Acts 19:37

37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.

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 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: "Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?

36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.

37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.

38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.

39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.

Footnotes

• [a]. NU-Text reads our.