Riot In Ephesus; Acts 19:23 – 41 Part 4

Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57

What followed was the proceedings of a mob under the power of these resentments, and how far they were carried. They laid hands on some of Paul's companions, and hurried them into the theater. Some think they planned to make them fight with beasts, as Paul had sometimes done. Perhaps they intended only to abuse them, and to make them a spectacle to the crowd. Those whom they seized were Gaius and Aristarchus, both of whom we read about elsewhere. Gaius was of Derbe, (Acts 20:4). Aristarchus is also there spoken of, (Colossians 4:10). They came with Paul from Macedonia, and this was their only crime, that they were Paul's companions in travel, both in services and sufferings.
Paul had escaped being seized by them. When he realized that his friends were in distress for his sake, he wanted to go to the people, to sacrifice himself, if there were no other remedy. He would rather do this than have his friends suffer on his account; this was an evidence of a generous spirit, and that he loved his neighbor as himself.

He was persuaded not to do it by the kindness of his friends, who overruled him. Others of his friends intervened, to prevent his throwing himself into the mouth of danger. They would treat him much worse than Gaius and Aristarchus, looking upon him as the ringleader of the party; and therefore it was better to let them bear the brunt of the storm.

The mob was in a state of confusion. Some cried one thing and some another, according as their own interests, and perhaps what they had heard. Some cried, Down with the Jews; others, Down with Paul; but the assembly was confused, as not understanding one another's intentions. They contradicted one another, and most didn’t even know why they were there.

The Jews were not as interested in this turmoil as they had been in other places where they started it themselves. Here at Ephesus they had did not have enough interest to incite the mob, but when it was started, they had ill-will enough to join in. They called upon Alexander to speak on the behalf of the Jews against Paul and his companions. They viewed as necessary in their own defense, and therefore what he said is called his apologizing to the people, not for himself in particular, but for the Jews in general, whom the worshippers of Diana looked upon to be as much their enemies as Paul was. Now they wanted them know that they were as much Paul's enemies as they were. Some think this Alexander had been a Christian, but had apostatized to Judaism, and therefore was drawn out as a proper person to accuse Paul; and that he was the Alexander the coppersmith that did Paul so much evil (2Timothy 4:14), and whom he had delivered unto Satan, (1Timothy 1:20).