Acts 19:35

33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

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?

36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Finally the city clerk quieted the crowd and declared, “Men of Ephesus, doesn’t everyone know that the city of Ephesus is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?
KJV
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?
WEB
When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, “You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?
ASV
And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter?
DARBY
And the townclerk, having quieted the crowd, said, Ephesians, what man is there then who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of Artemis the great, and of the [image] which fell down from heaven?
BLB
And having calmed the crowd, the town clerk says, “Men, Ephesians, what man is there indeed who does not know the city of the Ephesians as being temple-keeper of the great Artemis and of that fallen from the sky?
ÅB
Men by-skriveren fikk hopen til å være rolig, og sa deretter: Dere menn fra Efesus! Hvilket menneske er det vel som ikke vet at efesernes by er tempelvokter for den store Diana og hennes himmelfalne bilde?
OTB
Byens skriver roet mengden og sa: «Menn av Efesos, hvem vet ikke at byen Efesos er vokteren av tempelet til den store Artemis og av hennes bilde som falt fra himmelen?
B1930
Men by-skriveren fikk hopen til å være rolig, og sa derefter: I menn fra Efesus! Hvilket menneske er det vel som ikke vet at efesernes by er tempelvokter for den store Diana og hennes himmelfalne billede?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:10–11

    And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

    Read in context
  • 1 Timothy 4:2

    Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

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  • Ephesians 2:12

    That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

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  • Acts 14:12–13

    And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

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  • Acts 18:19

    And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

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  • Acts 19:26

    Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

    Read in context