A.T. Robertson Commentary Acts 19:28

A.T. Robertson Commentary

Acts 19:28

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
A.T. Robertson
A.T. Robertson

A.T. Robertson Commentary

Acts 19:28

1863–1934
Southern Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesus." — Acts 19:28 (ASV)

They were filled with wrath (γενομενο πλερεις θυμου). Having become full of wrath.

Cried out (εκραζον). Inchoative imperfect, began to cry out and kept it up continuously. Reiteration was characteristic of the orgiastic exercises. The Codex Bezae adds after θυμου (wrath): Δραμοντες εις την αμφοδον (running into the street), which they certainly did after the speech of Demetrius.

Great is Artemis of the Ephesians (Μεγαλη η Αρτεμις Εφεσιων). D (Codex Bezae) omits η (the) and makes it read: "Great Artemis of the Ephesians." This was the usual cry of the votaries in their orgies as the inscriptions show, an ejaculatory outcry or prayer instead of an argument as the other MSS. have it. That is vivid and natural (Ramsay, Church in the Roman Empire, pp. 135ff.). Yet on this occasion the artisans were making an argumentative protest and plea against Paul. An inscription at Dionysopolis has "Great is Apollo."