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the Week of Proper 9 / Ordinary 14
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Myles Coverdale Bible

Acts 19:31

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.

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.
Legacy Standard Bible
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.
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

21 Whan this was done, Paul purposed in sprete to take his iourney thorow Macedonia and Achaia, and to go to Ierusale, and sayde: After that I haue bene there, I must se Rome also. 22 And he sent into Macedonia two that mynistred vnto him, Timotheus and Erastus. But he himselfe remayned in Asia for a season. 23 At the same tyme there rose no litle a doo aboute that waye. 24 For a certayne man named Demetrius a goldsmyth, which made syluer shrynes for Diana, and broughte them of the crafte no small vauntage. 25 Them he gathered together, and the feloweworkme of the same occupacion, and sayde: Syrs, ye knowe that by this crafte we haue vauntage, 26 and ye se and heare, that not onely at Ephesus, but almost also thorow out all Asia, this Paul turneth awaye moch people with his persuadynge, and sayeth: They be not goddes that are made with hondes. 27 Howbeit it shal not onely brynge oure occupacion to this poynte to be set at naught, but also the temple of greate Diana shal from hence forth be despysed, and hir maiestye also shalbe destroyed, who neuertheles all Asia and the worlde worshippeth. 28 Whan they herde this, they were full of wrath, cried out, and sayde: Greate is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And all ye cite was on a roore, and they russhed in with one assent in to the open place, and toke Gaius and Aristarchus of Macedonia, Pauls companyons. 30 Whan Paul wolde haue gone in amonge the people, the disciples suffred him not.

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
Morouer Adam laye with Heua his wyfe, which coceaued & bare Cain, and sayde, I haue opteyned ye man of the LORDE.
Genesis 6:4
There were giauntes also in the worlde at that tyme. For whan the children of God had lyen with the daughters of men, and begotten them children, ye same (children) became mightie in the worlde, and men of renowne.
Genesis 16:2
and sayde vnto Abram: Beholde, the LORDE hath closed me, that I can not beare. Go in (I praye the) vnto my mayde: peraduenture I shalbe multiplied by her, more then by myself. And Abram herkened vnto the voyce of Sarai. Than Sarai
Genesis 16:4
And he wente in vnto Agar, and she conceaued. Now whan she sawe yt she had conceyued, she despysed hir mastresse.
Genesis 19:8
Beholde, I haue two doughters, which yet haue knowne no man: them will I brynge out vnto you, do with them as it liketh you. Onely do nothinge vnto these men of God, for therfore are they come vnder the shadowe of my rofe.
Genesis 19:9
But they sayde: Come thou hither. Then sayde they: Camest not thou onely herin as a straunger, and wilt thou now be a iudge? Wel, we will deale worse with the the with them.And they pressed sore vpon ye man Lot. And whan they ranne to, and wolde haue broken vp the dore,
Genesis 19:14
Then wente Lot forth, and spake to his sonnes in lawe, which shulde haue maried his doughters, and sayde: O stonde vp, and get you out of this place, for the LORDE wyll destroye this cite. Neuertheles they toke it but for a sporte.
Genesis 19:28
and turned his face towarde Sodoma and Gomorra, and all ye londe of that countre, and loked. And beholde, there rose vp a smoke from ye countre, as it had bene ye smoke of a fornace.
Genesis 19:30
And Lot departed out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountaynes with both his daughters (for he was afrayed to tary at Zoar) and so remayned he in a caue wt both his daughters.
Deuteronomy 25:5
Whan brethren dwell together, and one of them dye with out children, then shall not ye wife of the deed take a straunge man without, but hir kynsman shal go in vnto her, and take her to wyfe:

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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