1 And it was, when the Apollos was in the Corinth, Paul passing through the upper part to go into Ephesus, and finding some disciples, 2 he said to them, “Did you receive holy spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “But, we have not even heard if there is a holy spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you immersed?” And they said, “Into John's immersion.” 4 And Paul said, “John indeed immersed an immersion of repentance to the people saying that they should believe in the one who comes after him, that is, in the Christ Joshua.” 5 And hearing, they were immersed in the name of the Lord Joshua. 6 And the Paul, laying the hands upon them, the holy spirit came upon them, and they were speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 And there were about twelve men in all.
8 And coming into the synagogue, he spoke boldly for three months reasoning and persuading about the things of the kingdom of the God. 9 And as some were being hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, departing from them, he separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of a certain Tyrannus. i 10 And this was for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Joshua, both Jews and Greeks.
11 And the God performed unusual power through the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his skin ii upon the sick and delivered them from the disease and the evil spirits went out from them. 13 And some from the itinerant iii Jewish exorcists iv endeavored to call upon those having the evil spirits the name of the Lord Joshua, saying, “We charge v you by the Joshua whom the Paul preaches.” 14 And there were some seven sons of Sceva, vi a Jewish chief priest, who were doing this. vii 15 And the evil spirit answering, said, “The Joshua I know, viii and the Paul I know about. ix But, who are you?” 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaping upon them and subduing them, overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all Jews and Greeks who were dwelling in the Ephesus. And fear fell upon all of them, and the name of the Lord Joshua was magnified.
18 And many who had believed were coming, confessing, and announcing their deeds. 19 And many of those who practiced the magic arts, x bringing together the books, burned them up before all. And they counted up the value of them, and found it fifty thousand of silver. 20 Thus, with might the word of the Lord was growing and strengthening.
21 And as these things were fulfilled, passing through the Macedonia and Achaia, the Paul set in the spirit to go unto Jerusalem, saying that, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 And he sent unto the Macedonia two of those serving him, Timothy and Erastus. xi He himself stayed a time in the Asia. 23 And during that time there was no small commotion concerning the way.
24 For a certain one named Demetrius, xii a silversmith, making silver temples xiii of Artemis, xiv supplied to the craftsmen no small profit, 25 whom, having brought together, and those workers of such things, he said, “Men, you understand that our prosperity is from this business. 26 And you see and hear that not only Ephesus, but nearly all the Asia, this Paul has persuaded, has turned away a considerable crowd, saying that, 'Those made by hands are not Gods.' xv 27 So, not only is this trade of ours in danger of coming into disrepute, but also the temple of the great Goddess xvi Artemis to account for nothing and also her magnificence is about to be pulled down, who the whole Asia and the inhabited world worship!”
28 And hearing and becoming full of wrath, they cried out saying, “Great is the Artemis of Ephesians!” 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion, and with one accord they rushed into the theater seizing Gaius xvii and Aristarchus, xviii Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. 30 And the Paul wanting to go into the populace, the disciples were not allowing him. 31 And also some of the officials of Asia, being his friends, sending to him, pleaded not to give himself into the theater. 32 Some indeed, therefore, were crying out one thing, another something else, for the assembly xix was confused; and the majority did not know for what they had come together. 33 And out of the crowd they drew Alexander, the Jews putting him forward. And the Alexander, motioning with the hand, desired to defend himself to the populace. 34 But, recognizing that he is a Jew, one voice was out of all for about two hours crying out, “Great is the Artemis of Ephesians!”
35 And the scribe xx quieting the crowd says, “Men, Ephesians, what man is there that does not know the city of Ephesus is temple guardian of the great Goddess Artemis and of which fell from Zeus? xxi 36 Therefore, these things being undeniable, it is necessary for you to be quiet and do nothing rash. xxii 37 For you brought these men, who are neither robbers of temples xxiii nor blasphemers xxiv of your God. xxv 38 If indeed therefore, Demetrius, and those craftsmen with him, have a matter against someone, courts are being held, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek something about other things, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being accused of a riot for today, being no cause about which we are able to give a reason for this disorderly gathering.” 41 And saying these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Translated by Darwin Fish. See original pdfs here and here.
- Τυράννου (Turannou) “Tyrannus” - only here. ^
- χρωτὸς (chrôtos) “skin” Green, CSB, CEB, DLNT, etc.; “body” NKJV, KJV, NAS, YLT, etc. - only here. Word for “body” is σῶμα (sôma) e.g. Acts 9:40. ^
- περιερχομένων (periepchomenôn) “itinerant” NKJV; “vagabond” KJV; “who went from place to place” NAS - “itinerant” = “traveling from place to place” MW – this word is also found in Acts 28:13 (“circled round”); 1 Timothy 5:13 (“wandering about”); Hebrews 11:37 (“wandered about”). ^
- ἐξορκιστῶν (exorkistôn) “exorcists” NKJV, etc. - only here. ^
- Ὁρκίζομεν (Horkizomen) “charge” TLV; “ exorcise” NKJV; “adjure” NAS, KJV – see footnote for Mark 5:7. ^
- Σκευᾶ (Skeua) “Sceva” - only here. ^
- ποιοῦντες (poiountes) “were doing this” NAS; “who did so” NKJV – present active participle w/imperfect copula. ^
- γινώσκω (ginôskô) “I know” ^
- ἐπίσταμαι (epistamai) “I know about” NAS, DLNT; “I know” NKJV, KJV; “I am acquainted with” YLT, DARBY, EHV, NOG, NET, etc.. ^
- περίεργα (perierga) plural noun - “magic arts” EHV, ESV; “magical arts” WEB, ASV; “magic” NKJV, NAS, LEB, ICB, EXB, CSB, ERV; “sorcery” CEB; “curious arts” KJV, RGT, YLT, Green, BRG, DARBY, DRA, GNV; “occult arts” KJ21, ISV; “occult practices” CJB; “witchcraft” CEV; “sorceries” DLNT – found also in 1 Timothy 5:13 (“busybodies”). Compound word, preposition περί (peri) “about” + εργα (erga) “works” or “deeds.” ^
- Ἔραστον (Eraston) “Erastus” - found also in Romans 16:23; 2 Timothy 4:20 ^
- Δημήτριος (Dêmêtrios) “Demetrius” - found also in Acts 19:38; 3 John 1:12 ^
- ναοὺς (naous) “temples” DARBY, DRA, GNV; “shrines” NKJV, KJV, NAS – translated elsewhere as temples (e.g. Acts 7:48; 17:24) or temple (e.g. Acts 5:20-21, 24-25). ^
- Ἀρτέμιδος (Artemidos) “Artemis” (Greek name) NAS, Green, YLT; “Diana” (Roman name) NKJV, KJV – found also in Acts 19:27-28, 34-35. ^
- θεοὶ (theoi) “Gods” GNV, RGT; “gods” NKJV, etc. - The speaker is coming from the perspective that they are truly Gods. So, a capital “Gods” fits the context rather than a lower case “gods,” which is usually used for false Gods. See likewise Acts 14:11. See also John 10:34. Paul indeed declared that they are not Gods. See Acts 14:15; 17:24, 29; 1 Corinthians 8:1. ^
- θεᾶς (theas) “Goddess” - NKJV, etc. “goddess” - the speaker speaks from the perspective that she is real. ^
- Γάϊον (Gaion) “Gaius” - found also in Acts 20:4; Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:14; 3 John 1:1. ^
- Ἀρίσταρχον (Aristarchon) “Aristarchus” - found also in Acts 20:4; 27:2; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24. ^
- ἐκκλησία (ekklêsia) “assembly” - This is the same word elsewhere typically translated “church” (e.g. NKJV, etc.) e.g. Matthew 16:18; 18:17; Acts 5:11; etc.. ^
- γραμματεὺς (grammateus) “scribe” WYC; “city clerk” NKJV; “town clerk” NAS; “public clerk” YLT – this is the same word for “scribe” elsewhere in the NT, except here context may indicate some kind of secretary of the area. ^
- Διοπετοῦς (Diopetous) “fell from Zeus” - NKJV, YLT “fell down from Zeus”; KJV “fell down from Jupiter”; NAS “fell down from heaven” - compound word, Διο (Dio) = Zeus (Διὸς) + πετοῦς (petous) = “fell” (from πίπτω). See footnote for Acts 14:12 & 19:36. ^
- προπετὲς (propetes) “rash” NAS, Green; “rashly” NKJV, KJV, YLT – compound word as in verse 35, προ (forward) + πετὲς (fall, from πίπτω) i.e. fall forward. Found also in 2 Timothy 3:4 (“headstrong” NKJV; “reckless” NAS). ^
- ἱεροσύλους (herosulous) “robbers of temples” NKJV, NAS; “robbers of churches” KJV – first part of the word is “temple,” ἱερο (hero) e.g. Acts 19:27. ἱεροσύλους is only found here. ^
- βλασφημοῦντας (Blasphêmountas) “blasphemers” - See Acts 14:15; 17:24, 29; 1 Corinthians 8:1. ^
- θεὸν (theon) MT & CT “God” NLV; θεὰν (thean) RT “goddess” NKJV, KJV, NAS, YLT, Green, etc. ^
And after these things, the Paul departed from the Athens and went to Corinth. -- Κόρινθον (Korinthon) “Corinth” - found also in Acts 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1, 23; 2 Timothy 4:20.
And when Gallio ix was proconsul of the Achaia, x the Jews rose up with one accord against the Paul and led him unto the judgment seat.. -- Ἀχαΐας (Achaias) “Achaia” - found also in Acts 18:27; 19:21; Romans 15:26; 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 9:2; 11:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8.
And he arrived unto Ephesus, and those he left there. And he himself going into the synagogue, he reasoned with the Jews. -- Ἔφεσον (Epheson) “Ephesus” - found also in Acts 18:21, 24; 19:1, 17, 26; 20:16-17; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 16:8; Ephesians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:18; 4:12; Revelation 1:11; 2:1.
And a certain Jew named Apollos, Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, arrived unto Ephesus, was powerful in the writings. -- Ἀπολλὼς (Apollôs) “Apollos” - found also in Acts 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4-6, 22; 4:6; 16:12; Titus 3:13.
And he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there named Timothy, son of a certain Jewish woman of faith, and the father was Greek... -- Τιμόθεος (Timotheos) “Timothy” NKJV, NAS; “Timotheus” KJV, YLT – found also in Acts 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 16:10; 2 Corinthians 1:1, 19; Philippians 1:1; 2:19; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 3:2, 6; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:2, 18; 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:2; Philemon 1:1; Hebrews 13:23.
And the populace was shouting, “Voice of a God and not a man!” -- δῆμος (dêmos) “populace” YLT – NKJV, KJV, NAS “people” - found also only in Acts 17:5; 19:30, 33.
He asked from him letters into Damascus to the synagogues, so that if he found some being of the way, both men and women, he might bring bound into Jerusalem. -- ὁδοῦ (hodou) “way” - common word for way or road. Used like this, see Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:6; Acts 19:9; 22:4; 24:14, 22.
And they heeded him, because for a long time with the magic he amazed them. -- μαγείαις (mageiais) - “magic” - KJV, NKJV “sorceries”; NAS “magic arts” - only found here. The Greek word for “sorcery” is φαρμακεία (pharmakeia) found only in Galatians 5:20; Revelation 9:21; 18:23. There is also the Greek word φάρμακοι (pharmakoi), "sorcerers," found in the NT only in Revelation 22:15 & 21:8. See also “magic,” περίεργα (perierga), in Acts 19:19. For more on “magic” (NKJV), see also Ezekiel 13:17-23 (NKJV “magic charms” ות תו סת כס [kesâtot]); Daniel 2:2, 10 “magician” (LXX μάγον [magon]). See also footnote for Genesis 41:8.
Then they laid the hands upon them and were receiving holy spirit. -- This is not always how the Holy Spirit was given. For example, see John 20:22; Acts 10:44-45. How is the Holy Spirit received? Galatians 3:2 “by the hearing of faith,” and “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). For the Spirit received as here with the laying on of hands, see Acts 9:17; 19:6.
...whom they stood before the apostles. And praying, they laid on them the hands. -- ἐπέθηκαν αὐτοῖς τὰς χεῖρας (epethêkan autois tas cheiras) - “they laid on them the hands” - “and laying on of hands” (Hebrews 6:2 ἐπιθέσεώς τε χειρῶν) is one in the list of “the word of the beginning of the Christ” τὸν τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ χριστοῦ λόγον (ton tês archês tou christou) NKJV “elementary principles of Christ” in Hebrews 6:1-2. Laying on of hands also found e.g. in Eoxous 29:9-10, 15-19; Leviticus 4:13-15; 8:13-22; 16:21; 24:14; Numbers 8:10-12; 27:22-23; Deuteronomy 34:9; 2 Kings 13:16-17; 2 Chronicles 29:23; Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 5:23; 6:5; 10:16; 16:18; Luke 4:40; Acts 9:17; 13:3; 19:6; 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6.
Now after Joshua was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magicians from the East came to Jerusalem.. -- magoi (magoi) - “magicians” - KJV, NKJV “wise men;” NAS, NIV “magi” - This Greek word is found also in verses 7 and 16. It is also in Daniel 1:20; 2:2 (LXX, apparently for the Hebrew word µypiV;a' ['ashâphiym], NKJV “astrologers”); Daniel 2:10, 27; 4:7 (Aramaic 4:4); 5:7, 11, 15 (LXX, apparently for the Aramaic word ÷ypiv]a ['âshphiyn] [singular - ¹v'a; ('âshaph)] NKJV “astrologers”); and in Acts 13:6 and 8 for “sorcerer” (KJV, NKJV, NIV; NAS “magician”). Also noteworthy, Acts 8:9 has the related verb mageuwn (mageuôn, KJV, NKJV, NIV “sorcery;” NAS “magic”) and Acts 8:11 has the related noun mageiaiv (mageiais, KJV, NKJV “sorceries;” NAS “magic arts;” NIV “magic”). Furthermore, Acts 19:19 “magic” (NKJV, NAS; KJV “curious arts”) is a totally different Greek word (perierga, perierga). Context weighs heavily on this word. It is a compound word combining the preposition peri (peri, “about,” “concerning”) with erga (erga, “work,” or “deed”). It is only used one other place in the NT (1 Timothy 5:13, KJV, NKJV, NAS “busybodies”). The Greek word for “sorcery” (NKJV, NAS, farmakeia, pharmakeia - Galatians 5:20 [KJV, NIV “witchcraft]; Revelation 18:23 [NIV “magic spell”]), “sorceries” (KJV, NKJV, NAS, farmakeiwn, pharmakeiôn - Revelation 9:21 [NIV “magic arts”]), and “sorcerers” (KJV, NKJV, NAS; NIV “magic arts”) are different as well. The context of Matthew 2 fits well for a possible translation of “astrologers” or “astronomers.”
The son of the man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners.' And the wisdom was justified from her children." -- filov (philos) - “friend” - found also only in Luke 7:6, 34; 11:5 (2x), 6, 8; 12:4; 14:10, 12; 15:6, 9, 29; 16:9; 21:16; 23:12; John 3:29; 11:11; 15:13-15; 19:12; Acts 10:24; 19:31; 27:3; James 2:23; 4:4; 3 John 15 (2x). See also footnote for Matthew 26:50.
"In that time Joshua answering said, "I confess to you, father, Lord of the heaven and the earth, that you hid these things from wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. -- exomologoumai (exomologoumai) - "confess" - found also in Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:5; Luke 10:21 (NKJV "thank"); 22:6 (NKJV "promised"); Acts 19:18; Romans 14:11; 15:9; Philippians 2:11; James 5:16.
All things were delivered to me by my father, and no one understands the son except the father, nor does any one understand the father except the son and to whom the son wills to reveal. -- epiginwskei (epiyinôskei) - "understands" - used also in Matthew 7:16, 20; 11:27; 14:35; 17:12; Mark 2:8; 5:30; 6:33, 54; Luke 1:4, 22; 5:22; 7:37; 23:7; 24:16, 31; Acts 3:10; 4:13; 9:30; 12:14; 19:34; 22:24, 29; 23:28; 24:8, 11; 25:10; 27:39; 28:1; Romans 1:32; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 14:37; 16:18; 2 Corinthians 1:13-14; 6:9; 13:5; Colossians 1:6; 1 Timothy 4:3; 2 Peter 2:21.
And I say to you that every idle word which men may speak, they will give a word concerning it in the day of judgment. -- logon (logon) - "word" - it is typically translated "account" in this kind of context (e.g. Luke 16:2; Acts 19:40; Romans 14:12; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 3:15 (reason); 4:5.
And I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. -- ekklhsian (ekklêsian) - "assembly" - translated "church" (e.g. NKJV 1 Corinthians 11:18; 14:4; etc.) and "congregation" (e.g. Acts 7:38) or "assembly" (Acts 19:32, 39, 41; Hebrews 2:12). From ek (ek), "out of" and klhsiv (klêsis) "call" or "calling" (e.g. Hebrews 3:1). This is the word used for Hebrews 2:12 translated "assembly" and in the LXX for Psalm 22:22 for "assembly," Hebrew lh;q; (qahal) "assembly" (e.g. Genesis 49:6).
For the son of the man will come in the glory of his father with his messangers, then he will render to each one according to his deed. -- praxin (praxin) - "deed" - found also only in Luke 23:51; Acts 19:18; Romans 8:13; 12:4 (NKJV "function"); Colossians 3:9. See also Romans 2:6-10; Galatians 6:7-8.
And Joshua summoning them said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. -- katakurieuousin (katakurieuousin) - "lord it over" - found also only in Mark 10:42; Acts 19:16; 1 Peter 5:3.
And the one who received the one, departing, dug in the ground and hide his lord's silver.” -- argurion (argurion) - “silver” - found also only in Matthew 25:27; 26:15; 27:3, 5-6, 9; 28:12, 15; Mark 14:11; Luke 9:3; 19:15, 23; 22:5; Acts 3:6; 7:16; 8:20; 19:19; 20:33; 1 Corinthians 3:12; 1 Peter 1:18.
Then the chief priests and the scribes and the elders of the people came together at the courtyard of the chief priest, who is called Caiaphas, and plotted so that in deceit they might arrest and kill Joshua. -- arcierewv (archiereôs) – “chief priest” - KJV, NKJV, NAS “high priest” - same noun but singular form as the plural noun earlier in this verse for “chief priests” (KJV, NKJV, NAS) arciereiv (archiereis). arcierewv (archiereôs) “chief priest” is translated by the NKJV & NAS as “chief priest” in Acts 19:14 (KJV “chief of the priests”).
Then one of the twelve, the one called Judah Iscariot, going to the chief priests, said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?” And they weighed to him thirty pieces of silver. -- esthsan (estêsan) – “weighed” - KJV “covenanted;” NKJV “counted;” NAS “weighed” - this verb is from isthmi (istêmi) which is a common word in the NT and has a variety of meanings depending on the context. Its basic meaning is to stand (e.g. Matthew 27:11). The Greek word for “covenanted” (KJV) is diatiyhmi (diatithêmi), e.g. Hebrews 8:10; 10:16 (covenant that “I will make”); Acts 3:25. The Greek word for “counted” (as in NKJV) is sumqhfizw (sumpsêphizô) found only in Acts 19:19. In the LXX isthmi (istêmi) is used for “weighed” in 2 Samuel 14:26 (esthse [estêse]); Ezra 8:25-26 (esthsa [estêsa]); Job 6:2 (istwn sthsai [istôn stêsai] “fully weighed”); 28:15 (stayhsetai [stathêsetai]); 31:6 (estamai [estamai]); Isaiah 40:12 (esthse [estêse]); Zechariah 11:12 (esthsan [estêsan]).
And the chief priests, receiving the silver, said, “It is not lawful to throw these into the offering, since it is a price of blood.” -- timh (timê) - “price” - found also only in Matthew 27:9 (price); John 4:44 (honor); Acts 4:34 (proceeds); 5:2 (proceeds), 3 (price); 7:16 (sum); 19:19 (value); 28:10 (The noun and verb are here used. It is more literally, “honors they honored,” timaiv etimhsan [timais etimêsan]); Romans 2:7, 10; 9:21; 12:10; 13:7 (honor); 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23 (price); 12:23-24 (honor); Colossians 2:23 (value); 1 Thessalonians 4:4 (honor); 1 Timothy 1:17 (honor); 5:17 (honor); 6:1, 16 (honor); 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (honor); Hebrews 2:7, 9; 3:3; 5:4 (honor); 1 Peter 1:7 (honor); 2:7 (precious); 3:7 (honor); 2 Peter 1:17 (honor); Revelation 4:9, 11; 5:12-13; 7:12; 21:26 (honor) NKJV.
The one who says not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one who abhors idols, do you rob temples? -- ἱεροσυλεῖς (hierosuleis) “you rob temples,” (verb) see related noun “temple robbers” in Acts 19:37. Under the law, idols were to be utterly destroyed. (Deuteronomy 12:1-3)
These all were continuing with one accord in the prayer and in the supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Joshua, and with his brothers. -- ομοθυμαδον (homothumadon) - “with one accord” - also only found in Acts 2:1 (Majority and Received Texts), 46; 4:24; 5:12; 7:57; 8:6; 12:20; 15:25; 18:12; 19:29; Romans 15:6 (“with one mind”).
Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and also Cappadocia, Pontus and the Asia.. -- Ἀσίαν (Asian) - “Asia” - also only found in Acts 19:10, 22; 20:18; 27:2.