Acts 19:37

37 You brought these men here, but they have not said anything evil against our goddess or stolen anything from her temple.

Acts 19:37 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 19:37

For ye have brought hither these men
The Arabic version reads, "these two men"; that is, Gaius and Aristarchus, whom they had brought by force into the theatre to fight with wild beasts:

which are neither robbers of churches;
or "temples"; or, as the Arabic version renders it, "robbers of the vessels of the temple", sacrilegious persons; they have not stolen anything out of the temple of Diana, nor any other:

nor yet blasphemers of your goddess;
they have not made mention of her name, much less said anything against her, at least this officer did not know that they had; and if he had, he did not stick to tell an officious lie to screen them, as did the Egyptian midwives in favour of the Hebrew women.

Acts 19:37 In-Context

35 Then the city clerk made the crowd be quiet. He said, "People of Ephesus, everyone knows that Ephesus is the city that keeps the temple of the great goddess Artemis and her holy stonen that fell from heaven.

36 Since no one can say this is not true, you should be quiet. Stop and think before you do anything.

37 You brought these men here, but they have not said anything evil against our goddess or stolen anything from her temple.

38 If Demetrius and those who work with him have a charge against anyone they should go to the courts and judges where they can argue with each other.

39 If there is something else you want to talk about, it can be decided at the regular town meeting of the people.