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Paul wants to speak to the crowd, but the disciples see the frenzy and know Paul would be
killed before he could speak.

Act 19:31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he
would not venture into the theater.

Paul has friends in high places. These are born again, Spirit-filled aristocrats who are powerful
in the government of Ephesus. They have been saved under Paul’s ministry and are protecting
him from the mob. They also know this is not a matter for Paul but for the authorities.

Act 19:32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused,
and most of them did not know why they had come together.

Meanwhile, back at the theater, the mob has gained many followers and everyone is confused
as to what is happening. They are all shouting different things because they are being
controlled and ruled by their emotions. Most of them do not even know why they are there.
They shout along with the rest of the mob, but do not know about Demetrius or Paul.

ALEXANDER FAILS TO QUIET THE CROWD

Act 19:33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And
Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.

Religion is always afraid of mobs but will use them if necessary. Alexander is an excellent
lawyer. The Jews hope he can still the mob. He fails when the crowd recognizes he is a Jew.
He had previously been a coppersmith and a brilliantly evil man. Paul warned Timothy about
him (2 Timothy 4:14). Alexander tries to quiet the people with his hand, but the people cry
even more loudly and longer.

Act 19:34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about
two hours, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"

At the moment, national pride is high and their goddess, Diana, is in question. A Jew is not who
they want to hear from. A mob will often shout and use noise to cover the real issue.

THE TOWN CLERK SPEAKS

Act 19:35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: "Men of Ephesus, what man
is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great
goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?

And when the town clerk (mayor) had appeased (silenced) the people, he said, Ye men (aner:
noble men) of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians
is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?