21 Now after these things were finished , Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia , saying , "After I have been there , I must also see Rome ." 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus , he himself stayed in Asia for a while .
23 About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way . 24 For a man named Demetrius , a silversmith , who made silver shrines of Artemis , was bringing no little business to the craftsmen ; 25 these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said , "Men , you know that our prosperity depends e upon this business . 26 "You see and hear that not only in Ephesus , but in almost all of Asia , this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people , saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27 "Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute , but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence ." 28 When they heard this and were filled with rage , they began crying out, saying , "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians !" 29 The city was filled with the confusion , and they rushed with one accord into the theater , dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus , Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia . 30 And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly , the disciples would not let him. 31 Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture e into the theater .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 19:21-31
Commentary on Acts 19:21-31
(Read Acts 19:21-31)
Persons who came from afar to pay their devotions at the temple of Ephesus, bought little silver shrines, or models of the temple, to carry home with them. See how craftsmen make advantage to themselves of people's superstition, and serve their worldly ends by it. Men are jealous for that by which they get their wealth; and many set themselves against the gospel of Christ, because it calls men from all unlawful crafts, however much wealth is to be gotten by them. There are persons who will stickle for what is most grossly absurd, unreasonable, and false; as this, that those are gods which are made with hands, if it has but worldly interest on its side. The whole city was full of confusion, the common and natural effect of zeal for false religion. Zeal for the honour of Christ, and love to the brethren, encourage zealous believers to venture into danger. Friends will often be raised up among those who are strangers to true religion, but have observed the honest and consistent behaviour of Christians.