Lit., a temple-sweeper. See on Act 19:27. This title, originally applied to the lowest menials of the temple, became a title of honor, and was eagerly appropriated by the most famous cities. Alexander says, " The city of Ephesus is the sacristan of the great goddess Artemis."

Wesley: Act 19:35 - The register

Probably the chief governor of the public games.

Wesley: Act 19:35 - The image which fell down from Jupiter

They believed that very image of Diana, which stood in her temple, fell down from Jupiter in heaven. Perhaps he designed to insinuate, as if falling down from Jupiter, it was not made with hands, and so was not that sort of idols which Paul had said were no gods.

JFB: Act 19:35-41 - when the town-clerk

Keeper of the public archives, and a magistrate of great authority.

JFB: Act 19:35-41 - had appeased

"calmed."

JFB: Act 19:35-41 - the people

"the multitude," which the very presence of such an officer would go far to do.

JFB: Act 19:35-41 - he said . . . what man . . . knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana

Literally, the neocoros or "warden." The word means "temple-sweeper"; then, "temple-guardian." Thirteen cities of Asia had an interest in the temple, but Ephesus was honored with the charge of it. (Various cities have claimed this title with reference to the Virgin or certain saints) [WEBSTER and WILKINSON].

JFB: Act 19:35-41 - and of the image which fell down from Jupiter

"from the sky" or "from heaven." See on Act 19:27. "With this we may compare various legends concerning images and pictures in the Romish Church, such as the traditional likenesses of Christ, which were said to be "not made with hands"" [WEBSTER and WILKINSON].

Clarke: Act 19:35 - When the town-clerk

When the town-clerk - Ὁγραμματευς, Literally, the scribe. The Syriac has reisha damedinato , the chief or prince of the city. The later Syriac has, the scribe of the city. Some think that the word recorder would do better here than town-clerk; and indeed it is evident that a magistrate of considerable authority and influence is intended - the mayor or sovereign of the city

Clarke: Act 19:35 - Ye men of Ephesus

Ye men of Ephesus - The speech of this man may be thus analyzed

1.    He states that there was no need of a public declaration that the Ephesians were worshippers of Diana; this every person knew, and nobody attempted to contest it, Act 19:35, Act 19:36

2.    That the persons accused were not guilty of any public offense, nor of any breach of the laws of the city, Act 19:37

3.    That, if they were, this was not a legal method of prosecuting them, Act 19:38, Act 19:39

4.    That they themselves, by this tumultuous meeting, had exposed themselves to the censure of the law, and were in danger of being called into question for it, Act 19:40. See Dodd

Clarke: Act 19:35 - Is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana

Is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana - The word νεωκορος, neocoros , which we translate worshipper, signified at first, among the ancient Greeks, no more than sweeper of the temple, and answered nearly to our sexton: in process of time, the care of the temple was intrusted to this person: at length the neocori became persons of great consequence, and were those who offered sacrifices for the life of the emperor. Whole cities took this appellation, as appears on many ancient coins and medals; and Ephesus is supposed to have been the first that assumed this title. At this time, it was commonly known as belonging to this city. "What man is there that knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is the Neocoros of the great goddess Diana?"As if he had said: "The whole city is devoted to her worship: it is reputed an honor to our highest characters even to sweep her temple, and open and shut her doors. Besides, we offer to her the highest sacrifices; and are intrusted with the religious service that pertains to the emperor’ s safety.

Clarke: Act 19:35 - Of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

Of the image which fell down from Jupiter? - The original image of the Ephesian Diana (see on Act 19:27 (note)) was supposed to have descended from heaven; which intimates that it was so old that no person knew either its maker or the time in which it was formed, and it was the interest of the priests to persuade the people that this image had been sent to them as a present from Jupiter himself. Several images and sacred things were supposed, among the heathens, to be presents immediately from heaven. Euripides states the image of Diana of Tauri to be of this kind; and calls it διοπετες αγαλμα, the image fallen from Jupiter. Numa pretended that the ancilia , or sacred shields, had come from heaven. In imitation of these, many of the Italian papists believe that the shrine of our lady of Loretto was also a Divine gift to their country. St. Isidore, of Damietta, says that the heathen, in order to induce the people to believe that such images came from heaven, either banished or slew the artists that had formed them, that there might be no evidence of the time in which, or the persons by whom, they were made: this point secured, it was easy to persuade the credulous multitude that they had been sent from heaven. The story of the Palladium, on which the safety of Troy was said to depend, is well known. It was an image of Minerva, and also supposed to have descended from Jupiter.

Calvin: Act 19:35 - NO PHRASE

35. Luke showeth in this place that the tumult was so appeased, that yet, notwithstanding, superstition prevailed with the mad people, and the truth of God was not heard. For the town-clerk, as politic men use to do, counteth it sufficient for him if he can by any means appease the outrageous multitude. Nevertheless, the cause itself is oppressed. He saw undoubtedly Demetrius’ malice, and how he had troubled the city, abusing the pretense of religion for his own private gain; but he toucheth not that wound which he knew to be unknown to the unskillful. Nevertheless, to the end he may stay the uproar and contention, he extolleth the reigned power of Diana, and maintaineth her superstitious worship. If Paul had been in the common place − ³⁹⁸ at that time, he would rather have suffered death an hundred times than have suffered himself to be delivered from danger paying so dear for it. For though the town-clerk had not been by him commanded to speak thus, yet it should have been treacherous dissimulation in a public witness and preacher of heavenly doctrine. The scribe affirmeth that the image which the Ephesians did worship came down from heaven, and that Paul and his companions spake no blasphemy against their goddess. Could he have holden his peace, but he must needs by his silence have allowed his false excuse? And this had been to shake hands with idolatry. Therefore, it was not without cause that Luke said before that Paul was kept back by the brethren, and not suffered to enter into the common place [theater]. −

Defender: Act 19:35 - image which fell down

This tradition was derived from the fact that a large meteorite had fallen from the sky into Ephesus. It apparently had a shape which the pagan leaders of Ephesus interpreted as a many-breasted female which they identified as an image of the goddess. Copies of this image thereafter became both commercially and religiously profitable to the Ephesians. Renaissance scholars denied that such an event could ever have happened until other meteorite falls began to be documented in modern times."

TSK: Act 19:35 - Ye men // a worshipper // and of // Jupiter

Ye men : Eph 2:12

a worshipper : Gr. the temple-keeper

and of : Act 19:26; 2Th 2:10,2Th 2:11; 1Ti 4:2

Jupiter : Act 14:12, Act 14:13

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Act 19:35 - Town clerk // Is a worshipper // The image which fell down from Jupiter

Town clerk or secretary, who registered their acts, and intervened in all their meetings.

Is a worshipper each country and city had their peculiar gods, which they worshipped, and took for their patrons, as Ephesus did this goddess Diana. But the word here signifies a sacrist, or one that looks to the temple to keep it clean; especially that hath the charge of more solemn shows or sports in honour of any supposed deity: and these Ephesians took it to be their no small glory, that they were employed in such as belonged to Diana.

The image which fell down from Jupiter though the maker’ s name (Canetias) is upon record, yet it having lasted whilst the temple was six or seven times repaired, at least, if not renewed, and none ever remembering when it first was brought in amongst them, the crafty priests persuaded the credulous people that it was fallen from heaven, thereby getting more honour unto it, and profit to themselves.

Haydock: Act 19:35 - The town-clerk // Jupiter's offspring // Is a worshipper

The town-clerk, &c. Literally, the scribe, or the recorder of the city. ---

Jupiter's offspring. [2] His daughter, according to the poets. The Greek text seems to signify a statue, or figure of Diana, which was pretended to have fallen from heaven, and from Jupiter. (Witham) ---

Is a worshipper. Greek: Neokoron ousan; the word Greek: Neokoros is found in this sense in the Arundelian marbles, and more frequently on ancient coins and inscriptions. Its derivation is from Greek: neos, a temple, and Greek: kore, a virgin, or rather Greek: korein, to cleanse and decorate; as if this city were especially destined to ornament the Diana of Ephesus, which the people supposed came to them not by the work of man, but a present from heaven.

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[BIBLIOGRAPHY]

Jovisque prolis, Greek: kai tou diopetous. Simulachri a cælo dilapsi. See Suidas.

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Gill: Act 19:35 - And when the town clerk 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

And when the town clerk had appeased the people,.... Caused them to cease their loud outcry, so as that he could be heard. This person seems to have been more than a "town clerk", as we render it; or a common "scribe", as the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions render it; rather as the Syriac version, "a chief man of the city"; the Septuagint interpreters in Exo 5:6 use the word for the Egyptian officers that were over the Israelites; and the Babylonians used to call the priest of ^a Isis by this name; and according to some learned men, this man's office was to register the conquerors' names, and their rewards in the theatre; and who was chosen into this office by the people, and was a man of some considerable authority, as it is very apparent by what follows that this man was:

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? the word "Neocorus", translated "worshipper", signifies an officer in the temple, one that looked after it, beautified and adorned it; for "Neocorus" is from κορεω, which signifies to beautify ^b; though some etymologists would have the word to signify to sweep and clean, as if this officer was a sexton; rather, he answered to a churchwarden, and to this agrees the Syriac version; though this office belonged not to a single person, but to a city. Now to be a worshipper of Diana, was not peculiar to the city of Ephesus, as appears from Act 19:27 but to be Neocorus, a sacrist to the goddess, was a favour granted to some cities, and accounted a great honour; some had it twice, some thrice, some four times:

and of the image which fell down from Jupiter; or "of Diopetes"; so the Palladium, or image of Pallas, was called, because it was supposed to fall down from heaven, which Diomedes and Ulysses are said to take away from Troy; and here it seems to be something distinct from the goddess Diana, and her image, and may design another deity worshipped along with her, and by them, since they make mention of more gods, Act 19:26. The Vulgate Latin version takes it to be the same with Diana, reading the words in connection with the preceding, "and the offspring of Jupiter"; she being said to be his daughter by Latona, as before observed; and the Ethiopic version understands it of her image, rendering them thus, "and of that molten image which was sent from Jupiter the great god"; and more expressly the Syriac version, which reads, "and of her image which fell from heaven"; and so was not made with the hands of men, and could not be objected to on that account, or denied to be a deity; and this the people might be the rather induced to believe, since it had been in the temple before the memory of any man. The Arabic version, reading these words in connection with the beginning of the next verse, gives a very different sense, "but neither indeed they that fell from heaven contradict the faith of this thing"; as if it was to be understood of the fallen angels, of which it can hardly be thought Demetrius had any knowledge. This image, Pliny says ^c, it was doubted of what it was made; some said of the vine tree, others of ebony; but Athenagoras says, the old image of Diana of the Ephesians was made of olive ^d.