Now after these events Paul's spiritual resolution was to pass on through Macedo'nia and Acha'ia on his way to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Eras'tus, into Macedonia while he stayed around in Asia. That was the around the time that no little stir erupted concerning the Way. It happened that a man named Deme'trius, a silversmith, maker of silver shrines of Ar'temis, who brought no little business to the craftsmen, gathered together with workmen in similar trades, and said, "You fellows know how we derive our income from this business. And you are able to see and hear how this Paul fellow has persuaded and turned away a considerable company of people, telling them that gods made with hands are not gods - think about Ephesus but also reflect upon the impact throughout Asia. Is not there a danger that this trade of ours will come into disrepute? But more - is the temple of the great goddess Ar'temis to count for nothing? Will she be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship?" When they heard this they were enraged, crying out, "Great is Ar'temis of the Ephesians!" And so the city was filled with confusion; a meeting in the theatre was hastily convened dragging Ga'ius and Aristar'chus, Paul's Macedonian travelling companions, along. Paul was eager to face the crowd, but the disciples refused to let him go; some of the A'si-archs (regional rulers) who were his friends concurred, sending a message that begged him to keep away from the theatre. Now some were crying one thing and some another; the assembly was confused, with most not knowing the reason for assembling. Some in the crowd prompted Alexander, put forward by the Jews. Alexander motioned with his hand, indicating he wished to defend himself against the demo. But they recognized him as a Jew, and so for about two hours kept up the chant, "Great is Ar'temis of the Ephesians!" Finally, the town clerk quieted the crowd, and said, "Men of Ephesus, what man here does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Ar'temis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? Seeing then that these things cannot be contradicted, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. If therefore Deme'trius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against any one, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against whomever. But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. For today we are in danger of being charged with riot, since we can give no cause to justify this commotion." So saying, he dismissed the assembly.
In a Nutshell
The situation got nasty. Things got dangerous. Paul had to lie low.
Questions
Why was it important that Paul had already decided to move on?
And there was a reaction. A big reaction. When the silversmiths and tradesmen sensed that their livelihood was threatened by the Gospel Paul preached, they took action. Artemis, their temple goddess, was threatened. They were not wrong.
The Christians who lived there could hardly avoid the influence of "Great Artemis of the Ephesians". When the town clerk finally quietened the crowd, he informed them that they had presented no charge and as far as he was concerned there was nothing he could do. Nothing had prevented them from doing so. So, the mob was dismissed. But the deep suspicions of the silversmiths remained and the Christians would have to keep their heads down and hang on by their finger nails.
Luke tells us that Paul had decided to leave Ephesus before this uproar. His subsequent departure for Jerusalem was not because it was too dangerous for him to stay. His decision to leave had been made earlier; it was not due to the confrontation with these idol worshippers. Luke also tells us that the disciples and Paul's friends - some were rulers of nearby Roman provinces - prevented him when he wanted to address the mob. I wonder. Did the town-clerk speak as he did because he had been taught by Paul that Government receives its task from God?