Bible dictionaries

Demetrius

What Bible dictionaries say about “Demetrius”, one article after the other.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary & Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Demetrius - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

(1.) A silversmith at Ephesus, whose chief occupation was to make "silver shrines for Diana" (q.v.), Acts 19:24,i.e., models either of the temple of Diana or of the statue of the goddess. This trade brought to him and his fellow-craftsmen "no small gain," for these shrines found a ready sale among the countless thousands who came to this temple from all parts of Asia Minor. This traffic was greatly endangered by the progress of the gospel, and hence Demetrius excited the tradesmen employed in the manufacture of these shrines, and caused so great a tumult that "the whole city was filled with confusion."

(2.) A Christian who is spoken of as having "a good report of all men, and of the truth itself" (3 John 1:12).

Matthew George Easton, Easton’s Bible Dictionary; Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language (1828)

The article in Easton + Webster 1828

Smith’s Bible Dictionary

(belonging to Ceres).
  1. A maker of silver shrines of Artemis at Ephesus. (Acts 19:24) (about A.D. 52). These were small models of the great temple of the Ephesian Artemis, with her statue, which it was customary to carry on journeys, and place on houses as charms.
  2. A disciple, (3 John 1:12) mentioned with commendation (about A.D. 90). Possibly the first Demetrius,converted; but this is very doubtful.

William Smith; revised by F. N. Peloubet and M. A. Peloubet; CrossWire SWORD module Smith 1.3

The article in Smith