IV. PAUL'S THIRD TOUR (continued) (18:23-21:16)
G. The Mob of the Silversmiths (vv. 23-41)
v.23 "The Way" is synonymous with Christianity and a term frequently used by Luke. Acts 9:2, 19:9; 22:4; 24:14,22.
v.24 Demetrius was concerned about his business. Why would "the way" be hurting his particular business? What is a silver shrine of Diana? Who was Diana? (The goddess of fertility.)
v.25 Demetrius had no trouble in rounding up the silversmiths and convincing them that Paul was a threat to their wealth.
v.26 Demetrius' argument against Paul is that he has turned the people against Diana (idolatry) not only in Ephesus, but also throughout Asia. Perhaps Demetrius exaggerated the extent of Paul's influence to convince his fellow silversmiths that something had to be done.
v.27 In addition to the business problems Paul was causing, he was also causing religious problems. The temple of Diana was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and was indeed magnificent. Summing up the arguments presented by Demetrius, he has appealed to the peoples two most sensitive areas: 1) finances and 2) religion.
v.28 The speech had the desired effect. The crowd begins to chant, in the common vernacular they were "fired up." Diana of the Ephesians is not to be confused with Diana of the Greeks (huntress).
v.29 The theatre was capable of holding thousands of people. Gaius is not the one mentioned elsewhere in the N.T. Aristarchus, Acts 27:2; Col. 4:10; Phile.24. The crowd could not find Paul so they took these companions instead.
v.30 Paul was no coward, but the disciples kept him from entering the Theatre.
v.31 The chief officers were men in charge of the festival and games that were held in Ephesus each May honoring Diana. It is interesting to note that Paul had friends among these officials. II Cor. 1:8-10 is a comment on Paul's afflictions in Ephesus.
v.32 The mob was so confused that many of them did not know why they had assembled.
v.33 Who would Alexander (a Jew) be trying to defend? Paul? Jews?
v.34 How could the crowd tell Alexander was a Jew? Features, speech or manner of dress. Now they begin chanting for two hours. Compare I Kings 18:26. What did the teaching of Paul have in common with the teaching of the Jews?
v.35 The town clerk was an elected official of the city. He is trying to quiet the crowd for reasons we shall see. Here we see the myth put forth that the idol Diana had been dropped from heaven.
v.36 The first argument of the town clerk is summed up in this verse, namely no one could rob Ephesus of its glory or Diana of its honor, why get worked up?
v.37 His second argument is that Paul and in this cause Gaius and Aristarchus had not: 1) robbed the temple 2) blasphemed the goddess. Paul had not done his preaching in a negative hateful way.
v.38 His third argument is that if some law has been broken, the courts are the place to settle it. This is a condemnation of Demetrius and his companions for starting the uproar.
v.39 The town clerk continues to admonish the people to use legal means to settle their problems. It seems that the Ephesians held a regular meeting for dealing with such disputes, but this meeting was not regular.
v.40 His final argument is that the city was in danger of losing face with the Roman government. It was a capital crime under Roman law to raise a riot.
v.41 The town clerk arguments must have made the people aware of their possible predicament, because the mob dispersed.
H. Paul's Second Visit to Macedonia and Greece (20:1-6)
v.1 We can fill in the gaps left in Luke's narrative by Paul's writings. II Cor. 2:13; 7:5-7; 2:4-11; 9:1,2; 10:1, 11:13-15
v.2 Paul's journey included stops in Troas, Macedonia and Illyricum, which Luke chooses not to mention.
v.3 Three months at Corinth produced the Roman Letter and possibly the Galatian letter. The plot against Paul's life caused him to change his route.
v.4 Of these seven brethren we know nothing further of Sopater; Aristarchus, we've already mentioned; we know nothing more about Secundus; Gaius was probably a friend of Timothy but not the same Gaius of chapter 19; Tychicus is mentioned in Paul's prison epistles and Trophimus was with Paul in Jerusalem (Acts 21:29). Why would Paul need these bodyguards? Contributions for the needy saints in Judea.
v.5 Probably only the last two brethren mentioned went on ahead. Who is back with Paul? Luke. It has been six or semen years since they have been together. Where has Luke been? See verse 6.
v.6 Luke outlines their journey as they leave Philippi. The work that Paul had considered previously at Troas now could be done. (II Cor. 2:12)
I. A Lord's Day Meeting in Troas (vv. 7-12)
v.7 This is the first mention of services on the first day of the week. Although I Cor. 16:2 predates this occurrence. The chief reason for meeting was to partake of the Lord's Supper.
v.8 Since Paul was preaching into the night, obviously some type of lights would be needed.
v.9 We find out here that the upper chamber is on the third story. Eutychus was dead when the brethren reached him on the ground.
v.10 Paul, in a manner similar to Elijah (I Ki. 17:21) and Elisha (2Ki. 4:34) fell on the young man. Compare Paul's statement to Christ's in Lu. 8:52,53. Paul did not say that Eutychus had not been dead, only that he was now alive.
v.11 This was probably not the Lord's Supper, but nourishment for Paul. Was it now Monday morning or Sunday night or Saturday night or Sunday morning? Commentators disagree.
v.12 Eutychus was presented alive to the congregation, thus comforting them.
J. The Voyage from Troas to Miletus (vv. 13-16)
v.13 The next stop was Assos, a 20-mile land journey and a 30 to 40 mile sea journey. Paul chose the land route while sending the company by sea. Why would Paul want to go on foot alone?
v.14 When Paul joined the company at Assos, they sailed to Mitylene the capital of Lesbos, about 30 miles.
v.15 Mitylene to Chios to Samos to Miletus: 3 days.
v.16 Paul knew that if he went to Ephesus he would be compelled to stay for a time. He wanted to make it to Jerusalem by Pentecost and time was of the essence. All of the Judean brethren would be present in Jerusalem on Pentecost, therefore the distribution of alms would be simplified.
ADDENDA- Miracles in the book of Acts
28) Eutychus raised from the dead. 20:8-12