Tyndale Open Study NotesActs 19

This section describes Paul's third mission journey, which happened around AD 53 to 57. Paul visited Galatia and Phrygia again to build stronger relationships with the disciples (18:23). He then traveled to Ephesus, where he stayed for more than two years (19:1, 8–10).

• Paul traveled to Ephesus after Apollos had left. Later, Apollos returned to Ephesus while Paul was still there (1 Corinthians 16:12). The two men had different personalities, gifts, and roles, but God worked through both of them.

• Some Christians in Ephesus did not fully understand the Christian faith (Acts 18:26). They did not receive the Holy Spirit when they believed the good news about Jesus. They had accepted John's baptism, which called for repentance from sin, but had not received Christian baptism, which included the gift of the Holy Spirit. When Paul had instructed them further, they were able to receive Christian baptism and the Holy Spirit (19:5, 6).

When Paul laid his hands on them, they received the Holy Spirit. They spoke in other tongues (languages given by the Spirit) and prophesied (spoke messages from God). In this way, they experienced the same filling with God’s power and presence that the disciples received on the day of Pentecost (2:4, 11).

Paul probably wrote 1 Corinthians during this time (see 1 Corinthians Book Introduction, “Date and Occasion of Writing”).

• Paul, like other Christian messengers who preached the good news, performed unusual miracles (3:1–11; 4:22; 5:12–16; 6:8; 8:6–7, 13; 9:33–42).

• evil spirits left them: Evil spirits were driven out, just as Jesus and Peter had done before (compare 5:16; Mark 1:21–34; Luke 4:31–37).

Paul’s ministry was effective, but the traveling Jewish exorcists (people who try to drive out evil spirits) had no real power. They used the name of Jesus as if it were a magic word. However, they did not have a personal relationship with him or the indwelling Holy Spirit (God’s Spirit living in believers).

This contrast shows the difference between true faith and empty practice (compare Matthew 12:27; Mark 9:38–39; Luke 9:49–50; 11:19).

The people of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, noticed the difference between Paul and the Jewish exorcists. This realization caused them to honor and respect the name of the Lord Jesus. Many people confessed and gave up their sinful practices, including magic.

Luke’s summary of the success of the gospel in Ephesus is short but powerful (compare 2:43–47; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; and Romans 1:16). When the Christian faith overcame problems inside the church, such as division, idolatry (worship of false gods), and pagan practices (religious customs not centered on the true God), it spread widely and grew quickly.

• Paul resolved in the Spirit: He was probably troubled by what he heard about Corinth (see 1 Corinthians Book Introduction). Instead of going right away, he sent Timothy. Timothy carried a letter, 1 Corinthians, from Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10–11). Paul later traveled to Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 20:1–3).

• “I must see Rome as well”: Paul, perhaps inspired by his successful strategy, wanted to share the gospel in the world's most important city (see study note on 16:8).

The main god worshiped in Ephesus was the Greek goddess Artemis. People believed she was born there, so the city of Ephesus was known as the guardian of her temple.

Each year, the people held large festivals in her honor. These included sports, music, and theater. During these events, people would shout, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

The temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

As more people became Christians, the worship of Artemis began to decline. This also affected the local economy, since many people earned money from her temple. However, it became clear that Paul and his coworkers had not committed any crime.

the Way: See study note on 9:2.

Demetrius, a silversmith whose business was harmed by Paul’s message about one God, stirred up a large riot against him.

People in Ephesus made silver coins and small shrines with the image of Artemis. Small statues of the goddess were carried in city processions and are still sold there today.

the whole world: The ancient geographer Strabo reports that temples dedicated to Artemis existed in cities from Asia Minor (now Turkey) to what is now France and Spain (Strabo, Geography 3.4.8; 4.1.4).

Archaeologists have uncovered the amphitheater where the whole city gathered. It could hold about 24,000 people.

officials of the province of Asia: These officials, called Asiarchs ("rulers of Asia"), were the appointed leaders in the Roman province of Asia. They served as financial supporters of the city and often supported the worship of the emperor. Some of these high-ranking officials were friends of Paul. Luke shows that the Christian faith also attracted people of high social status.

The 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.

The tradition said that the image (statue) of Artemis had fallen from heaven. This may mean that it was made from a meteor (a rock that falls to earth from space).