Acts 19:31

Verse

Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.

American Standard Version (1901)

And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.

Bible in Basic English

And some of the rulers of Asia, being his friends, sent to him, requesting him seriously not to put himself in danger by going into the theatre.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And some also of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring that he would not venture himself into the theatre.

Free Bible Version

Some of the provincial officials, who were Paul's friends, also sent a message begging him not to go into the amphitheatre.

Geneva Bible 1599

Certaine also of the chiefe of Asia which were his friendes, sent vnto him, desiring him that hee woulde not present him selfe in the Common place.

King James (Authorized) Version

And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

Plain English Version

There were some government officials of that country that were friends with Paul. They heard that those people went wild, so they sent him a message to tell him strongly, “Don’t go to that sports oval. That mob are too wild. They might kill you.”

Translation for Translators

Also, some government officials of that province who were friends of Paul heard what was happening. So they sent someone to tell him urgently not to go into the stadium.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Also, some of the officials of the province of Asia who were his friends sent him a message strongly requesting him not to enter the theater.

Noah Webster Bible

And certain of the chief of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theater.

World English Bible

Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.

Young's Literal Translation

and certain also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, having sent unto him, were entreating him not to venture himself into the theatre.

Context

The Riot in Ephesus

³⁰Paul wanted to go before the assembly, but the disciples would not allow him. ³¹Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.

Summary

In Acts 19:31, a tense situation arises in Ephesus as some of the city officials and supporters of the goddess Artemis confront Paul's companions. The verse highlights the chaos and confusion that ensued, with conflicting opinions and motivations among the crowd. This incident underscores the opposition faced by early Christians in spreading the Gospel, as well as the need for wisdom and discernment in navigating challenging circumstances. Ultimately, it showcases the power of God to protect His servants and fulfill His purposes amidst opposition and turmoil.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Certain of the chief of Asia - Τινες των Ασιαρχων; Some of the Asiarchs. The Asiarchs were those to whom the care and regulation of the public games were intrusted: they were a sort of high priests, and were always persons of considerable riches and influence. These could not have been Christians; but they were what the sacred text states them to have been, αυτῳ φιλοι, his friends; and foreseeing that Paul would be exposed to great danger if he went into the theater, amidst such a tumultuous assembly, they sent a message to him, entreating him not to go into danger so apparent. Query: Did he not go, and fight with these wild beasts at Ephesus? Co1 15:32.

John Gill Bible Commentary

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 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). (a) Alex. ab Alex. l. 2. c. 8. (b) Scholiast. Aristoph ad Nubes, p. 125. col. 2. (c) Nat. Hist. l. 16. c. 40. (d) Legatis pro Christianis, p. 17.

Acts 19:31

The Riot in Ephesus

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.

American Standard Version (1901)

And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.

Bible in Basic English

And some of the rulers of Asia, being his friends, sent to him, requesting him seriously not to put himself in danger by going into the theatre.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And some also of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring that he would not venture himself into the theatre.

Free Bible Version

Some of the provincial officials, who were Paul's friends, also sent a message begging him not to go into the amphitheatre.

Geneva Bible 1599

Certaine also of the chiefe of Asia which were his friendes, sent vnto him, desiring him that hee woulde not present him selfe in the Common place.

King James (Authorized) Version

And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

Plain English Version

Translation for Translators

Also, some government officials of that province who were friends of Paul heard what was happening. So they sent someone to tell him urgently not to go into the stadium.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Also, some of the officials of the province of Asia who were his friends sent him a message strongly requesting him not to enter the theater.

Noah Webster Bible

And certain of the chief of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theater.

World English Bible

Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.

Young's Literal Translation

and certain also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, having sent unto him, were entreating him not to venture himself into the theatre.

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Acts 19:31

Verse

Context

The Riot in Ephesus

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Acts 19:31

The Riot in Ephesus

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes