Acts Chapter 19

At a Glance

  • Acts 19 documents a dramatic surge of the gospel in Ephesus, a pagan epicenter of a widespread cult and commerce around the goddess Artemis.
  • Paul’s public engagement in the synagogue continues for three months, but opposition hardens; eventually he withdraws and continues teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus for two years.
  • The chapter culminates in a strong critique of magic and occult practices as many believers publicly confess their former practices and burn costly books.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Acts 19 places Paul in Ephesus during his third journey, reflecting a city-level center of commerce and cultic life.

Chapter Overview

Acts 19 documents a dramatic surge of the gospel in Ephesus, a pagan epicenter of a widespread cult and commerce around the goddess Artemis. Paul arrives, questions the Ephesian disciples about the Holy Spirit, and discovers they had not even heard of the Spirit. Upon hearing about Jesus, they are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and when Paul lays hands on them, the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and they speak in tongues and prophesy. This marks a doctrinal and experiential expansion: the Spirit’s presence confirms a new depth of power and identity for this fledgling Christian community.

Paul’s public engagement in the synagogue continues for three months, but opposition hardens; eventually he withdraws and continues teaching daily in the school of Tyrannus for two years. The result is widespread impact: all in Asia hear the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Luke records God performing extraordinary miracles through Paul, including the healing of diseases by handkerchiefs and apparel; the spiritual power then demonstrates both the authority of Jesus and the reality of spiritual warfare as exorcists attempt to invoke Jesus’ name without true authority, meeting a dramatic counter-reaction.

The chapter culminates in a strong critique of magic and occult practices as many believers publicly confess their former practices and burn costly books. The resulting economic and religious disruption prompts a riot, leading to dramatic public disclosure of the power of the gospel over occult power and idol worship. The overarching arc is the gospel’s transformative power confronting entrenched paganism, with the Spirit’s presence driving mission forward and reforming social practices through repentance and renunciation of former sins.

Historical & Literary Context

Acts 19 places Paul in Ephesus during his third journey, reflecting a city-level center of commerce and cultic life. The genre remains narrative with theological interpretation, illustrating confrontations between apostolic faith and polytheistic, magical, and imperial dimensions of life in the Roman world. The Book of Acts presents a pattern: gospel proclamation, sign of divine power, response of repentance, and social transformation. The magic controversy underscores the immediacy of spiritual warfare and the legitimacy of Jesus’ name against counterfeit spiritual forces. Ephesus’s prominence in the book (temple to Artemis, trade routes) makes the chapter a focal point of gospel expansion into Asia Minor and beyond.

Key Themes

- Spirit-led empowerment and baptism: The Pentecost-like sign of the Spirit’s arrival points to continued apostolic authority.

- Public witness and social transformation: The spread of the gospel leads to a mass exodus from occult practices; personal repentance results in public renunciation of former sins.

- Miraculous signs and discernment: God confirms Paul’s message with miracles, reinforcing faithful proclamation.

- Spiritual conflict and identity: Exorcists fail to command demonic power outside of genuine authority in Christ.

- Gospel impact on economic and cultural life: The repentance of believers alters local religious economic dynamics.

Modern Application

Acts 19 challenges modern readers to consider the relationship between personal faith and public life: when the gospel truly takes root, it often requires reordering values, spending, and cultural practices. Acts 19 shows that genuine conversion leads to tangible behavioral changes—renunciation of occult practices, re-prioritization of allegiance, and public confession. For churches today, it highlights the importance of spiritual discernment, mature discipleship, and accountability in the exercise of spiritual gifts and miracles. It also demonstrates the potential for faith to disrupt oppressive systems (economic or cultural) tied to idolatry, urging believers to consider how their faith calls them to integrity in marketplaces, media, and civic life.

- Acts 2 (Spirit baptism and empowered witness)

- Acts 8–9 (miracles and the spread of Christian power)

- 1 Corinthians 12–14 (spiritual gifts in community life)

- Romans 12 (renewal of the mind and transformed behavior)

- Paul (for doctrinal clarity and power in ministry)

- Priscilla and Aquila (for teaching and discipling within urban mission)

Chapter Text

1

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

4

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

7

And all the men were about twelve.

8

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

9

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

10

And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

11

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12

So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

13

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

14

And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

15

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

16

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18

And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

19

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20

So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

21

After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

22

So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

23

And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

24

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

25

Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

26

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:

27

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 her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

28

And when they heard these sayings, 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 caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

30

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

31

And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

32

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

33

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

34

But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

35

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

36

Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

37

For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

38

Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

39

But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

40

For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

41

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore Acts Chapter 19 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

Ask Apostle PaulAsk MosesAsk King DavidAsk Jesus Christ
← Acts 18Acts 20 →