Teks -- Acts 19:36-41 (NET)

19:36 So because these facts are indisputable, you must keep quiet and not do anything reckless. 19:37 For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. 19:38 If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against someone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another there. 19:39 But if you want anything in addition, it will have to be settled in a legal assembly. 19:40 For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause we can give to explain this disorderly gathering.” 19:41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

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

Robertson: Act 19:36 - Cannot be gainsaid

Cannot be gainsaid ( anantirātn oun ontōn ).

Genitive absolute with oun (therefore). Undeniable (an , anti , rātos ), verbal adjective. Occasionally in late Greek (Polybius, etc.), only here in N.T., but adverb anantirētōs in Act 10:29. These legends were accepted as true and appeased the mob.

Robertson: Act 19:36 - Ye ought

Ye ought ( deon estin ).

It is necessary. Periphrastic present indicative instead of dei like 1Pe 1:6; 1Ti 5:13.

Robertson: Act 19:36 - Be quiet

Be quiet ( katestalmenous ).

Perfect passive participle of katastellō (see Act 19:35).

Robertson: Act 19:36 - Rash

Rash ( propetes ).

Old adjective from pro and petō , to fall forward, headlong, precipitate. In the N.T. only here and 2Ti 3:4, though common in the Koiné. Better look before you leap.

Robertson: Act 19:37 - Neither robbers of temples

Neither robbers of temples ( oute hierosulous ).

Common word in Greek writers from hieron , temple, and sulaō , to rob, be guilty of sacrilege. The word is found also on inscriptions in Ephesus. The Jews were sometimes guilty of this crime (Rom 2:22), since the heathen temples often had vast treasures like banks. The ancients felt as strongly about temple-robbing as westerners used to feel about a horse-thief.

Robertson: Act 19:37 - Nor blasphemers of our goddess

Nor blasphemers of our goddess ( oute blasphāmountas tān theon hēmōn ).

Nor those who blasphemed our goddess. That is to say, these men (Gaius and Aristarchus) as Christians had so conducted themselves (Col 4:5) that no charge could be placed against them either in act (temple-robbery) or word (blasphemy). They had done a rash thing since these men are innocent. Paul had used tact in Ephesus as in Athens in avoiding illegalities.

Robertson: Act 19:38 - Have a matter against any one

Have a matter against any one ( echousin pros tina logon ).

For this use of echō logon with pros See note on Mat 5:32; and note on Col 3:13. The town-clerk names Demetrius and the craftsmen (technitai ) as the parties responsible for the riot.

Robertson: Act 19:38 - The courts are open

The courts are open ( agoraioi agontai ).

Supply hāmerai (days), court days are kept, or sunodoi , court-meetings are now going on, Vulgate conventus forenses aguntur . Old adjective from agora (forum) marketplace where trials were held. Cf. Act 17:4. There were regular court days whether they were in session then or not.

Robertson: Act 19:38 - And there are proconsuls

And there are proconsuls ( kai anthupatoi eisin ).

Asia was a senatorial province and so had proconsuls (general phrase) though only one at a time, "a rhetorical plural"(Lightfoot). Page quotes from an inscription of the age of Trajan on an aqueduct at Ephesus in which some of Luke’ s very words occur (neōkoros , anthupatos , grammateus , dāmos ).

Robertson: Act 19:38 - Let them accuse one another

Let them accuse one another ( egkaleitōsan allēlois ).

Present active imperative of egkaleō (en , kaleō ), old verb to call in one’ s case, to bring a charge against, with the dative. Luke uses the verb six times in Acts for judicial proceedings (Act 19:38, Act 19:40; Act 23:28, Act 23:29; Act 26:2, Act 26:7). The town-clerk makes a definite appeal to the mob for orderly legal procedure as opposed to mob violence in a matter where money and religious prejudice unite, a striking rebuke to so-called lynch-law proceedings in lands today where Christianity is supposed to prevail.

Robertson: Act 19:39 - Anything about other matters

Anything about other matters ( tōi peraiterō ).

Most MSS. here have tōi peri heterōn , but B b Vulgate read tōi peraiterō as in Plato’ s Phaedo . Several papyri examples of it also. It is comparative peraiteros of pera , beyond. Note also epi in epizāteite . Charges of illegal conduct (Page) should be settled in the regular legal way. But, if you wish to go further and pass resolutions about the matter exciting you, "it shall be settled in the regular assembly"(en tōi ennomōi ekklēsiāi ). "In the lawful assembly,"not by a mob like this. Wood ( Ephesus ) quotes an inscription there with this very phrase "at every lawful assembly"(kata pāsan ennomon ekklāsian ). The Roman officials alone could give the sanction for calling such a lawful or regular assembly. The verb epiluō is an old one, but in the N.T. only here and Mar 4:34 (which see) where Jesus privately opened or disclosed the parables to the disciples. The papyri give examples of the verb in financial transactions as well as of the metaphorical sense. The solution will come in the lawful assembly, not in a riot like this. See also 2Pe 1:20 where the substantive epilusis occurs for disclosure or revelation (prophecy).

Robertson: Act 19:40 - For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day’ s riot

For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day’ s riot ( kai gar kinduneuomen egkaleisthai staseōs peri tēs sāmeron ).

The text is uncertain. The text of Westcott and Hort means "to be accused of insurrection concerning today’ s assembly."The peril was real. Kinduneuomen , from kindunos , danger, peril. Old verb, but in the N.T. only here and Luk 8:23; 1Co 15:30.

Robertson: Act 19:40 - There being no cause for it

There being no cause for it ( mādenos aitiou huparchontos ).

Genitive absolute with aitios , common adjective (cf. aitia , cause) though in N.T. only here and Heb 5:9; Luk 23:4, Luk 23:14, Luk 23:22.

Robertson: Act 19:40 - And as touching it

And as touching it ( peri hou ).

"Concerning which."But what? No clear antecedent, only the general idea.

Robertson: Act 19:40 - Give an account of this concourse

Give an account of this concourse ( apodounai logon peri tēs sustrophēs tautēs ).

Rationem reddere . They will have to explain matters to the proconsul. Sustrophē (from sun , together, strephō , to turn) is a late word for a conspiracy (Act 23:12) and a disorderly riot as here (Polybius). In Act 28:12 sustrephō is used of gathering up a bundle of sticks and of men combining in Mat 17:22. Seneca says that there was nothing on which the Romans looked with such jealousy as a tumultuous meeting.

Robertson: Act 19:41 - Dismissed the assembly

Dismissed the assembly ( apelusen tēn ekklēsian ).

The town-clerk thus gave a semblance of law and order to the mob by formally dismissing them, this much to protect them against the charge to which they were liable. This vivid, graphic picture given by Luke has all the earmarks of historical accuracy. Paul does not describe the incidents in his letters, was not in the theatre in fact, but Luke evidently obtained the details from one who was there. Aristarchus, we know, was with Luke in Caesarea and in Rome and could have supplied all the data necessary. Certainly both Gaius and Aristarchus were lively witnesses of these events since their own lives were involved.

Vincent: Act 19:36 - Quiet

Quiet ( κατεσταλμένους )

Compare quieted (Act 19:35). The verb means to let down or lower; and so is applied, metaphorically, to keeping one's self in check; repressing.

Vincent: Act 19:36 - Rash

Rash ( προπετὲς )

Lit., headlong.

Vincent: Act 19:37 - Robbers of churches

Robbers of churches ( ἱεροσύλους )

The A. V. puts a droll anachronism into the mouth of the town-clerk of a Greek city. Render, rather, as Rev., robbers of temples.

Vincent: Act 19:38 - The law is open

The law is open ( ἀγοραῖοι ᾶγονται )

Lit., the court-days are being kept. Rev., the courts are open . Compare Rev 17:5.

Vincent: Act 19:38 - Deputies

Deputies ( ἀνθύπατοι )

Proconsuls, by whom Asia, as a senatorial province, was governed. See Introduction to Luke.

Vincent: Act 19:40 - Concourse

Concourse ( συστροφῆς )

Lit., a twisting together: hence of anything which is rolled or twisted into a mass; and so of a mass of people, with an underlying idea of confusion: a mob. Compare Act 23:12.

Wesley: Act 19:37 - Nor blasphemers of your goddess

They simply declared the one God, and the vanity of idols in general.

Wesley: Act 19:38 - There are proconsuls

One in every province. There was one at Ephesus.

Wesley: Act 19:39 - In a lawful assembly

In such a regular assembly as has authority to judge of religious and political affairs.

Wesley: Act 19:40 - This concourse

He wisely calls it by an inoffensive name.

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].

JFB: Act 19:36 - Seeing that these things cannot be spoken against, &c.

Like a true legal man, he urges that such was notoriously the constitution and fixed character of the city, with which its very existence was all but bound up. Did they suppose that all this was going to be overturned by a set of itinerant orators? Ridiculous! What did they mean, then, by raising such a stir?

JFB: Act 19:37 - For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches

"temple-plunderers," or sacrilegious persons.

JFB: Act 19:37 - nor yet blasphemers of your goddess

This is a remarkable testimony, showing that the apostle had, in preaching against idolatry, studiously avoided (as at Athens) insulting the feelings of those whom he addressed--a lesson this to missionaries and ministers in general.

JFB: Act 19:38 - if Demetrius have a matter

Of complaint.

JFB: Act 19:38 - against any man, the law is open

Rather, "the court days are being held."

JFB: Act 19:38 - and there are deputies

Literally "proconsuls" (see on Act 13:7); that is, probably, the proconsul and his council, as a court of appeal.

JFB: Act 19:39 - if ye inquire

"have any question."

JFB: Act 19:39 - concerning other matters

Of a public nature.

JFB: Act 19:40 - For we

The public authorities.

JFB: Act 19:40 - are in danger of being called in question

By our superiors.

Clarke: Act 19:37 - These men - are neither robbers of churches

These men - are neither robbers of churches - Ἱρεσυλους ; Spoilers of sacred places. As his design evidently was to appease and conciliate the people, he fixed first on a most incontrovertible fact: These men have not spoiled your temples; nor is there any evidence that they have even blasphemed your goddess. The apostles acted as prudent men should: they endeavored to enlighten the minds of the multitude, that the absurdity of their gross errors might be the more apparent; for, when they should know the truth, it was likely that they would at once abandon such gross falsehood.

Clarke: Act 19:38 - If Demetrius - have a matter against any man

If Demetrius - have a matter against any man - If it be any breach of law, in reference to Demetrius and the artists, the law is open, αγοραιοι αγονται ; these are the terms of law, public courts, times of sessions or assize; or, rather, the judges are mow sitting: so the words may be understood. And there are deputies, ανθυπατοι, proconsuls, appointed to guard the peace of the state, and to support every honest man in his right: let them implead one another; let the one party bring forward his action of assault or trespass, and the other put in his defense: the laws are equal and impartial, and justice will be done to him who is wronged.

Clarke: Act 19:39 - But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters

But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters - In which the safety of the state, or the national worship, is concerned, know that such a matter is not the business of the mob; it must be heard and determined in a lawful assembly, εν τη εννομῳ εκκλησιᾳ, one legally constituted, and properly authorized to hear and determine on the subject.

Clarke: Act 19:40 - For we are in danger, etc.

For we are in danger, etc. - Popular commotions were always dreaded by the Roman government; and so they should by all governments; for, when might has nothing to direct its operations but passion, how destructive must these operations be! One of the Roman laws made all such commotions of the people capital offenses against those who raised them. Qui caetum et concursus fecerit, capite puniatur : "He who raises a mob shall forfeit his life."If such a law existed at Ephesus - and it probably did, from this reference to it in the words of the town-clerk or recorder - then Demetrius must feel himself in great personal danger; and that his own life lay now at the mercy of those whom he had accused, concerning whom he had raised such an outcry, and against whom nothing disorderly could be proved.

Clarke: Act 19:41 - He dismissed the assembly

He dismissed the assembly - Την εκκλησιαν . Another proof that the word εκκλησια, which we generally translate church, signifies an assembly of any kind, good or bad, legal or illegal

1.    How forcible are right words! From the conduct of this prudent, sensible man, we may learn how much influence persons of this character may have, even over the unbridled multitude. But, where the civil power associates itself with the lawless might of the many, There must be confusion and every evil work. What a blessing to the community is the civil law! Were it not for this, the unthinking multitude would destroy others, and at last destroy themselves. Law and justice are from God; and the civil power, by which they are supported and administered, should be respected by all who regard the safety of their persons or property

2.    Though the ministry of St. Paul was greatly blessed at Ephesus, and his preaching appears to have been very popular, yet this sunshine was soon darkened: peace with the world cannot last long; the way of the Lord will always be opposed by those who love their own ways

3.    How few would make an outward profession of religion, were there no gain connected with it! And yet, as one justly observes, religion is rendered gainful only by some external part of it. For this very reason, the external part of religion is always on the increase, and none can find fault with it without raising storms and tempests; while the internal part wastes and decays, no man laying it to heart. Demetrius and his fellows would have made no stir for their worship, had not the apostle’ s preaching tended to discredit that by which they got their wealth. Most of the outcries that have been made against all revivals of religion - revivals by which the Church has been called back to its primitive principles and purity, have arisen out of self-interest. The cry of, the Church is in danger, has been echoed only by those who found their secular interest at stake; and knew that reformation must unmask them and show that the slothful and wicked servants could no longer be permitted to live on the revenues of that Church which they disgraced by their lives, and corrupted by their false doctrines. He that eats the Church’ s bread should do the Church’ s world: and he that will not work should not be permitted to eat.

Calvin: Act 19:37 - Men which are neither church-robbers

37.Men which are neither church-robbers He doth both truly and well deny that they be church-robbers; but he doth shortly after falsely define the kind of church-robbery to speak blasphemously against Diana. For seeing that all superstition is profane and polluted, it followeth that those be sacrilegious persons who translate the honor which is due to God alone unto idols. But the wisdom of the town-clerk, and that carnal, is here commended, and not his godliness. For he had respect unto this alone to extinguish the heat of the uproar; and therefore doth he at length conclude, if Demetrius have any private matter, there be judgment-seats and magistrates. And that public affairs must be handled in a lawful, and not in a disordered assembly — in an assembly gathered by the commandment of the magistrates, and not in a concourse which is without consideration, run together through the motion of one man, and to satisfy his appetite. − ³⁹⁹ He calleth them deputies, − ⁴⁰⁰ in the plural number, not that Asia had more than one, but because legates did sometimes keep courts in the place of the deputies. Also, he appeaseth them by putting them in fear, because the deputy had occasion offered to punish and fine the city sore. − ⁴⁰¹

TSK: Act 19:36 - ye ought

ye ought : Act 5:35-39; Pro 14:29, Pro 25:8

TSK: Act 19:37 - which

which : Act 25:8; 1Co 10:32; 2Co 6:3

TSK: Act 19:38 - Demetrius // have // the law is open

Demetrius : Act 19:24

have : Act 18:14; Deu 17:8; 1Co 6:1

the law is open : or, the court-days are kept

TSK: Act 19:39 - lawful

lawful : or, ordinary, Act 19:39

TSK: Act 19:40 - we are // uproar

we are : Act 17:5-8

uproar : Act 20:1, Act 21:31, Act 21:38; 1Ki 1:41; Mat 26:5

TSK: Act 19:41 - when // he dismissed

when : Pro 15:1, Pro 15:2; Ecc 9:17

he dismissed : Psa 65:7; 2Co 1:8-10

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

Poole: Act 19:36

He did there cunningly than honestly endeavour to evade their clamour, and still their rage, by telling them (how fallaciously soever), that neither Paul, nor any other Christian or Jew, had any quarrel with their goddess or worship. For they indeed were against all images that were made with hands; but theirs was not such a one, it being fallen down from heaven. We must consider he was but a pagan; and his design was only to still the people; and populus vult decipi.

Poole: Act 19:37 - Neither robbers of churches // Nor yet blasphemers of your goddess

Neither robbers of churches for they had not entered into their temple.

Nor yet blasphemers of your goddess Paul had barely preached this truth amongst them, not upbraiding them for their idolatry; as Michael, the archangel, brought no railing accusation against the devil, when he contended with him, Jud 1:9 .

Poole: Act 19:38 - The law is open // Deputies // Let them implead one another

The law is open which is fittest to determine all questions and controversies; for men would be partial to their own cause, and every one challenge to be in the right.

Deputies who, under the Roman emperors or consuls, had power to hear and determine of all matters.

Let them implead one another that so both parties may be heard.

Poole: Act 19:39 - Other matters

Other matters relating to the good government of the city, or maintaining the established religion, which ought not in such a confused manner to be treated of, but in an assembly called by lawful authority, which the Romans did usually call, at least, three times every month.

Poole: Act 19:40

He wisely minds them of their danger; for being under the power of the Romans, it was no less than the loss of their liberties to abet any faction or sedition; and to make a concourse or meeting tumultuously together, was capital, unless it were upon the sudden invasion of an enemy, or to but out some raging fire.

Poole: Act 19:41

The people were persuaded quietly to depart to their homes. Thus God one way or other, sometimes by friends, and sometimes by foes, kept his church and people from being ruined; and his hand is not shortened.

Haydock: Act 19:37 - Nor of blasphemy against your goddess

Nor of blasphemy against your goddess. St. John Chrysostom takes notice, that to calm the people, he says more than was true. (Witham)

Gill: Act 19:36 - Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against // ye ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly

Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against,.... This officer intimates, in order to quiet the mob, and make them easy, that these things were so certain, and well known, that nobody would pretend to contradict them, and therefore they must be mistaken in the men, whom they had hurried into the theatre; it was impossible that they, or any men, should be capable of saying any thing against the truth of these things: therefore

ye ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly; to these men, to their hurt, but sit down, and compose yourselves, and think again, and consider of this matter, and not go into any hasty measures, which may, in the issue, be prejudicial to yourselves.

Gill: Act 19:37 - For ye have brought hither these men // which are neither robbers of churches // nor yet blasphemers of your goddess

For ye have brought hither these men,.... The Arabic version reads, "these two men"; that is, Gaius and Aristarchus, whom they had brought by force into the theatre to fight with wild beasts:

which are neither robbers of churches; or "temples"; or, as the Arabic version renders it, "robbers of the vessels of the temple", sacrilegious persons; they have not stolen anything out of the temple of Diana, nor any other:

nor yet blasphemers of your goddess; they have not made mention of her name, much less said anything against her, at least this officer did not know that they had; and if he had, he did not stick to tell an officious lie to screen them, as did the Egyptian midwives in favour of the Hebrew women.

Gill: Act 19:38 - Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him // have a matter against any man // the law is open // and there are deputies // let them implead one another

Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him,.... Who were the ringleaders and encouragers of this tumult:

have a matter against any man; any accusation, or charge, any crime to accuse him of, and charge him with:

the law is open; or court days are kept; there are certain times fixed for the hearing and trying of causes, where and when such an affair should be regularly brought; and not use such disorderly methods, and throw a city into confusion, and break the peace as these men had done: the Syriac version renders it, "they are artificers"; that is, Demetrius and the craftsmen with him; they are tradesmen, and it does not belong to them, nor should they take upon themselves to judge and determine what is right or wrong:

and there are deputies; or "proconsuls"; the proconsul and his deputy, to whom such matters appertain, and who are judges in such cases, and to whom application should be made, and before whom such cases should be brought, and heard, and tried: the Syriac version reads in the singular number, "and there is a proconsul in the city"; a Roman governor and judge, whose province it is to determine such matters:

let them implead one another; let the plaintiff bring his accusation, and charge, and let the others defend themselves, and let things proceed in a due course of law, and so issue.

Gill: Act 19:39 - But if ye inquire anything concerning other matters // it shall be determined in a lawful assembly

But if ye inquire anything concerning other matters,.... Than what belongs to the craft and business of Demetrius, and the artificers:

it shall be determined in a lawful assembly; that is, called together according to law, and who have a right to hear, try, and judge causes, which such a confused lawless assembly as this in the theatre had not.

Gill: Act 19:40 - For we are in danger of being called in question // there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse

For we are in danger of being called in question,.... Or are liable to be called to an account, reproved, and punished by the Roman proconsul, appointed over this city, or by the Roman emperor, or the Roman senate: for this day's uproar; it being capable of being interpreted as a riot, tumult, and sedition:

there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse: or no reason can be assigned, why such a number of people should gather together; none can be given that will justify it, or that can be alleged in favour of it.

Gill: Act 19:41 - And when he had thus spoken // he dismissed the assembly

And when he had thus spoken,.... Or delivered this oration, made use of the above arguments, reasonings, and expostulations:

he dismissed the assembly; he ordered them to break up, and every one to return home in peace, and go about his own business; and thus Paul, and his companions, were delivered from an imminent danger they were exposed to.