Acts 19:23
New International Version
About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.

New Living Translation
About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way.

English Standard Version
About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way.

Berean Standard Bible
About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.

Berean Literal Bible
Now at the same time no small disturbance arose concerning the Way.

King James Bible
And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

New King James Version
And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.

New American Standard Bible
About that time a major disturbance occurred in regard to the Way.

NASB 1995
About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way.

NASB 1977
And about that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now about that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way.

Amplified Bible
About that time there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way (Jesus, Christianity).

Christian Standard Bible
About that time there was a major disturbance about the Way.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
During that time there was a major disturbance about the Way.

American Standard Version
And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.

Contemporary English Version
At that time there was serious trouble because of the Lord's Way.

English Revised Version
And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
During that time a serious disturbance concerning the way [of Christ] broke out in the city of Ephesus.

Good News Translation
It was at this time that there was serious trouble in Ephesus because of the Way of the Lord.

International Standard Version
Now about that time a great commotion broke out concerning the Way.

Majority Standard Bible
About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.

NET Bible
At that time a great disturbance took place concerning the Way.

New Heart English Bible
About that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

Weymouth New Testament
Now just at that time there arose no small commotion about the new faith.

World English Bible
About that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there came, at that time, not a little stir about The Way,

Berean Literal Bible
Now at the same time no small disturbance arose concerning the Way.

Young's Literal Translation
And there came, at that time, not a little stir about the way,

Smith's Literal Translation
And in that time was there no little trouble about the way.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now at that time there arose no small disturbance about the way of the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now at that time, there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way of the Lord.

New American Bible
About that time a serious disturbance broke out concerning the Way.

New Revised Standard Version
About that time no little disturbance broke out concerning the Way.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And at that time there was a great uprising against those who followed in the way of God.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But there was a great commotion at that time about the way of God.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And at that time there was no little excitement about that way.

Godbey New Testament
And at that time there was no small commotion concerning the way.

Haweis New Testament
And there happened at that time no small disturbance about this way.

Mace New Testament
It was then a tumult happen'd at Ephesus upon account of the christian sect.

Weymouth New Testament
Now just at that time there arose no small commotion about the new faith.

Worrell New Testament
And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.

Worsley New Testament
Now there happened at that time no small disturbance about the way which he taught.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Riot in Ephesus
22He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed for a time in the province of Asia. 23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24It began with a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business to the craftsmen.…

Cross References
Acts 16:16-19
One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment. ...

Acts 17:5-9
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...

Acts 14:4-7
The people of the city were divided. Some sided with the Jews, and others with the apostles. / But when the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, set out to mistreat and stone them, / they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region, ...

Acts 13:50
The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district.

Acts 21:27-31
When the seven days were almost over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, / crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” / For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple. ...

Acts 6:9-14
But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen, / but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. / Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” ...

Acts 4:1-3
While Peter and John were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, / greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. / They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until the next day.

Acts 5:17-18
Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out / and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

Acts 9:23-25
After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, / but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. / One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.

Acts 22:22-24
The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!” / As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air, / the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that Paul be flogged and interrogated to determine the reason for this outcry against him.

Acts 23:12-15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Acts 24:5-9
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. / but Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, ...

Acts 25:7-8
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove. / Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

Acts 26:21
For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.

Acts 28:22
But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”


Treasury of Scripture

And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

there.

2 Corinthians 1:8-10
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: …

2 Corinthians 6:9
As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

that.

Acts 19:9
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

Acts 9:2
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Acts 18:26
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Jump to Previous
Commotion Disturbance Faith Great Little New Occurred Outcry Small Stir Time Way
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Commotion Disturbance Faith Great Little New Occurred Outcry Small Stir Time Way
Acts 19
1. The Holy Spirit is given by Paul's hands.
8. The Jews blaspheme his doctrine, which is confirmed by miracles.
13. The Jewish exorcists,
16. are beaten by a man who had an evil spirit.
19. Conjuring books are burnt.
21. Demetrius, for love of gain, raises an uproar against Paul;
35. which is appeased by the town clerk.














About that time
This phrase situates the events within a specific period during Paul's third missionary journey, around 54-57 AD. It follows Paul's extensive ministry in Ephesus, a major city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its temple to Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This timing is crucial as it marks a period of significant growth and influence of the early Christian church, which was beginning to challenge established religious and economic structures.

there arose a great disturbance
The "great disturbance" refers to a significant social upheaval. Ephesus was a center of pagan worship and commerce, and the spread of Christianity threatened the local economy, particularly the trade of silver shrines of Artemis. This disturbance highlights the tension between the burgeoning Christian movement and traditional pagan practices. It also underscores the transformative impact of the Gospel, which often led to societal and cultural conflicts.

about the Way.
"The Way" is an early term used to describe the Christian faith, emphasizing the path of following Jesus Christ, who declared Himself "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). This term reflects the distinct lifestyle and beliefs of early Christians, which set them apart from both Jewish and pagan communities. The use of "the Way" indicates a movement that was not just a set of beliefs but a comprehensive way of life, challenging existing religious and social norms.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ephesus
A major city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its temple to the goddess Artemis. It was a center of commerce and religion, making it a strategic location for the spread of Christianity.

2. The Way
An early term used to describe the Christian faith and its followers. It signifies the path of life and truth that Jesus taught.

3. Demetrius
Although not mentioned in this specific verse, he is a key figure in the subsequent verses. A silversmith who made shrines of Artemis, he instigated the disturbance due to the threat Christianity posed to his trade.

4. Artemis
The Greek goddess whose temple in Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The worship of Artemis was central to Ephesian identity and economy.

5. Paul
The apostle who was spreading the message of Christianity throughout Asia Minor, including Ephesus. His teachings were causing a significant shift in religious and economic practices.
Teaching Points
The Impact of the Gospel
The spread of Christianity often disrupts societal norms and economic structures. Believers should be prepared for opposition when the gospel challenges deeply held beliefs and practices.

Faith as a Distinct Path
Christianity is not just a set of beliefs but a way of life. Followers of "The Way" are called to live distinctively, reflecting the teachings of Jesus in every aspect of life.

Courage in the Face of Opposition
Like Paul and the early Christians, believers today must stand firm in their faith, even when it leads to conflict or persecution.

Idolatry and Modern Equivalents
While the idols of ancient Ephesus were physical, modern idolatry can take many forms, such as materialism or the pursuit of success. Christians are called to identify and turn away from these idols.

Community and Support
The early church faced challenges together, supporting one another in prayer and action. Modern believers should seek community for encouragement and strength.(23) About that way.--Better, as before, the way. (See Note on Acts 9:2.)

Verse 23. - About that time for the same time, A.V.; concerning the Way for about that way, A.V. (see ver. 9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
About
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

that
ἐκεῖνον (ekeinon)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

time
καιρὸν (kairon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2540: Fitting season, season, opportunity, occasion, time. Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, i.e. Set or proper time.

a great
ὀλίγος (oligos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3641: Puny; especially neuter somewhat.

disturbance
τάραχος (tarachos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5017: A disturbance, commotion, trouble. Masculine from tarasso; a disturbance, i.e. tumult.

arose
Ἐγένετο (Egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

about
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Way.
Ὁδοῦ (Hodou)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3598: A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.


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Acts 19:22
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