And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
ACTS 19:35KJVWhat does Acts 19:35 mean?
Acts 19:35 describes how the town clerk of Ephesus calmed an angry crowd by reminding them that everyone knows Ephesus is famous for worshipping the goddess Diana and for possessing a sacred image said to have fallen from Jupiter. The official appeals to the city's well-known religious status to restore order and reason with the people.
The speaker here is the "townclerk," a leading civic official in Ephesus, addressing a crowd stirred up over concerns about the Christian message undermining their traditional worship. By emphasizing the city's established reputation as devoted to Diana (the Greek goddess Artemis) and the legendary origin of her image, the official tries to defuse the mob's fears and prevent rash actions.
The Greek behind Acts 19:35
- "townclerk" (γραμματεύς, grammateus): This word refers to a high-ranking city official, not just a secretary, showing the authority behind the speech.
- "worshipper" (νεωκόρος, neōkoros): This term means "temple-keeper" or "guardian of the temple," highlighting Ephesus's pride in being the official caretaker of Diana's temple, not just casual worshippers.
- "Diana" (Ἄρτεμις, Artemis): The Greek name is Artemis, but the KJV uses the Roman name Diana. This shows the blending of Greek and Roman religious ideas in the city.
- "Jupiter" (Διός, Dios): This is the Greek name for Zeus, but the KJV uses the Roman name Jupiter. The phrase refers to the belief that the idol had a divine, heavenly origin, making it especially sacred.
Why Acts 19:35 matters
- This verse helps clarify the civic and religious pride of Ephesus, showing why the crowd reacted so strongly to perceived threats against their goddess.
- The town clerk's speech reveals how deeply the worship of Artemis/Diana was woven into the city's identity, both culturally and economically.
- Understanding this context explains the tension between early Christians and the established religious order, and why the authorities tried to keep the peace by appealing to shared beliefs rather than force.