Acts 19:40

 Thursday, 31 August 2023

“For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” Acts 19:40

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The text more literally reads, “For also we are in danger of being accused of insurrection concerning today. There being no cause about which we will be able to give a reason concerning this conspiracy” (CG).

The recorder at Ephesus made his statement and then told those listening that if they had any grievance, they should take it up in a lawful assembly. That being said, it implies that the gathering was unlawfully assembled. He confirms that now, beginning with, “For also we.”

He includes himself in the matter at hand. He is an official in the city, the city has gone into an uproar, and he has entered the place where it occurred. He could, therefore, potentially be considered a part of the uproar. As such, he continues that they, including him, “are in danger.”

The authority of Rome was not to be questioned. Unlawful assemblies could be considered a lack of control. Any lack of control over the people could become a movement. Any movement could become a threat to the power of the empire. Therefore, such things were considered intolerable. In this case, he says the result could be “of being accused of insurrection concerning today.”

The recorder’s words now bring in a possible ironic turn of events that could result from this mob. The word he translated as “being accused” is the same word just seen in 19:38. The entire assembly, including Demetrius and those gathered with him, are being reminded that they may end up as defendants and not plaintiffs.

If so, the results might be even worse than they could imagine. They had almost organized a lynching, but it might be they who were to be executed. Albert Barnes notes –

“Popular commotions were justly dreaded by the Roman government; and such an assembly as this, convened without any good cause, would not escape their notice. There was a Roman law which made it capital for anyone to be engaged in promoting a riot. ‘He who raises a mob, let him be punished with death.’”

Even if this didn't occur, the privileges of the city could be restricted, such as we have today with curfews and the like. The Romans did not appreciate such disobedience. The recorder was fully aware of this and next says, “There being no cause about which we will be able to give a reason.”

In other words, if the authorities heard of this gathering and came to Ephesus, there would be a hearing to determine what occurred. Even if the exact reason was discovered, which has already been described by Luke, it would not be a valid reason for the uproar. Somebody would be held accountable, and others would probably be implicated as well “concerning this conspiracy.”

In holding a hearing and finding those responsible, it is probable that charges would be made. If so, and it was quite possible under Roman law, there would be no reasonable defense. The word translated as “conspiracy” is sustrophé - a twisting together, hence a conspiracy. It speaks of anything rolled or twisted into a mass. In this case, a mass of people with an underlying sense of confusion, and thus a mob. The word is found only here and in Acts 23:12.

Life application: The words and actions of the recorder in this section of Acts could be compared with Gamaliel of the Sanhedrin in Acts 5. He was able to calm the crowd and use a logical defense of the situation at hand –

Gamaliel: “Men of Israel” / logical defense / conclusion – fighting against God.

Recorder: “Men of Ephesus” / logical defense / conclusion – fighting against Roman authority.

As such, there is a palpable irony between the two accounts. Gamaliel said that if the Way was of human origin, it would fade away, but if it was of God, it would endure. In this account, the recorder says that the whole world was aware of the divine source of their religion, and yet it eventually faded away.

The point of this is that in the world of faithful Christians, there are – at times – moments where it seems all is lost, and the faith is being overcome. This was the state of things several times in vast swaths of Christian-controlled areas. Wars seemed to threaten the very existence of the faith.

Likewise, in the world today, there is so much apostasy from the true faith that it seems as if those who are properly following the word of God are being pushed out by those who have completely departed from it. But this should not concern us. We have been told, in advance, that this time would come.

Eventually, the Lord will descend, and His faithful will be gathered to Him. He is not going to allow His faithful followers to be completely overwhelmed before that day comes. Until then, He expects us to hold fast to Him and His word, keep sharing the good news about what He has done, and remain encouraged even in a world filled with discouragement. Let us do so because a great Day lies ahead for those who are His faithful followers.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the sure hope we possess. Our faith is not built on fantasy but on the truth of who You are and what You have done to bring us back to Yourself. As the world devolves around us, we can remain confident and cheerful that there is an end to wickedness. A new and glorious Day lies ahead. May that Day be soon! Amen.