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The Acts of the Apostles
diminishing, and all united in attributing the unwelcome change to
Paul’s labors.
Demetrius, a manufacturer of silver shrines, calling together the
workmen of his craft, said: “Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have
our wealth. 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:
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
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her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world
worshipeth.” These words roused the excitable passions of the people.
“They were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the
Ephesians.”
A report of this speech was rapidly circulated. “The whole city was
filled with confusion.” Search was made for Paul, but the apostle was
not to be found. His brethren, receiving an intimation of the danger,
had hurried him from the place. Angels of God had been sent to guard
the apostle; his time to die a martyr’s death had not yet come.
Failing to find the object of their wrath, the mob seized “Gaius
and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel,” and
with these “they rushed with one accord into the theater.”
Paul’s place of concealment was not far distant, and he soon learned
of the peril of his beloved brethren. Forgetful of his own safety, he
desired to go at once to the theater to address the rioters. But “the
disciples suffered him not.” Gaius and Aristarchus were not the prey
the people sought; no serious harm to them was apprehended. But
should the apostle’s pale, care-worn face be seen, it would arouse at
once the worst passions of the mob and there would not be the least
human possibility of saving his life.
Paul was still eager to defend the truth before the multitude, but he
was at last deterred by a message of warning from the theater. “Certain
of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring
him that he would not adventure himself into the theater.”
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The tumult in the theater was continually increasing. “Some ...
cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused;
and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.” The
fact that Paul and some of his companions were of Hebrew extraction
made the Jews anxious to show plainly that they were not sympathiz-