Acts 19:40

38 So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there.

39 But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it must be settled in a legal assembly.

For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”

41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

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
For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”
KJV
For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
WEB
For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.”
ASV
For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day`s riot, there being no cause [for it]: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.
DARBY
For also we are in danger to be put in accusation for sedition for this [affair] of to-day, no cause existing in reference to which we shall be able to give a reason for this concourse.
BLB
And indeed, we are in danger of being accused of insurrection concerning this day, there existing not one cause concerning which we will be able to give a reason concerning this commotion.”
ÅB
For vi står endog i fare for å komme under tiltale som opprørere for denne dags skyld, da det ikke er noen grunn som vi kan svare med for dette oppløp.
OTB
For vi er i fare for å bli anklaget for opprør på grunn av dagens hendelser, da det ikke finnes noen begrunnelse for denne oppstandelsen, og vi ville ikke være i stand til å redegjøre for denne uordnede samlingen.»
B1930
For vi står endog i fare for å komme under tiltale som oprørere for denne dags skyld, da det ikke er nogen grunn som vi kan svare med for dette opløp. [DNB30: 41] Ved å tale så fikk han forsamlingen til å gå sin vei.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Acts 17:5–8

    The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 26:5

    “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 1:41

    Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab.

    Read in context
  • Acts 20:1

    When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.

    Read in context
  • Acts 21:31

    While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil.

    Read in context
  • Acts 21:38

    “Aren’t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the ‘Assassins’ into the wilderness?”

    Read in context