What does Acts 19:35 mean?

Explanation

Acts 19:35 refers to an incident that occurred in the city of Ephesus where a town clerk addressed a crowd that had gathered as a result of a commotion caused by some of Paul's companions.

In the verse, the town clerk is attempting to quell the uproar by appealing to the common knowledge and pride of the Ephesians in their worship of the goddess Diana (also known as Artemis).

He reminds them that Ephesus is recognized as the guardian of the temple of the great goddess Diana, and that they are the custodians of the sacred image which was believed to have fallen down from the sky, a claim that would be associated with their belief in the divine origin of the image.

The clerk's mention of "the image which fell down from Jupiter" implies that the statue of Artemis was not made by human hands but had a heavenly or divine origin, which would make it an object of veneration and substantiate the sanctity of their religious practices.

Historical Context

Ephesus was an important city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its grand temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The silversmiths of Ephesus made a good living by crafting silver shrines of Artemis, which they sold to both local devotees and visiting pilgrims.

The historical context of this verse lies in the conflict that arose between the craftsmen, whose livelihood depended on the worship of Artemis, and the preaching of the Apostle Paul, whose message about Jesus Christ threatened the traditional religious practices and economy of the city.

Theological Insights

Different theological interpretations may arise from this verse.

From a Christian perspective, it suggests the widespread nature of idolatry and the challenge the early church faced in preaching a message of one true God to a polytheistic society.

Some theologians may view the verse as a call to remain steadfast in faith amidst societal pressure, while others may see it as demonstrating the power of civic authority in maintaining peace among diverse religious beliefs.

Practical Applications

The verse can be seen as a reminder to Christians of the importance of understanding cultural contexts and the beliefs of others when sharing their faith.

It also encourages respectful dialogue and peacekeeping, even when beliefs differ.

Modern applications might encourage believers to find common ground and to diffuse potential conflicts with wisdom and tact, much like the townclerk did.

Cross-References

• Acts 19:27 - "So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth."
• Acts 19:28 - "And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians."
• 1 Corinthians 8:4 - "As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one."

Language Study

Key phrases to consider in the original Greek text of this verse:

• "Townclerk" (γραμματεύς, grammateus): a Greek term denoting a city official responsible for keeping public records and often acting as a public spokesperson.
• "Worshipper" (νεωκόρος, neokoros): implies being a guardian or temple warder, stressing the city's role as the keeper of the temple.
• "Diana" (Ἄρτεμις, Artemis): the Greek equivalent of the Roman goddess Diana, known as the goddess of the hunt, nature, childbirth, and chastity.
• "Jupiter" (Διός, Dios): Reflecting the Greek god Zeus, the ruler of the pantheon from whom the object is claimed to have fallen down.

The reference to Jupiter specific is about the Latin name.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This verse and the event it narrates can be compared to other ancient religious practices where objects of worship were often considered to have divine origins.

Culturally, it shows how important religion was to the identity and economy of a city.

It also reflects a broader ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman practice of making divine attributions to certain objects, something that can be found in various myths and religious systems.

Scientific Perspectives

Contemporary scientific understanding would suggest a natural explanation for the claim that an image fell from Jupiter, such as a meteorite.

Such an event could have been interpreted by ancient peoples as a sign of the gods.

Modern scientific scrutiny does not support the concept of idols having divine origin or power.

Commentaries

Biblical commentators have noted the political and social savvy of the town clerk in using shared cultural and religious pride to restore order among the people.

They often point out that this verse is indicative of the complexities the early Christian movement faced within the highly diverse religious landscape of the Roman Empire, and how it navigated these challenges while spreading its message.

Commentators may also highlight how local economies were intertwined with pagan worship practices, showing the multifaceted implications of religious changes at that time.