Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. New Living Translation “If Demetrius and the craftsmen have a case against them, the courts are in session and the officials can hear the case at once. Let them make formal charges. English Standard Version If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. Berean Standard Bible So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there. Berean Literal Bible So if indeed Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a matter against anyone, courts are conducted, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. King James Bible Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. New King James Version Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. New American Standard Bible So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; have them bring charges against one another. NASB 1995 “So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. NASB 1977 “So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. Legacy Standard Bible So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another. Amplified Bible So then, if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are in session and proconsuls are available; let them bring charges against one another there. Christian Standard Bible So 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. Holman Christian Standard Bible So 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. American Standard Version If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. Contemporary English Version If Demetrius and his workers have a case against these men, we have courts and judges. Let them take their complaints there. English Revised Version If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. GOD'S WORD® Translation If Demetrius and the men who work for him have a legal complaint against anyone, we have special days and officials to hold court. That's where they should bring charges against each other. Good News Translation If Demetrius and his workers have an accusation against anyone, we have the authorities and the regular days for court; charges can be made there. International Standard Version So if Demetrius and his workers have a charge against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They should accuse one another there. Majority Standard Bible So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there. NET Bible If then Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against someone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one another there. New Heart English Bible If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another. Webster's Bible Translation Wherefore, if Demetrius and the artificers who are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. Weymouth New Testament If, however, Demetrius and the mechanics who support his contention have a grievance against any one, there are Assize-days and there are Proconsuls: let the persons interested accuse one another. World English Bible If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionif indeed, therefore, Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a matter with anyone, court [days] are held, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. Berean Literal Bible So if indeed Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a matter against anyone, courts are conducted, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. Young's Literal Translation if indeed, therefore, Demetrius and the artificers with him with any one have a matter, court days are held, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. Smith's Literal Translation If truly therefore Demetrius, and the artificers with him, have a word against any, the court days are kept, and there are proconsuls; let them prosecute one another. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut if Demetrius and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts of justice are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. Catholic Public Domain Version But if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against anyone, they can convene in the courts, and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse one another. New American Bible If Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, courts are in session, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. New Revised Standard Version If therefore Demetrius and the artisans with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges there against one another. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut if De-me’tri-us and the men of his trade have a case against any man, behold there is a proconsul in the city; let the craftsmen come forward and settle with one another in the court. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “But if this Demetrius and the fellows of his trade have a judgment with any, behold, the Proconsuls of the city are skilled; let them approach and dispute one with another.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentTherefore, if Demetrius, and the artists who are with him, have a charge against any one, the courts are in session, and the proconsuls are there; let them accuse each other. Godbey New Testament If indeed therefore Demetrius, and the mechanics along with him, have a charge against any one, the courts are in session, and there are lawyers: let them implead one another. Haweis New Testament If then indeed Demetrius and the artificers that are with him have a charge against any man, the courts are held, and there are proconsuls: let them implead one another. Mace New Testament if Demetrius and the other artists, that are with him, can lay their action against any man, the law is open, and the proconsul is near; let them begin their process. Weymouth New Testament If, however, Demetrius and the mechanics who support his contention have a grievance against any one, there are Assize-days and there are Proconsuls: let the persons interested accuse one another. Worrell New Testament If, indeed, therefore, Demetrius and the artisans with him have a matter against any one, court-days are held, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. Worsley New Testament If Demetrius therefore, and the artificers that are with him, have a charge against any one, the law-courts are open, and there are Roman proconsuls likewise: let them implead one another. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Riot in Ephesus…37For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess. 38So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there. 39But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it must be settled in a legal assembly.… Cross References Romans 13:1-4 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ... 1 Peter 2:13-14 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. Matthew 5:25 Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ... Proverbs 25:8-9 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? / Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, Deuteronomy 16:18 You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. Exodus 18:21-22 Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. / Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you. 2 Chronicles 19:5-7 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. / Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” Luke 12:58-59 Make every effort to reconcile with your adversary while you are on your way to the magistrate. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and the officer may throw you into prison. / I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.” Titus 3:1 Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, Ecclesiastes 8:2-5 Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God. / Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. / For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?” ... Jeremiah 22:3 This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Job 29:7-17 When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square, / the young men saw me and withdrew, and the old men rose to their feet. / The princes refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands. ... Treasury of Scripture Why if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them accuse one another. Demetrius. Acts 19:24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; have. Acts 18:14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: Deuteronomy 17:8 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; 1 Corinthians 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? the law is open. Jump to Previous Artificers Artisans Cause Charges Complaint Contention Court Courts Craftsmen Demetrius Deputies Fellow Grievance Held However Judges Law Matter Mechanics Open Persons Press Protest Session Support Wherefore WorkmenJump to Next Artificers Artisans Cause Charges Complaint Contention Court Courts Craftsmen Demetrius Deputies Fellow Grievance Held However Judges Law Matter Mechanics Open Persons Press Protest Session Support Wherefore WorkmenActs 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. So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen This phrase introduces us to Demetrius, a silversmith in Ephesus, who is mentioned earlier in Acts 19 as a key figure opposing Paul’s ministry. The Greek name "Demetrius" is derived from "Demeter," the goddess of the harvest, which is fitting given his role in crafting idols for the goddess Artemis. The "fellow craftsmen" refers to those who shared in the trade of making silver shrines, indicating a guild or association of artisans. Historically, such guilds were common in ancient cities, often wielding significant economic and social influence. This context highlights the tension between the burgeoning Christian movement and established economic interests tied to pagan worship. have a complaint against anyone the courts are open and proconsuls are available Let them bring charges against one another There are deputies.--The Greek word is (as in Acts 13:7; Acts 18:12) the equivalent for proconsul. Strictly speaking, there was only one proconsul in each province, and we must therefore assume either that here also the expression is colloquial, or that the assessors (consiliarii) of the proconsul were popularly so described, or that some peculiar combination of circumstances had led to there being two persons at this time at Ephesus clothed with proconsular authority. There are some grounds for adopting the last alternative. Junius Silanus, who was Proconsul of Asia when St. Paul arrived in Ephesus (A.D. 54), had been poisoned by Celer and Helius, the two procurators, at the instigation of Agrippina; and it seems probable that they for a time held a joint proconsular authority. Let them implead one another.--The English word exactly expresses the technical force of the Greek. Demetrius and his followers were to lodge a formal statement of the charge they brought against the accused. They in their turn were to put in a rejoinder, and so joining issue, each side would produce its witnesses. Verse 38. - If therefore for wherefore if, A.V.; that for which, A.V.; the courts are for the law is, A.V.; proconsuls for deputies, A.V.; accuse for implead, A.V. Against any man. Mark the skill with which the town-clerk passes from the concrete to the abstract, and avoids the mention of Paul's name. The courts are open; ἀγοραῖοι (or ἀγόραιοι) ἄγονται. Some supply the word σύνοδοι, and make the sense "judicial assemblies," "sessions," coming round at proper fixed intervals. But the verb ἄγονται, more naturally suggests ἡμέραι, as Bengel says (ἄγειν γενέσια τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς σκηνοπηγίας: Ὀλύμπια: γενέθλιον, etc.), and then the meaning is, "The regular court-days are kept, when the proconsul attends to try causes;" there is no need to have an irregular trial. So Suidas explains it, Ἡμέρα ἐνῇ ἡ ἀγορὰ. There are proconsuls. Bengel, with whom Meyer agrees, thinks the plural denotes the unbroken succession of proconsuls. But Lewin thinks it may mark the exact time of these transactions as being immediately after the poisoning of the Proconsul Junius Silanus by order of Agrippina, when the two procurators, Celer and AElius, exercised the proconsular power till the appointment of another proconsul, according to a law of Claudius to that effect. Others have other explanations.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Soοὖν (oun) Conjunction Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. if Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. Demetrius Δημήτριος (Dēmētrios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1216: Demetrius, a silversmith of Ephesus. From Demeter; Demetrius, the name of an Ephesian and of a Christian. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. his fellow αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. craftsmen τεχνῖται (technitai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 5079: A craftsman, artisan, architect, builder. From techne; an artisan; figuratively, a founder. have ἔχουσι (echousi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. a complaint λόγον (logon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. against πρός (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. anyone, τινα (tina) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. [the] courts ἀγοραῖοι (agoraioi) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural Strong's 60: From agora; relating to the market-place, i.e. Forensic; by implication, vulgar. are open ἄγονται (agontai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 71: A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. proconsuls ἀνθύπατοί (anthypatoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 446: A proconsul. From anti and a superlative of huper; instead of the highest officer, i.e. a Roman proconsul. are available. εἰσιν (eisin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. Let them bring charges against ἐγκαλείτωσαν (enkaleitōsan) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1458: To bring a charge against, accuse. From en and kaleo; to call in, i.e. Bring to account. one another [ there ]. ἀλλήλοις (allēlois) Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 240: One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another. Links Acts 19:38 NIVActs 19:38 NLT Acts 19:38 ESV Acts 19:38 NASB Acts 19:38 KJV Acts 19:38 BibleApps.com Acts 19:38 Biblia Paralela Acts 19:38 Chinese Bible Acts 19:38 French Bible Acts 19:38 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 19:38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |