John Calvin Commentary Acts 19:35

"And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter?" — Acts 19:35 (ASV)

Luke shows in this passage that although the uproar was calmed, superstition nevertheless prevailed among the frenzied people, and the truth of God was not heard. For the town clerk, as politic men usually do, considers it sufficient if he can by any means pacify the enraged crowd.

Nevertheless, the cause of truth itself is suppressed. He undoubtedly saw Demetrius’s malice and how he had stirred up the city, misusing the pretext of religion for his own private gain; but he does not touch that wound, which he knew was unknown to the uninformed. Nevertheless, so that he might quell the uproar and strife, he extols the prevailing power of Diana and upholds her superstitious worship.

If Paul had been in the public assembly [theater] at that time, he would rather have suffered death a hundred times than have allowed himself to be delivered from danger by paying so dearly for it. For even though the town clerk had not been commanded by Paul to speak this way, it would still have been treacherous deceit on the part of a public witness and preacher of heavenly doctrine to accept deliverance on such terms.

The clerk affirms that the image the Ephesians worshipped came down from heaven, and that Paul and his companions spoke no blasphemy against their goddess. Could Paul have remained silent? But by his silence, he would inevitably have condoned that false excuse. And this would have been to shake hands with idolatry.

Therefore, it was not without reason that Luke said earlier that Paul was held back by the brothers and not allowed to enter the public assembly [theater].