Today's reading closes the story of the riot at Ephesus. We read how the crowd dragged some of Paul's associates before the court on the charge of disrespecting the goddess Artemis. Some were motivated by financial concern, others by religious concern, and some by prejudice against Jews. In this episode the town clerk tries to calm the crowd, warning them that their behavior is going to lead to trouble.
God bless,
Sam
Acts
19:35-41
35But when the
town clerk had quietened the crowd, he said, ‘Citizens of Ephesus, who is there
that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple-keeper of the
great Artemis and of the statue that fell from heaven? 36Since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be
quiet and do nothing rash. 37You have brought these men here who are
neither temple-robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38If therefore Demetrius and the artisans
with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls;
let them bring charges there against one another. 39If there is
anything further you want to
know, it must be settled in the regular assembly. 40For we are in
danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can
give to justify this commotion.’ 41When he had said this, he
dismissed the assembly.
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