3“Into what then were you baptized?” he asked them.

4Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance,19:4 Lk 3:3; Ac 13:24 telling the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus.”19:4 Mt 3:11; Jn 1:7,27; Ac 13:24–25

5When they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

6And when Paul had laid his hands on19:6 Ac 6:6; 8:17 them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began to speak in tongues19:6 Or other languages and to prophesy.19:6 Mk 16:17; Ac 2:4; 10:46

7Now there were about twelve men in all.

13Now some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I command you by the Jesus that Paul preaches!” 19:13 Mt 12:27; Mk 9:38; Lk 11:19

14Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this.

15The evil spirit answered them, “I know Jesus, and I recognize Paul — but who are you?”

16Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them, overpowered them all, and prevailed against them, so that they ran out of that house naked and wounded.

17When this became known to everyone who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, they became afraid, and the name of the Lord Jesus19:17 Ac 8:16; 19:5,13; 21:13; 1Co 6:11; Col 3:17 was held in high esteem.19:17 Ac 5:5,11; 18:19

18And many who had become believers came confessing and disclosing their practices,

19while many of those who had practiced magic19:19 Is 3:3; Ezk 13:18–20 collected their books and burned them in front of everyone. So they calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20In this way the word of the Lord spread and prevailed.19:20 Ac 6:6–7; 12:24

23About that time there was a major disturbance about the Way.19:23 Ac 9:2; 2Co 1:8

24For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen.

25When he had assembled them, as well as the workers engaged in this type of business, he said, “Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this business.

26You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this man Paul has persuaded and misled a considerable number of people by saying that gods made by hand are not gods.19:26 Dt 4:28; Ps 115:4; Is 44:10–20; Jr 10:3; Ac 17:29; 1Co 8:4; Rv 9:20

27Not only do we run a risk that our business may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be despised and her magnificence come to the verge of ruin — the very one all of Asia and the world worship.”

28When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

29So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius19:29 Rm 16:23; 1Co 1:14 and Aristarchus,19:29 Ac 20:4; 27:2; Col 4:10; Phm 24 Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions.

30Although Paul wanted to go in before the people, the disciples did not let him.

31Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to venture19:31 Lit not to give himself into the amphitheater.

32Some were shouting one thing and some another,19:32 Ac 21:34 because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.

33Some Jews in the crowd gave instructions to Alexander19:33 Or thought it was about Alexander after they pushed him to the front. Motioning with his hand, Alexander wanted to make his defense to the people.19:32–33 Ac 12:17; 21:34

34But when they recognized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

35When the city clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said, “People of Ephesus! What person is there who doesn’t know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple guardian of the great19:35 Other mss add goddess Artemis, and of the image that fell from heaven?

36Therefore, since these things are undeniable, you must keep calm and not do anything rash.

37For you have brought these men here who are not temple robbers or blasphemers of our19:37 Other mss read your goddess.

38So if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against anyone, the courts are in session, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.19:37–38 Ac 13:7; Rm 2:22

39But if you seek anything further, it must be decided in a legal assembly.

40In fact, we run a risk of being charged with rioting19:40 Mt 26:5; 27:24; Ac 17:5 for what happened today, since there is no justification that we can give as a reason for this disturbance.”

41After saying this, he dismissed the assembly.