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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 19:37 For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/19-37.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/44_Act_19_37.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 19:37 - The Riot in Ephesus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/19-36.htm" title="Acts 19:36">◄</a> Acts 19:37 <a href="/acts/19-38.htm" title="Acts 19:38">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/acts/19.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/acts/19.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/acts/19.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You have brought these men here, but they have stolen nothing from the temple and have not spoken against our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/19.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/19.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For you brought these men, neither temple plunderers nor blaspheming our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/19.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/19.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For you have brought these men <i>here who are</i> neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/19.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“For you have brought these men<i> here</i> who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For you have brought these men <i>here</i> who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here who are not temple robbers or blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here who are not temple robbers or blasphemers of our goddess. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/19.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You have brought men in here who have not robbed temples or spoken against our goddess. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/19.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The men you brought here don't rob temples or insult our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/19.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You have brought these men here even though they have not robbed temples or said evil things about our goddess. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/19.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here, although they neither rob temples nor blaspheme our goddess. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed your goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/19.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/19.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/19.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For you brought these men, who are neither temple-robbers nor slandering of your goddess;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/19.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For you brought these men, neither temple plunderers nor blaspheming our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'For ye brought these men, who are neither temple-robbers nor speaking evil of your goddess;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For ye brought these men not sacrilegious, nor blaspheming your goddess.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For you have brought hither these men, who are neither guilty of sacrilege, nor of blasphemy against your goddess. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For you have brought forward these men, who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers against your goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/19.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The men you brought here are not temple robbers, nor have they insulted our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here who have neither robbed temples nor have they reviled our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/19.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“For you have brought these men although they have not robbed temples neither have reviled our goddess.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/19.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples, nor revilers of your goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/19.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For you have led in these men, who are neither robbers of temples, nor are they blaspheming your goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/19.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For ye have brought hither these men, neither robbers of the temple, nor blasphemers of your goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/19.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />for the men you have brought here, have neither plunder'd your temples, nor inveigh'd against your goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/19.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/19.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For ye brought <i>hither</i> these men, <i>who are</i> neither temple-robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/19.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />For ye have brought these men <i>hither,</i> who are neither robbers of temples, nor blasphemers of your goddess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/19-37.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=6549" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/19.htm">The Riot in Ephesus</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">36</span>Since these things are undeniable, you ought to be calm and not do anything rash. <span class="reftext">37</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/71.htm" title="71: ēgagete (V-AIA-2P) -- A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce.">you have brought</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutous (DPro-AMP) -- This; he, she, it. ">these</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/435.htm" title="435: andras (N-AMP) -- A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.">men here,</a> <a href="/greek/3777.htm" title="3777: oute (Conj) -- And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.">though they have neither</a> <a href="/greek/2417.htm" title="2417: hierosylous (Adj-AMP) -- Robbing temples, but possibly simply: sacrilegious. From hieron and sulao; a temple-despoiler.">robbed our temple</a> <a href="/greek/3777.htm" title="3777: oute (Conj) -- And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.">nor</a> <a href="/greek/987.htm" title="987: blasphēmountas (V-PPA-AMP) -- From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously.">blasphemed</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: theon (N-AFS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">goddess.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">38</span>So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-4.htm">Exodus 20:4</a></span><br />You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a></span><br />All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Jeremiah 10:3-5</a></span><br />For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a></span><br />So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-19.htm">1 Corinthians 10:19-20</a></span><br />Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/1-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:9</a></span><br />For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-28.htm">Deuteronomy 4:28</a></span><br />And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></span><br />Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a></span><br />The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Isaiah 46:6-7</a></span><br />They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/16-20.htm">Jeremiah 16:20</a></span><br />Can man make gods for himself? Such are not gods!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">1 Kings 18:26-29</a></span><br />And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-18.htm">2 Kings 19:18</a></span><br />They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/5-23.htm">Daniel 5:23</a></span><br />Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-18.htm">Habakkuk 2:18-19</a></span><br />What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. / Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For you have brought here these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.</p><p class="hdg">which.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/25-8.htm">Acts 25:8</a></b></br> While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/10-32.htm">1 Corinthians 10:32</a></b></br> Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/6-3.htm">2 Corinthians 6:3</a></b></br> Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Blasphemed</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-2.htm">Blasphemers</a> <a href="/acts/16-5.htm">Churches</a> <a href="/acts/18-10.htm">Damage</a> <a href="/acts/19-18.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/acts/19-35.htm">Goddess</a> <a href="/acts/17-6.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/acts/19-6.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Injuriously</a> <a href="/mark/9-17.htm">Robbed</a> <a href="/john/10-8.htm">Robbers</a> <a href="/hosea/10-2.htm">rs</a> <a href="/acts/19-6.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/acts/19-9.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/acts/19-6.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/acts/19-24.htm">Temples</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/2-24.htm">Blasphemed</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-2.htm">Blasphemers</a> <a href="/romans/16-4.htm">Churches</a> <a href="/acts/27-10.htm">Damage</a> <a href="/acts/20-19.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-5.htm">Goddess</a> <a href="/acts/25-17.htm">Hither</a> <a href="/acts/20-7.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/romans/3-8.htm">Injuriously</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-8.htm">Robbed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-10.htm">Robbers</a> <a href="/romans/1-31.htm">rs</a> <a href="/acts/21-37.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/acts/20-1.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/acts/20-7.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/romans/2-22.htm">Temples</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 19</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/19-1.htm">The Holy Spirit is given by Paul's hands.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/19-8.htm">The Jews blaspheme his doctrine, which is confirmed by miracles.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/19-13.htm">The Jewish exorcists,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/19-16.htm">are beaten by a man who had an evil spirit.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/19-19.htm">Conjuring books are burnt.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/19-21.htm">Demetrius, for love of gain, raises an uproar against Paul;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/19-35.htm">which is appeased by the town clerk.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For you have brought these men here</b><br>This phrase is part of a speech by the city clerk of Ephesus, addressing a crowd that had gathered in an uproar against Paul and his companions. The men referred to are likely Gaius and Aristarchus, who were seized by the mob. The city clerk's role was to maintain order and ensure that the city did not fall into disfavor with Roman authorities. Ephesus was a major city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its temple to Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The clerk's statement highlights the legal and civic responsibilities of the time, emphasizing the importance of due process and the potential consequences of mob action.<p><b>though they have neither robbed our temple</b><br>The temple of Artemis in Ephesus was not only a religious center but also a significant economic hub, attracting pilgrims and tourists. The accusation of temple robbery would have been a serious charge, as temples often served as treasuries and banks. The clerk's assertion that Paul and his companions had not committed such an act underscores their innocence in terms of any direct offense against the temple's sanctity or economic interests. This reflects the broader theme in Acts of the apostles being falsely accused or misunderstood, similar to accusations faced by Jesus (e.g., <a href="/mark/14-58.htm">Mark 14:58</a>).<p><b>nor blasphemed our goddess</b><br>Artemis was a central figure in Ephesian culture and religion, and blasphemy against her would have been considered a grave offense. The clerk's statement suggests that Paul and his companions had not directly spoken against Artemis, which aligns with Paul's general approach of preaching the gospel without directly attacking local deities. This approach is consistent with Paul's strategy in other cities, where he focused on proclaiming Christ rather than denouncing local gods (e.g., <a href="/acts/17-22.htm">Acts 17:22-23</a> in Athens). The emphasis on not blaspheming highlights the early Christian effort to distinguish their message from direct cultural or religious confrontation, focusing instead on the transformative power of the gospel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>An apostle spreading the Gospel in Ephesus, whose teachings were causing a significant cultural and economic stir.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/demetrius.htm">Demetrius</a></b><br>A silversmith in Ephesus who incited a riot against Paul and his companions because their teachings threatened his trade of making silver shrines of Artemis.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a></b><br>A major city in Asia Minor, known for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/artemis.htm">Artemis</a></b><br>The goddess worshiped in Ephesus, central to the city's identity and economy.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/town_clerk.htm">Town Clerk</a></b><br>A city official who calmed the riotous crowd by pointing out that Paul and his companions had not committed sacrilege or blasphemy against Artemis.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/respectful_engagement.htm">Respectful Engagement</a></b><br>Paul and his companions were not blasphemers, demonstrating the importance of engaging with differing beliefs respectfully and without slander.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_sensitivity.htm">Cultural Sensitivity</a></b><br>Understanding the cultural and economic implications of the Gospel message is crucial in ministry, as seen in the impact on the Ephesian economy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legal_and_peaceful_defense.htm">Legal and Peaceful Defense</a></b><br>The town clerk's defense of Paul highlights the importance of legal and peaceful means in resolving conflicts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_witness.htm">Integrity in Witness</a></b><br>The accusation that Paul and his companions were neither robbers nor blasphemers underscores the importance of maintaining integrity in our Christian witness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_idols.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Idols</a></b><br>The passage reminds us of God's sovereignty over all creation, including man-made idols, encouraging believers to trust in God's ultimate authority.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 19</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_greek_goddess_artemis.htm">Who is the Greek goddess Artemis?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_bible_miracles_are_described.htm">What miracles are described in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_paul_restrict_women's_authority.htm">Why does Paul say women should not have authority over men (1 Timothy 2:12)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_demetrius_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Demetrius in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(37) <span class= "bld">These men, which are neither robbers of churches.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">robbers of temples.</span> It was not unusual for the writers of the Elizabethan age to apply the term, which we confine to Christian buildings, to heathen temples. They would speak, <span class= "ital">e.g., </span>of the "church" of Diana, or the "chapel" of Apollo. The corresponding noun for "robbing temples," or "sacrilege," is found in inscriptions discovered by Mr. Wood (vi. 1, p. 14) among the ruins of the Temple, as denoting a crime to which the severest penalties were attached. The testimony to the general character of St. Paul and his companions, as shown both in word and deed, indicates the quietness and calmness with which they had preached the truth. They persuaded, but they did not ridicule or revile. This was, probably, more than could be said for Alexander and the Jews who put him forward. (See Note on <a href="/acts/19-33.htm" title="And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense to the people.">Acts 19:33</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 37.</span> <span class="accented">- Temples</span> for <span class="accented">churches</span>, A.V.; <span class="accented">,or</span> for <span class="accented">nor yet</span>, A.V.; <span class="accented">our</span> for <span class="accented">your</span>, A.V. <span class="cmt_word">Ye have brought</span>, etc. <span class="greek">Ἄγειν</span> is especially used of "bringing before a magistrate," "leading to execution," etc. (<a href="/luke/21-12.htm">Luke 21:12</a>; <a href="/luke/23-1.htm">Luke 23:1</a>; <a href="/acts/6-12.htm">Acts 6:12</a>; <a href="/acts/17-19.htm">Acts 17:19</a>; <a href="/acts/18-12.htm">Acts 18:12</a>; <a href="/mark/13-11.htm">Mark 13:11</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Robbers of temples</span>; <span class="greek">ἱερόσυλοι</span> found only here in the New Testament. The verb <span class="greek">ἱεροσυλεῖν</span> occurs in <a href="/romans/2-22.htm">Romans 2:22</a>. <span class="cmt_word">Blasphemers of our goddess</span>. If the A.V. is right, perhaps we may see in the phrase "your goddess" an indication that the town-clerk himself was more or less persuaded by St. Paul's preaching, that "they are no gods which are made with hands," and did not care to speak of Diana as his own goddess. It appears also that St. Paul had not launched out into abuse of the heathen gods in general, or Diana in particular, but had preached the more excellent way by faith in Jesus Christ, to draw them from their idols (<a href="/1_thessalonians/1-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:9</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/19-37.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have brought</span><br /><span class="grk">ἠγάγετε</span> <span class="translit">(ēgagete)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_71.htm">Strong's 71: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">these</span><br /><span class="grk">τούτους</span> <span class="translit">(toutous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">men {here},</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄνδρας</span> <span class="translit">(andras)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_435.htm">Strong's 435: </a> </span><span class="str2">A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[though they have] neither</span><br /><span class="grk">οὔτε</span> <span class="translit">(oute)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3777.htm">Strong's 3777: </a> </span><span class="str2">And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">robbed [our] temple</span><br /><span class="grk">ἱεροσύλους</span> <span class="translit">(hierosylous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2417.htm">Strong's 2417: </a> </span><span class="str2">Robbing temples, but possibly simply: sacrilegious. From hieron and sulao; a temple-despoiler.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nor</span><br /><span class="grk">οὔτε</span> <span class="translit">(oute)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3777.htm">Strong's 3777: </a> </span><span class="str2">And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">blasphemed</span><br /><span class="grk">βλασφημοῦντας</span> <span class="translit">(blasphēmountas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_987.htm">Strong's 987: </a> </span><span class="str2">From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hēmōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">goddess.</span><br /><span class="grk">θεὸν</span> <span class="translit">(theon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/19-37.htm">Acts 19:37 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/19-37.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 19:37 For you have brought these men here (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/19-36.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 19:36"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 19:36" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/19-38.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 19:38"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 19:38" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>