Acts 19:31
New International Version
Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

New Living Translation
Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater.

English Standard Version
And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater.

Berean Standard Bible
Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.

Berean Literal Bible
And also some of the Asiarchs being friends to him, having sent to him, were urging him not to venture into the theatre.

King James Bible
And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

New King James Version
Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.

New American Standard Bible
Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent word to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

NASB 1995
Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

NASB 1977
And also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

Legacy Standard Bible
Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

Amplified Bible
Even some of the Asiarchs (officials) who were his friends sent word to him and repeatedly warned him not to venture into the amphitheater.

Christian Standard Bible
Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to venture into the amphitheater.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to take a chance by going into the amphitheater.

American Standard Version
And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.

Contemporary English Version
A few of the local officials were friendly to Paul, and they sent someone to warn him not to go.

English Revised Version
And certain also of the chief officers of Asia, being his friends, sent unto him, and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Even some officials who were from the province of Asia and who were Paul's friends sent messengers to urge him not to risk going into the theater.

Good News Translation
Some of the provincial authorities, who were his friends, also sent him a message begging him not to show himself in the theater.

International Standard Version
Even some officials of the province of Asia who were his friends sent him a message urging him not to risk his life in the theater.

Majority Standard Bible
Even some of Paul?s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.

NET Bible
Even some of the provincial authorities who were his friends sent a message to him, urging him not to venture into the theater.

New Heart English Bible
Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.

Webster's Bible Translation
And certain of the chief of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theater.

Weymouth New Testament
A few of the public officials, too, who were friendly to him, sent repeated messages entreating him not to venture into the Theatre.

World English Bible
Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and also some of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, having sent to him, were pleading [with] him not to venture into the theater himself.

Berean Literal Bible
And also some of the Asiarchs being friends to him, having sent to him, were urging him not to venture into the theatre.

Young's Literal Translation
and certain also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, having sent unto him, were entreating him not to venture himself into the theatre.

Smith's Literal Translation
And certain also of the chief of Asia, being friends to him, having sent to him, besought not to give himself into the theatre.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And some also of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring that he would not venture himself into the theatre.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And some of the leaders from Asia, who were his friends, also sent to him, requesting that he not present himself in the amphitheatre.

New American Bible
and even some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent word to him advising him not to venture into the theater.

New Revised Standard Version
even some officials of the province of Asia, who were friendly to him, sent him a message urging him not to venture into the theater.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And likewise some of the chiefs of Asia Minor, because they were his friends, sent to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the theatre.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Even the Rulers of Asia, because they loved him, sent and begged him not to offer himself to enter the theater.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Some of the Asiarchs also, who were friendly to him, sent to him, and besought him not to trust himself into the theater.

Godbey New Testament
and certain ones of the Asiatic rulers, also being friends to him, having sent to him, continued to entreat him not to give himself up into the theatre.

Haweis New Testament
And some of the Asiarchs also, who were his friends, sent unto him, admonishing him not to venture himself into the theatre.

Mace New Testament
but was prevented by his disciples, and by the primates of Asia, who were his friends, and sent to desire he would not venture to the theatre:

Weymouth New Testament
A few of the public officials, too, who were friendly to him, sent repeated messages entreating him not to venture into the Theatre.

Worrell New Testament
And some also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, sending to him, were beseeching him not to venture himself into the theater.

Worsley New Testament
And some also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, sent to him and desired him not to venture himself into the theatre.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Riot in Ephesus
30Paul wanted to go before the assembly, but the disciples would not allow him. 31 Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre. 32Meanwhile the assembly was in turmoil. Some were shouting one thing and some another, and most of them did not even know why they were there.…

Cross References
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 16:19-24
When the girl’s owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace. / They brought them to the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews and are throwing our city into turmoil / by promoting customs that are unlawful for us Romans to adopt or practice.” ...

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 13:50-51
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. / So they shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.

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 21:30-36
The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. / While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. / Immediately he took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ...

Acts 23:12-24
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 25:2-3
where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus / to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

Acts 27:42-43
The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners so none of them could swim to freedom. / But the centurion, wanting to spare Paul’s life, thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.

2 Corinthians 11:32-33
In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me. / But I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his grasp.

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews, / who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, / hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.

Matthew 10:23
When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

John 7:1
After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him.

John 11:53-54
So from that day on they plotted to kill Him. / As a result, Jesus no longer went about publicly among the Jews, but He withdrew to a town called Ephraim in an area near the wilderness. And He stayed there with the disciples.


Treasury of Scripture

And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent to him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

the chief.

Acts 19:10
And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Acts 16:6
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

desiring.

Acts 21:12
And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Jump to Previous
Adventure Asia Begged Begging Besought Chief Danger Desiring Entreating Few Friendly Friends Message Messages Officials Paul Province Public Repeated Repeatedly Requesting Seriously Theater Theatre Throw Urged Venture
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Adventure Asia Begged Begging Besought Chief Danger Desiring Entreating Few Friendly Friends Message Messages Officials Paul Province Public Repeated Repeatedly Requesting Seriously Theater Theatre Throw Urged Venture
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.














Even some of Paul’s friends
This phrase highlights the social connections Paul had established during his missionary journeys. The Greek word for "friends" here is "φίλοι" (philoi), indicating close companions or associates. In the context of the early church, these friendships were crucial for the spread of the Gospel. Paul's ability to form such bonds reflects the Christian principle of fellowship and community, which is emphasized throughout the New Testament. These relationships were not just personal but also strategic for the mission of the church.

who were officials of the province
The term "officials" is translated from the Greek "ἀσιάρχαι" (asiarchai), referring to high-ranking public officials in the Roman province of Asia. These individuals were influential and held significant power, often involved in the administration of public games and religious festivals. The fact that Paul had friends among such officials suggests the reach and impact of his ministry. It also indicates that the Gospel was penetrating various levels of society, including those in positions of authority, which is a testament to the transformative power of the Christian message.

sent word to him
This phrase implies a sense of urgency and concern. The Greek verb "πέμπω" (pempo) means to send or dispatch, often used in contexts where communication is critical. The officials' decision to send a message to Paul underscores the seriousness of the situation in Ephesus and their genuine care for his well-being. It reflects the protective nature of Christian fellowship, where believers look out for one another, especially in times of danger.

begging him not to venture into the theater
The word "begging" comes from the Greek "παρακαλέω" (parakaleo), which means to urge, exhort, or entreat. This strong appeal shows the intensity of their concern for Paul. The "theater" in Ephesus was a large amphitheater used for public gatherings, capable of holding thousands of people. Historically, it was a place of significant civic activity, and at this time, it was the center of a riot against Paul and his companions. The officials' plea for Paul to avoid the theater highlights the potential for violence and the precariousness of his situation. It serves as a reminder of the opposition faced by early Christians and the courage required to stand firm in their faith.

(31) And certain of the chiefs of Asia, which were his friends.--Better, Asiarchs. The title was an official one, applied to the presidents of the games, who were selected from the chief cities of the province. The office was an annual one. They were ten in number, and the proconsul nominated one of them as president. Their duties led them now to one city, now to another, according as games or festivals were held, now at Ephesus, now at Colophon, or Smyrna. As connected both with the theatre and with the worship of Artemis, they were probably officially informed of the occasion of the tumult. If, as seems probable from 1Corinthians 5:6-8, that Epistle was written at, or about, the time of the Passover, we may place the tumult at some period in the spring, when the people were keeping or expecting the great festival in honour of Artemis, in the month, named after the goddess, Artemision, spreading over parts of April and May (Boeckh. Corp. Inscript. Graec. 2954), and were therefore more than usually open to excited appeals like that of Demetrius. This would also account for the presence of the Asiarchs at Ephesus.

There is something significant in the fact that the Asiarchs were St. Paul's friends. The manliness, tact, and courtesy which tempered his zeal and boldness, seem always to have gained for him the respect of men in authority: Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:7), Gallio (Acts 18:14-17), Festus and Agrippa (Acts 25:9; Acts 26:28; Acts 26:32), the centurion Julius (Acts 27:3; Acts 27:43). The Asiarchs, too, from different motives, took the same course as the disciples. They knew that his appearance would only excite the passions of the crowd, be perilous to himself, and increase the disturbance in the city. . . .

Verse 31. - Certain also for certain, A.V. (the more natural order would be, and certain of the chief officers of Asia also); chief officers for chief, A.V.; being for which were, A.V.; and besought him not to for desiring him that he would not, A.V. Chief Officers of Asia. The Greek word is Asiarchs (Ἀσιάρχαι). The Asiarchs, ten in number, were officers annually chosen from all the cities of Proconsular Asia, to preside over all sacred rites, and to provide at their own expense the pub-lie games in honor of the gods and of the deity of the emperor. This necessitated their being men of high rank and great wealth, and Schleusner adds that they were priests. The name Asiarch is formed like Luciarchai, Syriarchai, Phoenicharchai, etc. We have here another striking proof of the enormous influence of Paul's preaching in Asia, that some of these very officers who were chosen to preside over the sacred rites of the gods, and to advance their honor by public games, were now on Paul's side.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

some
τινὲς (tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

of
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

[Paul’s]
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.

friends
φίλοι (philoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5384: Friendly; subst: a friend, an associate. Properly, dear, i.e. A friend; actively, fond, i.e. Friendly.

who were
ὄντες (ontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

officials of the province of Asia
Ἀσιαρχῶν (Asiarchōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 775: From Asia and arche; an Asiarch or president of the public festivities in a city of Asia Minor.

sent word
πέμψαντες (pempsantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3992: To send, transmit, permit to go, put forth.

to him,
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

begging
παρεκάλουν (parekaloun)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3870: From para and kaleo; to call near, i.e. Invite, invoke.

him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 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.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

to venture
δοῦναι (dounai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

theatre.
θέατρον (theatron)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2302: From theaomai; a place for public show, i.e. General audience-room; by implication, a show itself.


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NT Apostles: Acts 19:31 Certain also of the Asiarchs being his (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 19:30
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