Demetrius And The Riot In Ephesus Series

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.

In the absence of the courts, Demetrius could bring his case, if he had one, to the public assembly. But the clerk was careful to stress that it should be a “legal meeting of the citizens.” Under the best of circumstances, the Romans did not view these assemblies with any favor, and if they were found to be in blatant disregard of law and order, the Romans were just as likely to withdraw completely the right to hold them. As it was, these meetings were strictly controlled as to when they could be held, so this present gathering was highly irregular. The clerk then settled his argument. The Ephesians were running the danger of being charged with insurrection, since they really had no legally valid basis for their unruly behavior. If the Romans should inquire about it, the Ephesians themselves were in danger of prosecution. These words had a sobering effect on the crowd and the clerk was able to disperse them without further ado. No doubt, the people went home congratulating themselves that they had succeeded in defending their great city and their famous goddess. It is doubtful that many of them questioned the truthfulness of their religion or determined to investigate what Paul had been preaching for three years. It is much easier to believe a lie and follow the crowd. As far as we know Demetrius took the matter no further. This was another triumph for Paul and another legal endorsement for the Gospel, duly recorded by the sacred historian.

One can see in this episode a theme that will continue to recur in the subsequent narratives of Acts—the innocence of the Christians with respect to the civil law. Paul was never found guilty by any Roman official. On the contrary, even if only indirectly, they pled his case, as with the friendly Asiarchs and the town clerk in this instance.

[1] Asiarch: From Asia and arche; one of a group of civil and priestly officials in the Roman province of Asia who presided over the public games and religious rites. They were specially connected with the worship of the Roman emperor.

[2] That Ephesus did not take threats to the Artemis cult lightly is evidenced by an inscription found there, dating from several centuries b.c., which pronounces death on forty-five people from Sardis who maltreated an emissary from the temple of Artemis.

[3] Demagogue is the name given a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power.

[4] Ekklesia: The Greek word ekklesia speaks of a secular assembly of people, in this case a mob in action.

[5] Convener: a person who convenes or chairs a meeting, committee, etc., especially one who is specifically elected to do so: a convener of shop stewards.