Luke the beloved physician wrote how Demetrius, a silversmith, caused “no small stir” saying that “Paul has persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 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 worships. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theater. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theater. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense unto the people. 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 in chapter nineteen and verse thirty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared about what happened, “when the town clerk had appeased the people” where we read:
And when the town clerk had appeased the people, he said, You men of Ephesus, what man is there that knows not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
The verse begins, “And when the town clerk had appeased the people, he said, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when the town clerk” which means “and at the time and moment the scribe, public servant, secretary, recorder or mayor within Ephesus” “had appeased the people” or “put down, lowered, restrained, appeased and quieted the crowd of people who were gathered”, “he said” which means “the town clerk uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Luke shared how the “town clerk” or “mayor” of the city of Ephesus quieted the people in the crowd and said the following words.
The verse continues, “... You men of Ephesus, what man is there that knows not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great goddess Diana, ...” Luke added the words, “you men of Ephesus” which means “you, people both male and female, belonging to the city of Ephesus”, “what man is there” or “what person whether male or female exists” “that knows not how” which means “who does not understand, perceive or understand” “that the city of the Ephesians” or “that the dwelling place, habitation and abode belonging to the people in Ephesus” “is a worshiper” which means “exists as the one who sweeps and cleans the temple” “of the great goddess Diana” or “belonging to the eminent and highly esteemed and important female deity Diana whose name means complete light or flow restrained and was the so called Tauric or Persian or Ephesian Artemis, the goddess of many Asiatic people, to be distinguished from the Artemis of the Greeks and the sister of Apollo”. Luke shared how the “town clerk” reminded the people who were assembled that there was no person among them who was not aware that “Ephesus” gave adoration and homage to the female deity “Diana”.
Finally the verse says, “... and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?” Luke concluded this verse with the words, “and of the image” which means “and pertaining to the likeness, resemblance and idol” “which fell down” or “that descended and came down” “from Jupiter” which means “apart and separate from Jupiter which refers to Zeus who was the supposed father of the gods”? Luke shared how the town clerk also reminded the people who assembled how “Zeus” or “Jupiter”, the father of the gods, was the one who sent “Diana” or “Artemis” from heaven to them.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “town clerk” or “mayor” of the city of Ephesus made an appeal to the people who were assembled after he quieted them. He referred to the history of “Ephesus” being known for their worship of “Diana”, and how they all knew “Jupiter” sent her down to them. This, of course, was the people in Ephesus' understanding about the existence of “Diana” among them, and because their tradition and culture was to “worship” her, they should respond accordingly. God knows people have idols and objects of worship in their lives, and anything a person devotes their time, money, efforts and energies to become as “gods” in their lives. Jesus came to die for the sins of the world, and in doing so, He means to turn people from their “idols” to worship the true and living “God”. (See 1 Thessalonians 1:9) Let all who carefully consider the worship practices of the “Ephesians” realize the effort of “Paul” and Jesus Himself to turn them from worshiping temporal and vain things to worshiping the true and living God.
Next time Luke shares how the town clerk says, “you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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