Acts 19:38

Acts 19:38 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
• New International Version (NIV)If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges.
• English Standard Version (ESV)If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.

Context of Acts 19:38

36No one can deny this. So you have to be quiet and not do anything foolish. 37The men you brought here don’t rob temples or insult our goddess. If Demetrius and the men who work for him have a legal complaint against anyone, we have special days and officials to hold court. That’s where they should bring charges against each other. 39If you want anything else, you must settle the matter in a legal assembly. 40At this moment we run the risk of being accused of rioting today for no reason. We won’t be able to explain this mob.”

Acts 19:38 word by word

εἰ μὲν οὖν Δημήτριος καὶ οἱ σὺν αὐτῷ τεχνῖται ἔχουσι πρός τινα λόγον, ἀγοραῖοι ἄγονται καὶ ἀνθύπατοί εἰσιν· ἐγκαλείτωσαν ἀλλήλοις.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
• DemetriusΔημήτριοςDēmētrios · DemetriusG1216
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• the craftsmenτεχνίτηςtechnitēs · craftsmanG5079
• which areὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• withσύνsun · withG4862
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• a matterλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• againstπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• any manτιςtis · oneG5100
• the lawἀγοραῖοςagoraios · of the marketplaceG60
• is openἄγωagō · to bringG71
• there areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• deputiesἀνθύπατοςanthupatos · proconsulG446
• let them impleadἐγκαλέωegkaleō · to accuseG1458
• one anotherἀλλήλωνallēlōn · one anotherG240

Cross-references for Acts 19:38

• Acts 19:24Demetrius, a silversmith, was in the business of making silver models of the temple of Artemis. His business brought a huge profit for the men who worked for him.
• Acts 18:14Paul was about to answer when Gallio said to the Jews, “If there were some kind of misdemeanor or crime involved, reason would demand that I put up with you Jews.
• Deuteronomy 17:8There may be a case that is too hard for you to decide. It may involve murder, assault, or a dispute—any case which may be brought to court in your cities. Take this case to the place that the Lord your God will choose.
• 1 Corinthians 6:1When one of you has a complaint against another, how dare you go to court to settle the matter in front of wicked people. Why don’t you settle it in front of God’s holy people?

Commentaries on Acts 19:38

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 38If Demetrius - have a matter against any man - If it be any breach of law, in reference to Demetrius and the artists, the law is open, ; these are the terms of law, public courts, times of sessions or assize; or, rather, the judges are mow sitting: so the words may be understood. And there are deputies, , proconsuls, appointed to guard the peace of the state, and to support every honest man in his right: let them implead one another; let the one party…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 38Have a matter against any man - Have a complaint of injury; if injustice has been done them by anyone. The law is open - See the margin. ̓́ Agoraioi ̓́ agontaithat is, ̔́ . There are court-days; days which are open, or appointed for judicial trials, where such matters can be determined in a proper manner. Perhaps the courts were then held, and the matter might be immediately determined. And there are deputies - Roman proconsuls. See the notes on Acts…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 32-41Verses 32-41 The Jews came forward in this tumult. Those who are thus careful to distinguish themselves from the servants of Christ now, and are afraid of being taken for them, shall have their doom accordingly in the great day. One, having authority, at length stilled the noise. It is a very good rule at all times, both in private and public affairs, not to be hasty and rash in our motions, but to take time to consider; and always to keep our passions…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 35-41The city clerk stopped the demonstration to prevent the city from being accused of rioting by the Roman government. This story shows that Christians in the Roman world had the right to a fair legal process.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 35-4135-41. when the town-clerk--keeper of the public archives, and a magistrate of great authority. had appeased--"calmed." the people--"the multitude," which the very presence of such an officer would go far to do. he said ... what man ... knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana--literally, the neocoros or "warden." The word means "temple-sweeper"; then, "temple-guardian." Thirteen cities of Asia had an interest…Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 19:38

• Citizens
• Demetrius
• Deputy
• Mob
• Paul
• Prudence
• Tact

In the dictionaries

• Adjure
• Concourse
• Confused
• Confusion
• Craft
• Curious
• Danger
• Diana
• Fall
• Implead

Commentaries on Acts 19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings