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Monday, September 22nd, 2025
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
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Read the Bible

THE MESSAGE

Acts 19:32

Some were yelling one thing, some another. Most of them had no idea what was going on or why they were there. As the Jews pushed Alexander to the front to try to gain control, different factions clamored to get him on their side. But he brushed them off and quieted the mob with an impressive sweep of his arms. But the moment he opened his mouth and they knew he was a Jew, they shouted him down: "Great Artemis of the Ephesians! Great Artemis of the Ephesians!"—on and on and on, for over two hours.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

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

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Church;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ephesus;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Church, the;   Gods and Goddesses, Pagan;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Church;   Ordination;   Relics;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Church;   Diana;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Corinth;   Paul;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Church;   Demetrius;   Ephesus;   Gods, Pagan;   Masons;   Silversmith;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Bible;   Corinthians, Second Epistle to;   Romans, Epistle to the;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Asia ;   Assembly;   Citizenship ;   Roman Law in the Nt;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Artemis ;   Assembly;   Church;   Diana ;   Ephesians ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Ephesians;   Ephesus;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Church;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Saul of Tarsus;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Assembly;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Some were shouting one thing and some another, because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
King James Version (1611)
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused, and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
King James Version
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
English Standard Version
Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
New American Standard Bible
So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.
New Century Version
Some people were shouting one thing, and some were shouting another. The meeting was completely confused; most of them did not know why they had come together.
Amplified Bible
Now some shouted one thing and some another, for the gathering was in confusion and most of the people did not know why they had come together.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.
Legacy Standard Bible
So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the meeting was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.
Berean Standard Bible
Meanwhile the assembly was in turmoil. Some were shouting one thing and some another, and most of them did not even know why they were there.
Contemporary English Version
Some of the people in the meeting were shouting one thing, and others were shouting something else. Everyone was completely confused, and most of them did not even know why they were there.
Complete Jewish Bible
Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing and others something else, because the assembly was in complete confusion, and the great majority didn't even know why they were there.
Darby Translation
Different persons therefore cried out some different thing; for the assembly was tumultuous, and the most did not know for what cause they had come together.
Easy-to-Read Version
Some people were shouting one thing and others were shouting something else. The meeting was very confused. Most of the people did not know why they had come there.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assemblie was out of order, and the more part knewe not wherefore they were come together.
George Lamsa Translation
Now the multitude in the theatre was greatly confused; some cried one thing, and some another; and many of them did not know why they had assembled together.
Good News Translation
Meanwhile the whole meeting was in an uproar: some people were shouting one thing, others were shouting something else, because most of them did not even know why they had come together.
Lexham English Bible
So some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and the majority did not know why they had assembled.
Literal Translation
Then others indeed cried out a different thing, for the assembly was confused, and the majority did not know on what account they came together.
American Standard Version
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
Bible in Basic English
And some said one thing, and some another: for there was no order in the meeting; and most of them had no idea why they had come together.
Hebrew Names Version
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn't know why they had come together.
International Standard Version
Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing, some another. For the assembly was confused, and most of them didn't know why they were meeting.
Etheridge Translation
But the crowd who were in the theatre were greatly commoved, and others cried other things; for many of them knew not on what account they were assembled.
Murdock Translation
And the multitudes that were in the theatre were in great confusion, and cried, some one thing, and some another: and many of them knew not for what cause they had come together.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Some therfore cryed one thyng, and some another, and the assemblie was all out of quiet, and the more part knew not wherfore they were come together.
English Revised Version
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
World English Bible
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn't know why they had come together.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another; for the assembly was confused, and the greater part did not know, for what they were come together.
Weymouth's New Testament
The people, meanwhile, kept shouting, some one thing and some another; for the assembly was all uproar and confusion, and the greater part had no idea why they had come together.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And othere men crieden othir thing; for the chirche was confusid, and many wisten not for what cause thei weren come togidere.
Update Bible Version
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and most didn't know why they had come together.
Webster's Bible Translation
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused, and the greater part knew not why they had come together.
New English Translation
So then some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had met together.
New King James Version
Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
New Living Translation
Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn't even know why they were there.
New Life Bible
All this time some were crying out one thing and some another. The meeting was all noise. Most of the people did not know why they had come together.
New Revised Standard
Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Others, indeed, were crying out something else; for the assembly had become confused, and, the greater part, knew not for what cause they had come together.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now some cried one thing, some another. For the assembly was confused: and the greater part knew not for what cause they were come together.
Revised Standard Version
Now some cried one thing, some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Some cryed one thinge and some another and the congregacion was all out of quiet and ye moare parte knewe not wherfore they were come togeder.
Young's Literal Translation
Some indeed, therefore, were calling out one thing, and some another, for the assembly was confused, and the greater part did not know for what they were come together;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Some cried one thinge, some another. And the congregacion was out of quyete, and the more parte knewe not wherfore they were come together.
Mace New Testament (1729)
there the mob were in the utmost riot, some bawling out in one cry, some in another, and the greatest part at a loss to know why they were met.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Inside the stadium, people were in a frenzy. Everyone was shouting something different and confusion reigned. Most people had just been caught up in action and didn't know why they were even there.

Contextual Overview

21After all this had come to a head, Paul decided it was time to move on to Macedonia and Achaia provinces, and from there to Jerusalem. "Then," he said, "I'm off to Rome. I've got to see Rome!" He sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, on to Macedonia and then stayed for a while and wrapped things up in Asia. 23But before he got away, a huge ruckus occurred over what was now being referred to as "the Way." A certain silversmith, Demetrius, conducted a brisk trade in the manufacture of shrines to the goddess Artemis, employing a number of artisans in his business. He rounded up his workers and others similarly employed and said, "Men, you well know that we have a good thing going here—and you've seen how Paul has barged in and discredited what we're doing by telling people that there's no such thing as a god made with hands. A lot of people are going along with him, not only here in Ephesus but all through Asia province. 27 "Not only is our little business in danger of falling apart, but the temple of our famous goddess Artemis will certainly end up a pile of rubble as her glorious reputation fades to nothing. And this is no mere local matter—the whole world worships our Artemis!" 28That set them off in a frenzy. They ran into the street yelling, "Great Artemis of the Ephesians! Great Artemis of the Ephesians!" They put the whole city in an uproar, stampeding into the stadium, and grabbing two of Paul's associates on the way, the Macedonians Gaius and Aristarchus. Paul wanted to go in, too, but the disciples wouldn't let him. Prominent religious leaders in the city who had become friendly to Paul concurred: "By no means go near that mob!" 32Some were yelling one thing, some another. Most of them had no idea what was going on or why they were there. As the Jews pushed Alexander to the front to try to gain control, different factions clamored to get him on their side. But he brushed them off and quieted the mob with an impressive sweep of his arms. But the moment he opened his mouth and they knew he was a Jew, they shouted him down: "Great Artemis of the Ephesians! Great Artemis of the Ephesians!"—on and on and on, for over two hours. 35Finally, the town clerk got the mob quieted down and said, "Fellow citizens, is there anyone anywhere who doesn't know that our dear city Ephesus is protector of glorious Artemis and her sacred stone image that fell straight out of heaven? Since this is beyond contradiction, you had better get hold of yourselves. This is conduct unworthy of Artemis. These men you've dragged in here have done nothing to harm either our temple or our goddess. 38"So if Demetrius and his guild of artisans have a complaint, they can take it to court and make all the accusations they want. If anything else is bothering you, bring it to the regularly scheduled town meeting and let it be settled there. There is no excuse for what's happened today. We're putting our city in serious danger. Rome, remember, does not look kindly on rioters." With that, he sent them home.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

cried: Acts 19:29, Acts 21:34

and the: Acts 19:40, Matthew 11:7-9, Luke 7:24-26

Reciprocal: Acts 21:22 - the multitude

Cross-References

Genesis 11:3
They said to one another, "Come, let's make bricks and fire them well." They used brick for stone and tar for mortar.
Genesis 19:6
Lot went out, barring the door behind him, and said, "Brothers, please, don't be vile! Look, I have two daughters, virgins; let me bring them out; you can take your pleasure with them, but don't touch these men—they're my guests."
Genesis 19:15
At break of day, the angels pushed Lot to get going, "Hurry. Get your wife and two daughters out of here before it's too late and you're caught in the punishment of the city."
Genesis 19:16
Lot was dragging his feet. The men grabbed Lot's arm, and the arms of his wife and daughters— God was so merciful to them!—and dragged them to safety outside the city. When they had them outside, Lot was told, "Now run for your life! Don't look back! Don't stop anywhere on the plain—run for the hills or you'll be swept away."
Genesis 19:31
One day the older daughter said to the younger, "Our father is getting old and there's not a man left in the country by whom we can get pregnant. Let's get our father drunk with wine and lie with him. We'll get children through our father—it's our only chance to keep our family alive."
Genesis 19:33
They got their father drunk with wine that very night. The older daughter went and lay with him. He was oblivious, knowing nothing of what she did. The next morning the older said to the younger, "Last night I slept with my father. Tonight, it's your turn. We'll get him drunk again and then you sleep with him. We'll both get a child through our father and keep our family alive." So that night they got their father drunk again and the younger went in and slept with him. Again he was oblivious, knowing nothing of what she did.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another,.... Not in the church at Ephesus among the disciples, and friends of the apostle, as if they were divided in their sentiments about his going into the theatre, some being for it, and others against it; but the people that were gathered together in the theatre, these were not agreed about the reason of this tumult, some said it was on account of one thing, and some another:

for the assembly was confused; the multitude of people that were gathered together were made up of different persons, of different employments and sentiments, and were in no manner of form or order:

and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together; there was a noise and a hubbub in the city; but what was the reason and meaning of it, they were ignorant of; they were got together into the theatre in great numbers, but what was to be done there they knew not. And this is too often the case in religious assemblies, that the majority, at least many, can give no account of the reason, end, and design of their assembling together.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Some therefore cried one thing ... - This is an admirable description of a mob, assembled for what purpose they knew not; but agitated by passions, and strifes, and tumults.

And the more part knew not ... - The greater part did not know. They had been drawn together by the noise and excitement, and but a small part would know the real cause of the commotion. This is usually the case in tumultuous meetings.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 32. Some - cried one thing, and some another — This is an admirable description of a tumultuous mob, gathered together without law or reason; getting their passions inflamed, and looking for an opportunity to commit outrages, without why or wherefore-principle or object.

For the assembly was confused — Ἡ εκκλησια; The same word which we translate church; and thus we find that it signifies any assembly, good or bad, lawful, or unlawful; and that only the circumstances of the case can determine the precise nature of the assembly to which this word is applied.


 
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