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Monday, July 21st, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Legacy Standard Bible

Acts 19:31

Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Demetrius;   Mob;   Paul;   Prudence;   Theater;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Acts, book of;   Ephesus;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Friend, Friendship;   Gods and Goddesses, Pagan;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Ordination;   Relics;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Asia;   Chiefs of Asia;   Diana;   Theatre;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Asiarchs;   Corinth;   Ephesus;   Games;   Money;   Paul;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Architecture in the Biblical Period;   Art and Aesthetics;   Asiarchs;   Chief;   Demetrius;   Ephesus;   Gods, Pagan;   Luke, Gospel of;   Masons;   Silversmith;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Acts of the Apostles;   Asiarch;   Bible;   Caesarea;   Chief of Asia;   Corinthians, Second Epistle to;   Ephesus;   Games;   Romans, Epistle to the;   Theatre;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Asia ;   Asiarch;   Church;   Emperor-Worship;   Ephesus ;   Friends Friendship;   Roman Law in the Nt;   Tyrannus ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Artemis ;   Asiarchs ;   Diana ;   Ephesians ;   Theatre;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Ephesians;   Ephesus;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Asiar'chae;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Saul of Tarsus;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Acts of the Apostles;   Adventure;   Asiarch;   Chief;   Games;   Theatre;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Asiarchae;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Chief;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to venture into the amphitheater.
King James Version (1611)
And certaine of the chiefe of Asia, which were his friends, sent vnto him, desiring him that he would not aduenture himselfe into the Theatre.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater.
New American Standard Bible
Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent word to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.
New Century Version
Also, some leaders of Asia who were friends of Paul sent him a message, begging him not to go into the theater.
Amplified Bible
Even some of the Asiarchs (officials) who were his friends sent word to him and repeatedly warned him not to venture into the amphitheater.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.
Berean Standard Bible
Even some of Paul's friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.
Contemporary English Version
A few of the local officials were friendly to Paul, and they sent someone to warn him not to go.
Complete Jewish Bible
Even some of the officials of the province, friends of his, sent a message begging him not to risk entering the theater.
Darby Translation
and some of the Asiarchs also, who were his friends, sent to him and urged him not to throw himself into the theatre.
Easy-to-Read Version
Also, some leaders of the country who were friends of Paul sent him a message telling him not to go into the stadium.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Certaine also of the chiefe of Asia which were his friendes, sent vnto him, desiring him that hee woulde not present him selfe in the Common place.
George Lamsa Translation
And likewise some of the chiefs of Asia Minor, because they were his friends, sent to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the theatre.
Good News Translation
Some of the provincial authorities, who were his friends, also sent him a message begging him not to show himself in the theater.
Lexham English Bible
And even some of the Asiarchs who were his friends sent word to him and were urging him not to risk himself by going into the theater.
Literal Translation
And also some of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sending to him begged him not to give himself into the theater.
American Standard Version
And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.
Bible in Basic English
And some of the rulers of Asia, being his friends, sent to him, requesting him seriously not to put himself in danger by going into the theatre.
Hebrew Names Version
Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.
International Standard Version
Even some officials of the province of Asia who were his friends sent him a message urging him not to risk his life in the theater.
Etheridge Translation
And the chiefs of Asia, because they were his friends, sent, praying of him not to deliver [fn] himself by going into the theatre.
Murdock Translation
And likewise the chiefs of Asia, because they were his friends, sent and requested of him, that he would not expose himself by going into the theatre.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But certaine of ye chiefe of Asia, which were his friendes, sent vnto hym, desiryng hym that he would not preasse into the common hall.
English Revised Version
And certain also of the chief officers of Asia, being his friends, sent unto him, and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.
World English Bible
Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And some also of the principal officers of Asia, being his friends, sent to him and desired, that he would not venture himself into the theatre.
Weymouth's New Testament
A few of the public officials, too, who were friendly to him, sent repeated messages entreating him not to venture into the Theatre.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And also summe of the princis of Asie, that weren hise freendis, senten to him. and preieden, that he schulde not yyue hym silf in to the teatre.
Update Bible Version
And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and implored him not to adventure himself into the theatre.
Webster's Bible Translation
And certain of the chief of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him, desiring [him] that he would not adventure himself into the theater.
New English Translation
Even some of the provincial authorities who were his friends sent a message to him, urging him not to venture into the theater.
New King James Version
Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
New Living Translation
Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater.
New Life Bible
Some of the city leaders who were his friends told him not to go to the meeting.
New Revised Standard
even some officials of the province of Asia, who were friendly to him, sent him a message urging him not to venture into the theater.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Moreover, certain of the Asiarchs also, being his friends, sending unto him, were beseeching him not to adventure himself into the theatre.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And some also of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring that he would not venture himself into the theatre.
Revised Standard Version
some of the A'si-archs also, who were friends of his, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Certayne also of ye chefe of Asia which were his frendes sent vnto him desyrynge him that he wolde not preace into the comen hall.
Young's Literal Translation
and certain also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, having sent unto him, were entreating him not to venture himself into the theatre.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Certayne also of ye chefe of Asia which were Pauls good frendes, sent vnto him, and desyred him, that he shulde not preasse in to the open place.
Mace New Testament (1729)
but was prevented by his disciples, and by the primates of Asia, who were his friends, and sent to desire he would not venture to the theatre:
Simplified Cowboy Version
There were even city officials who were friends of Paul who sent him a message to stay away from the stadium or he would likely be killed.

Contextual Overview

21Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." 22And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 23Now about that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; 25these he gathered together with the workers of similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that our prosperity is from this business. 26And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable crowd, saying that things made with hands are not gods. 27And not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be considered as worthless and that she, whom all of Asia and the world worship, is even about to be brought down from her majesty." 28When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29And the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia. 30And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly, the disciples would not let him.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the chief: Acts 19:10, Acts 16:6, Proverbs 16:7

desiring: Acts 21:12

Reciprocal: Acts 2:9 - Asia 1 Corinthians 4:9 - spectacle 2 Timothy 1:15 - that

Cross-References

Genesis 4:1
Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, "I have gotten a man with the help of Yahweh."
Genesis 6:4
The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.
Genesis 16:2
So Sarai said to Abram, "Now behold, Yahweh has shut my womb from bearing children. Please go in to my servant-woman; perhaps I will obtain children through her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
Genesis 16:4
So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. Then she saw that she had conceived, so her mistress became contemptible in her sight.
Genesis 19:8
Now behold, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them what is good in your eyes; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof."
Genesis 19:9
But they said, "Step aside." Furthermore, they said, "This one came to sojourn, and already he is persistently acting like a judge; now we will treat you more wickedly than them." So they pressed hard against Lot and stepped up to break the door.
Genesis 19:14
And Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, "Get up, get out of this place, for Yahweh will destroy the city." But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting.
Genesis 19:28
and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.
Genesis 19:30
And Lot went up from Zoar and stayed in the mountains, and his two daughters with him; for he was afraid to stay in Zoar; and he stayed in a cave, he and his two daughters.
Deuteronomy 25:5
"If brothers live together and one of them dies and has no son, then the wife of the one who died shall not be married outside the family to a strange man. Her husband's brother shall go in to her and take her to himself as wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And certain of the chief of Asia,.... Or the Asiarchs; these were not princes of Asia, rulers or governors of provinces, or cities, or civil magistrates; but priests who presided over the games and diversions at the theatre, and had the management and command of things there. Such an one was Philip the Asiarch, the church of Smyrna makes mention of in their account of the sufferings and martyrdom of Polycarp z, whom the people entreated that he would send out the lion to Polycarp; that is, out of the theatre which he had the command of; but he replied he could not do it, because he had finished the theatrical exercises: from whence it appears that he was the governor of the theatre, and had his title of Asiarch from thence, as these men had, wherefore this word should not be rendered, the "princes of Asia", as by the Vulgate Latin; nor the "chief of Asia", as by the Syriac and Arabic versions, and by ours, but rather the "Asian priests". The Ethiopic version not knowing who should be meant by them, only reads, "and some of Asia".

Which were his friends; they had a good opinion of the apostle, and a good liking of his doctrines, and wished well to his person, and were concerned for his safety; though they might not have been really converted, and truly disciples, as those in the preceding verse; for otherwise one would think they would have relinquished their office and place. These

sent unto him, messengers or letters,

desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre; they observed to him the danger he would expose himself to, and entreated he would show a greater regard to his life than to risk it in such a manner, a life might be so useful to many; and though they were the governors at the theatre, yet such was the rage and fury of the mob, that it was not in their power to restrain them from doing mischief, till such time as they were appeased.

z Apud Euseb. Eccl, Hist. l. 4. c. 15.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Certain of the chief of Asia - τῶν Ἀσιαρχῶν tōn Asiarchōn. Of the Asiarchs. These were persons who presided over sacred things and over the public games. It was their business to see that the proper services of religion were observed, and that proper honor was rendered to the Roman emperor in the public festivals, at the games, etc. They were annually elected, and their election was confirmed at Rome before it was valid They held a common council at the principal city within their province, as at Ephesus, Smyrna, Sardis, etc., to consult and deliberate about the interests committed to their charge in their various provinces (Kuinoel and Schleusner). Probably they were assembled on such an occasion now; and during their remaining there they had heard Paul preach, and were friendly to his views and doctrines.

Which were his friends - It does not appear from ibis that they were Christian converts; but they probably had feelings of respect toward him, and were disposed to defend him and his cause. Perhaps, also, there might have existed a personal acquaintance and attachment.

Would not adventure - Would not risk his life in the tumult, and under the excited feelings of the multitude.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 31. Certain of the chief of Asia — Τινες των Ασιαρχων; Some of the Asiarchs. The Asiarchs were those to whom the care and regulation of the public games were intrusted: they were a sort of high priests, and were always persons of considerable riches and influence. These could not have been Christians; but they were what the sacred text states them to have been, αυτω φιλοι, his friends; and foreseeing that Paul would be exposed to great danger if he went into the theatre, amidst such a tumultuous assembly, they sent a message to him, entreating him not to go into danger so apparent. Query: Did he not go, and fight with these wild beasts at Ephesus? 1 Corinthians 15:32.


 
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