19 and he came down to Ephesus, and did leave them there, and he himself having entered into the synagogue did reason with the Jews: 20 and they having requested 'him' to remain a longer time with them, he did not consent, 21 but took leave of them, saying, 'It behoveth me by all means the coming feast to keep at Jerusalem, and again I will return unto you—God willing.' And he sailed from Ephesus,

Paul Returns to Antioch and Begins the Third Missionary Journey

22 and having come down to Cesarea, having gone up, and having saluted the assembly, he went down to Antioch. 23 And having made some stay he went forth, going through in order the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

Apollos Preaches at Ephesus

24 And a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by birth, a man of eloquence, being mighty in the Writings, came to Ephesus, 25 this one was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in the Spirit, was speaking and teaching exactly the things about the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John; 26 this one also began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and Aquilas and Priscilla having heard of him, took him to 'them', and did more exactly expound to him the way of God, 27 and he being minded to go through into Achaia, the brethren wrote to the disciples, having exhorted them to receive him, who having come, did help them much who have believed through the grace, 28 for powerfully the Jews he was refuting publicly, shewing through the Writings Jesus to be the Christ.

Paul at Ephesus

191 And it came to pass, in Apollos' being in Corinth, Paul having gone through the upper parts, came to Ephesus, and having found certain disciples, 2 he said unto them, 'The Holy Spirit did ye receive—having believed?' and they said unto him, 'But we did not even hear whether there is any Holy Spirit;' 3 and he said unto them, 'To what, then, were ye baptized?' and they said, 'To John's baptism.' 4 And Paul said, 'John, indeed, did baptize with a baptism of reformation, saying to the people that in him who is coming after him they should believe—that is, in the Christ—Jesus;' 5 and they, having heard, were baptized—to the name of the Lord Jesus, 6 and Paul having laid on them 'his' hands, the Holy Spirit came upon them, they were speaking also with tongues, and prophesying, 7 and all the men were, as it were, twelve.

8 And having gone into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading the things concerning the reign of God, 9 and when certain were hardened and were disbelieving, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, having departed from them, he did separate the disciples, every day reasoning in the school of a certain Tyrannus. 10 And this happened for two years so that all those dwelling in Asia did hear the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks, 11 mighty works also—not common—was God working through the hands of Paul, 12 so that even unto the ailing were brought from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the sicknesses departed from them; the evil spirits also went forth from them.

13 And certain of the wandering exorcist Jews, took upon 'them' to name over those having the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, 'We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul doth preach;' 14 and there were certain—seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest—who are doing this thing; 15 and the evil spirit, answering, said, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with; and ye—who are ye?' 16 And the man, in whom was the evil spirit, leaping upon them, and having overcome them, prevailed against them, so that naked and wounded they did flee out of that house, 17 and this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who are dwelling at Ephesus, and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified, 18 many also of those who did believe were coming, confessing and declaring their acts, 19 and many of those who had practised the curious arts, having brought the books together, were burning 'them' before all; and they reckoned together the prices of them, and found 'it' five myriads of silverlings; 20 so powerfully was the word of God increasing and prevailing.

21 And when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in the Spirit, having gone through Macedonia and Achaia, to go on to Jerusalem, saying—'After my being there, it behoveth me also to see Rome;' 22 and having sent to Macedonia two of those ministering to him—Timotheus and Erastus—he himself stayed a time in Asia.

The Riot at Ephesus

23 And there came, at that time, not a little stir about the way, 24 for a certain one, Demetrius by name, a worker in silver, making silver sanctuaries of Artemis, was bringing to the artificers gain not a little, 25 whom, having brought in a crowd together, and those who did work about such things, he said, 'Men, ye know that by this work we have our wealth; 26 and ye see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but almost in all Asia, this Paul, having persuaded, did turn away a great multitude, saying, that they are not gods who are made by hands; 27 and not only is this department in danger for us of coming into disregard, but also, that of the great goddess Artemis the temple is to be reckoned for nothing, and also her greatness is about to be brought down, whom all Asia and the world doth worship.' 28 And they having heard, and having become full of wrath, were crying out, saying, 'Great 'is' the Artemis of the Ephesians!' 29 and the whole city was filled with confusion, they rushed also with one accord into the theatre, having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's fellow-travellers. 30 And on Paul's purposing to enter in unto the populace, the disciples were not suffering him, 31 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. 32 Some indeed, therefore, were calling out one thing, and some another, for the assembly was confused, and the greater part did not know for what they were come together; 33 and out of the multitude they put forward Alexander—the Jews thrusting him forward—and Alexander having beckoned with the hand, wished to make defence to the populace, 34 and having known that he is a Jew, one voice came out of all, for about two hours, crying, 'Great 'is' the Artemis of the Ephesians!' 35 And the public clerk having quieted the multitude, saith, 'Men, Ephesians, why, who is the man that doth not know that the city of the Ephesians is a devotee of the great goddess Artemis, and of that which fell down from Zeus? 36 these things, then, not being to be gainsaid, it is necessary for you to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37 'For ye brought these men, who are neither temple-robbers nor speaking evil of your goddess; 38 if indeed, therefore, Demetrius and the artificers with him with any one have a matter, court 'days' are held, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. 39 'And if ye seek after anything concerning other matters, in the legal assembly it shall be determined; 40 for we are also in peril of being accused of insurrection in regard to this day, there being no occasion by which we shall be able to give an account of this concourse;' 41 and these things having said, he dismissed the assembly.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 1:0

Complete     Concise

Chapter Contents

Proofs of Christ's resurrection. (1-5) Christ's ascension. (6-11) The apostles unite in prayer. (12-14) Matthias chosen in the place of Judas. (15-26)

Commentary on Acts 1:1-5

(Read Acts 1:1-5)

Our Lord told the disciples the work they were to do. The apostles met together at Jerusalem; Christ having ordered them not to depart thence, but to wait for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. This would be a baptism by the Holy Ghost, giving them power to work miracles, and enlightening and sanctifying their souls. This confirms the Divine promise, and encourages us to depend upon it, that we have heard it from Christ; for in Him all the promises of God are yea and amen.

Commentary on Acts 1:6-11

(Read Acts 1:6-11)

They were earnest in asking about that which their Master never had directed or encouraged them to seek. Our Lord knew that his ascension and the teaching of the Holy Spirit would soon end these expectations, and therefore only gave them a rebuke; but it is a caution to his church in all ages, to take heed of a desire of forbidden knowledge. He had given his disciples instructions for the discharge of their duty, both before his death and since his resurrection, and this knowledge is enough for a Christian. It is enough that He has engaged to give believers strength equal to their trials and services; that under the influence of the Holy Spirit they may, in one way or other, be witnesses for Christ on earth, while in heaven he manages their concerns with perfect wisdom, truth, and love. When we stand gazing and trifling, the thoughts of our Master's second coming should quicken and awaken us: when we stand gazing and trembling, they should comfort and encourage us. May our expectation of it be stedfast and joyful, giving diligence to be found of him blameless.

Commentary on Acts 1:12-14

(Read Acts 1:12-14)

God can find hiding-places for his people. They made supplication. All God's people are praying people. It was now a time of trouble and danger with the disciples of Christ; but if any is afflicted, let him pray; that will silence cares and fears. They had now a great work to do, and before they entered upon it, they were earnest in prayer to God for his presence. They were waiting for the descent of the Spirit, and abounded in prayer. Those are in the best frame to receive spiritual blessings, who are in a praying frame. Christ had promised shortly to send the Holy Ghost; that promise was not to do away prayer, but to quicken and encourage it. A little company united in love, exemplary in their conduct, fervent in prayer, and wisely zealous to promote the cause of Christ, are likely to increase rapidly.

Commentary on Acts 1:15-26

(Read Acts 1:15-26)

The great thing the apostles were to attest to the world, was, Christ's resurrection; for that was the great proof of his being the Messiah, and the foundation of our hope in him. The apostles were ordained, not to wordly dignity and dominion, but to preach Christ, and the power of his resurrection. An appeal was made to God; "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men," which we do not; and better than they know their own. It is fit that God should choose his own servants; and so far as he, by the disposals of his providence, or the gifts of his Spirit, shows whom he was chosen, or what he has chosen for us, we ought to fall in with his will. Let us own his hand in the determining everything which befalls us, especially in those by which any trust may be committed to us.