Acts 19:30

30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

Acts 19:30 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 19:30

And when Paul would have entered in unto the people
In the theatre, in order to have preached to the people, and to have removed their prejudices against him, and the Gospel preached by him, and to have shown them the error and evil of their idolatrous ways and worship, and to have reconciled them to him, and his friends, and to have persuaded them to do them no hurt; which shows the apostle's greatness of soul, his firmness, constancy, and intrepidity, and his great concern and affection for his companions, to risk his life in this manner: but

the disciples suffered him not;
the believers, the members of the church at Ephesus would by no means agree to it, but dissuaded him from it; who hereby, on their part, showed great love to him, and what a value they had for him, and how much they esteemed the life of so great an apostle, and faithful preacher of the Gospel. The Ethiopic version renders it, "the apostles prohibited him"; but there were none of that office with him.

Acts 19:30 In-Context

28 And when they heard these things, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"

29 And the whole city was filled with confusion and, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia who were Paul's companions in his travel, they rushed with one accord into the theater.

30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

31 And certain of the Asian chiefs, who were his friends, sent unto him, urging that he would not venture into the theater.

32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the greater part knew not why they had come together.