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The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul`s companions in travel.

Verse Takeaways

1

The Psychology of a Mob

Commentators describe the scene in Ephesus as a textbook case of "mob psychology." A crowd, stirred by economic self-interest and false religious zeal, quickly became a confused and violent mob. John Calvin notes that such groups, driven by prejudice, rarely seek the truth. This serves as a powerful warning about the dangers of unthinking, collective outrage and the importance of individual discernment.

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Book Overview

Acts

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Commentaries

7

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Acts 19:29

18th Century

Theologian

Confusion. Tumult; disorder.

Gaius. He had lived at Corinth, and had kindly entertained Paul at his house, [Reference 1 Co…

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On Acts 19:29

With the confusion (της συγχυσεως). Genitive case after επλησθη. An old word, but in the N.T. only here, from verb συγχεω, to pour…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Acts 19:29

19th Century

Bishop

The whole city was filled with confusion. The loud shouts from the district where Demetrius and his workmen met would, of course, …

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Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On Acts 19:29

The silversmiths began shouting out the ceremonial chant: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” hoping thereby to stir up the city on a pretext of r…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Acts 19:29

16th Century

Theologian

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,…

John Gill

John Gill

On Acts 19:29

17th Century

Pastor

And the whole city was filled with confusion
For the workmen who made the silver shrines very likely ran up and down…

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Acts 19:21–31

17th Century

Minister

People who came from afar to offer their devotions at the temple of Ephesus bought small silver shrines, or models of the temple, to take home with…