John Calvin Commentary Acts 19:29

"And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul`s companions in travel." — Acts 19:29 (ASV)

Luke describes in this place the nature of the people, as if it were depicted in a picture. Just as if a thousand houses were suddenly set on fire, so all the city was in an uproar in one moment; and when such a tempest is once raised, it is not easily calmed.

And since the servants of Christ cannot avoid this trouble, they must be armed with invincible steadfastness, so that they may boldly endure the tumults raised among the people, and not be troubled as by some new and strange matter when they see that the people are restless.

So Paul himself elsewhere triumphs that he went courageously through the midst of sedition (2 Corinthians 6:5). Nevertheless, the Lord upholds the ministers of His word with excellent comfort when they are tossed amidst various storms and commotions, and with excellent boldness He establishes them when He testifies that He holds the helm of His Church. And not only that, but He is the governor and moderator of all tumults and storms, so that He can calm them as soon as it seems good to Him.

Therefore, let us know that we must sail, as it were, in a tempestuous sea. Must we also endure this infamy, as if we ourselves were the instigators of trouble? Yet, nothing should lead us away from the right course of our duty. Thus, while sailing we shall be severely troubled; yet the Lord will not allow us to be shipwrecked.

Furthermore, we see that though sedition is chaotic, the people always take the worse part, just as the men of Ephesus now catch Gaius and Aristarchus, and drive back Alexander with their furious outcries. Where does this come from, if not because Satan reigns in their hearts, so that they are inclined to favor an evil cause? There is also another reason: a prejudice conceived from a false report possesses their minds, so that they cannot bear to examine the matter further.