ACC ~ Acts 19 v30 - 41

OVERVIEW:

Alexander the Jew and Paul, the Jew who is a Christian, might reasonably be expected to oppose idolatry. Neither ancients nor moderns attempt to explain how the Asiarchs became friends of Paul or why the city clerk can declare that Paul and his companions “are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.” It is interesting to observe that by this speech the Way is given droits de cité in a city of the empire. The Fathers do not comment much on this incident, with the exception of three different texts of Chrysostom that draw different moral lessons from Luke’s narrative: The faithful act with restraint. Do nothing without orderly consideration. Do not make religion a pretext for greed.

19:31 | Believers Beg Paul Not to Go into the Theater

THE FAITHFUL SOUGHT RESTRAINT. CHRYSOSTOM: “They urged him not to hand himself over” to the disorderly mob and the violence in the theatre, and Paul was persuaded, since he was neither vainglorious nor ostentatious. … Knowing his eagerness, they begged him, since all these faithful loved him so much. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 19.30-31.

19:32 | The Crowd in Confusion

ONE OUGHT DO NOTHING WITHOUT STRICT EXAMINATION. CHRYSOSTOM: Such is the way with the vulgar, to jump to conclusions and become enraged on any pretext. That is why one must do everything after careful consideration. But see how contemptible they are, how exposed to all excitements. … “Some cried one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion.” For such is the behavior of a crowd. It simply follows, as when fire alights on wood. “And most of them did not know why they had come together.” HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 42.

19:35 | The Temple Keeper of Artemis

THEIR RELIGION A PRETEXT FOR GREED. CHRYSOSTOM: Rightly does the grammarian say, “Who is ignorant of the city of the Ephesians?” … He does not say “Who does not know Artemis?” but “Who does not know your city?” which is what they were worshiping: … they were trying to make their faith a pretext for making money. CATENA ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 19.35.