RSV ~ Acts 19 Notes
Acts 19:1 | ISB Notes
Ephesus: The most distinguished city in the Roman province of Asia (southwest Turkey). As a cultural, commercial, and religious center, it drew tourists and entrepreneurs from all over the Mediterranean, and by NT times it was hailed the fourth largest city in the Roman Empire.
Ephesus was also the guardian of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the temple of Artemis (19:24).
Acts 19:2 | ISB Notes
never even heard: Only fragments of the gospel reached Ephesus before Paul’s arrival. This small band of disciples knew only the baptism of John and nothing of sacramental Baptism or the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 19:6 | ISB Notes
laid his hands: For the distinction between this gesture and Baptism, See note on Acts 8:16.
Acts 19:9 | ISB Notes
the Way: A code name for the early Christian movement. See note on Acts 9:2.
the hall of Tyrannus: An educational facility or lecture hall for addressing large numbers.
Acts 19:10 | ISB Notes
two years: Paul’s longest missionary stop in Acts. Adding the previous “three months” of preaching in the synagogue (19:8), his work in Ephesus extended just beyond the years A.D. 53 to 55 toward a third year (20:31). He wrote 1 Corinthians at some point during his stay (1 Cor 16:8).
all the residents of Asia: Prolonged evangelization led eventually to the founding of Churches in numerous Asian cities during NT times, such as Collosae, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, and Philadelphia (Col 1:2; 4:13; Rev 1:11).
Acts 19:11 | ISB Notes
extraordinary miracles: Divine power flowed so powerfully through Paul that even his work clothes were used to drive away demons and diseases. He wore the “handkerchiefs” around his head, and the “aprons” he tied around his waist (19:12).
• According to Catholic tradition, the bodies of the saints and even their belongings can occasion great miracles in the presence of faith. This perspective on the efficacy of holy relics is corroborated by other biblical passages (2 Kings 13:21; Mt 14:36; Mk 5:27-30). See note on Acts 5:15.
Acts 19:13 | ISB Notes
Jewish exorcists: The profession was recognized in Judaism, sometimes in connection with the power over spirits given to Solomon, the son of David (Wis 7:20; Mt 12:22-27).
Acts 19:14 | ISB Notes
Sceva: Otherwise unknown. His sons were overpowered by the demon (19:16) because they made unauthorized use of a Christian exorcistic formula, i.e., they wielded the name of Jesus without faith in him or a commitment to his teaching.
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Acts 19:19 | ISB Notes
burned them: The Ephesian believers threw their magical and superstitious books onto a bonfire as a public act of renunciation. pieces of silver: With each coin equivalent to a single day’s wage, the value of the library was worth 50,000 days’ earnings.
Acts 19:21 | ISB Notes
I must also see Rome: Paul is magnetically drawn to the imperial capital in Italy (23:11), finally arriving there at the climax of Acts (28:14-31).
Acts 19:23 | ISB Notes
the Way: A code name for the early Christian movement. See note on Acts 9:2.
Acts 19:23-41 | ISB Notes
The riot at Ephesus shows how the good news of the gospel was bad news for the idols and idol manufacturers of antiquity. Here Demetrius and a guild of tradesmen turn the city against missionaries whose promotion of one God dishonored the cult of Artemis and led to a sharp decline in the sale of miniature Artemis statues. The impression comes through that Demetrius was zealous not only to preserve the honor of the goddess (19:27), but even more so to protect his source of income (19:25). See note on Acts 14:15.
Acts 19:24 | ISB Notes
Artemis: A goddess and huntress of Greek mythology whose cult was widely followed throughout the Roman world (19:27). In Ephesus, which was the center of Artemis worship and the home of her magnificent temple, she was closely associated with the ancient mother goddess of Asia Minor and was revered as a patroness of fertility. Figurines unearthed in recent times depic
t her as a woman with multiple breasts.
Acts 19:29 | ISB Notes
the theater: Archeologists estimate that the Ephesian amphitheater seated nearly 25,000 people. Gaius: Possibly mentioned in Rom 16:23, but this is uncertain. Aristarchus: Accompanied Paul on his trips to Jerusalem (20:4) and Rome (27:2). He apparently stayed with the apostle during his first Roman detainment (Col 4:10; Philem 24).
Acts 19:33 | ISB Notes
Alexander: He hoped to disclaim Jewish responsibility for the grievances of Demetrius. Once identified as a Jew, however, he was drowned out with two hours of shouting by the clamorous mob (19:34). It was no secret among pagans that Judaism was just as intolerant
of idolatry as Christianity.
Acts 19:35 | ISB Notes
town clerk: The city secretary of Ephesus and the local
official who mediated public relations with Rome. temple keeper: An official title given to cities that hosted shrines associated with the Roman imperial cult. the sacred stone: A meteorite in the Artemis temple thought to resemble the goddess.
Acts 19:40 | ISB Notes
charged with rioting: The mob was on the brink of disturbing the Pax Romana (Lat. “Roman Peace”). To preserve this worldwide stability and social order, Roman authorities were known to stamp out civil upheavals with swift and violent measures.