Acts 19:38

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

If Demetrius - have a matter against any man - If it be any breach of law, in reference to Demetrius and the artists, the law is open, αγοραιοι αγονται ; these are the terms of law, public courts, times of sessions or assize; or, rather, the judges are mow sitting: so the words may be understood. And there are deputies, ανθυπατοι, proconsuls, appointed to guard the peace of the state, and to support every honest man in his right: let them implead one another; let the one party bring forward his action of assault or trespass, and the other put in his defense: the laws are equal and impartial, and justice will be done to him who is wronged.

Was this helpful?

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Have a matter against any man - Have a complaint of injury; if injustice has been done them by anyone.

The law is open - See the margin. Ἀγόραιοι Agoraioi ἄγονται agontaithat is, ἡμέραι . There are court-days; days which are open, or appointed for judicial trials, where such matters can be determined in a proper manner. Perhaps the courts were then held, and the matter might be immediately determined.

And there are deputies - Roman proconsuls. See the notes on Acts 13:7. The cause might be brought before them with the certainty that it would be heard and decided. The Syriac reads this in the singular number “Lo, the proconsul is in the city.”

Let them implead one another - Let them accuse each other in the court. The laws are equal, and impartial justice will be done.

Was this helpful?

Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The Jews came forward in this tumult. Those who are thus careful to distinguish themselves from the servants of Christ now, and are afraid of being taken for them, shall have their doom accordingly in the great day. One, having authority, at length stilled the noise. It is a very good rule at all times, both in private and public affairs, not to be hasty and rash in our motions, but to take time to consider; and always to keep our passions under check. We ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly; to do nothing in haste, of which we may repent at leisure. The regular methods of the law ought always to stop popular tumults, and in well-governed nations will do so. Most people stand in awe of men's judgments more than of the judgement of God. How well it were if we would thus quiet our disorderly appetites and passions, by considering the account we must shortly give to the Judge of heaven and earth! And see how the overruling providence of God keeps the public peace, by an unaccountable power over the spirits of men. Thus the world is kept in some order, and men are held back from devouring each other. We can scarcely look around but we see men act like Demetrius and the workmen. It is as safe to contend with wild beasts as with men enraged by party zeal and disappointed covetousness, who think that all arguments are answered, when they have shown that they grow rich by the practices which are opposed. Whatever side in religious disputes, or whatever name this spirit assumes, it is worldly, and should be discountenanced by all who regard truth and piety. And let us not be dismayed; the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters; he can still the rage of the people.

Was this helpful?

SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

38. Have a matter. That is, if any have any specific charges, let them bring them forth. If matters were as they claimed, there might be grounds for legal action. But there was no excuse for the riot staged by the coppersmith and his friends.

The law is open. This translation gives the general sense. The Greek words are in the plural and can mean either “court days are appointed”â€”that is, there are proper times fixed when such cases can be heardâ€”or perhaps better, because the tense of the verb implies that the opportunity of legal action is even now open, “court meetings are now going on.” This sense the RSV adopted by translating “the courts are open.”

Deputies. Gr. anthupatoi, “proconsuls” (cf. chs. 13:7, 8, 12; 18:12, where “proconsul” is also the correct translation). Asia was a proconsular province (see on ch. 6:9). The difficulty in the present passage arises from the use of the plural number, for there was only one proconsul over a province at one time, and hence only one in Ephesus when the town clerk was speaking. There are several explanations: (1) The assessors (consiliarii) of the proconsul may properly have been described as “deputies.” (2) The clerk may have been reminding the people of the provision made by the institutions of the empire for obtaining justice in the case of wrong, as though he were saying, “Proconsuls are an imperial institution. In every province like ours there exists such a supreme magistrate, and so there is no fear about obtaining redress for real injuries.” (3) Silanus the proconsul had recently been poisoned (Tacitus Annals xiii. 1), and Celer and Helius, who had charge of imperial business in Asia, might be intended by this plural title. (4) There might have been present in Ephesus some other proconsul from a neighboring province, as Cilicia, Cyprus, Bithynia, or elsewhere. The second of the four explanations seems the more plausible.

Implead. Gr. egkaleÅÂ, “to bring a charge,” “to make an accusation.” Demetrius and his followers should lodge a formal statement of the charge they were bringing against the accused. The accused would put in a rejoinder, and with the issue thus joined, each side would produce its witnesses.

Was this helpful?

Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 291-7

This chapter is based on Acts 19:21-41; 20:1.

For over three years Ephesus was the center of Paul's work. A flourishing church was raised up here, and from this city the gospel spread throughout the province of Asia, among both Jews and Gentiles. AA 291.1

Read in context »

Was this helpful?

Cross References

have

Acts 18:14

Deuteronomy 17:8

1 Corinthians 6:1

Paul's Journeys

The Third Missionary Journey of Paul

BibleTools.info

Bible Verse Explanations and Resources

Acts 19:38