The Holy Spirit Received at Ephesus (Acts 10:44–48)
1 CPDV Now it happened that, while Apollo was at Corinth, Paul, after he had journeyed through the upper regions, arrived at Ephesus. And he met with certain disciples. BSB BSB: While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples
2 CPDV And he said to them, “After believing, have you received the Holy Spirit?” But they said to him, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” BSB BSB: and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” “No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 CPDV Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.” BSB BSB: “Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they replied.
4 CPDV Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” BSB BSB: Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
5 CPDV Upon hearing these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. BSB BSB: On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 CPDV And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came over them. And they were speaking in tongues and prophesying. BSB BSB: And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
7 CPDV Now the men were about twelve in all. BSB BSB: There were about twelve men in all.
Paul Ministers in Ephesus (Ephesians 1:1–2; Revelation 2:1–7)
8 CPDV Then, upon entering the synagogue, he was speaking faithfully for three months, disputing and persuading them about the kingdom of God. BSB BSB: Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.
9 CPDV But when certain ones became hardened and would not believe, cursing the Way of the Lord in the presence of the multitude, Paul, withdrawing from them, separated the disciples, disputing daily in a certain school of Tyrannus. BSB BSB: But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
10 CPDV Now this was done throughout two years, so that all who were living in Asia listened to the Word of the Lord, both Jews and Gentiles. BSB BSB: This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.
11 CPDV And God was accomplishing powerful and uncommon miracles by the hand of Paul, BSB BSB: God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul,
12 CPDV so much so that even when small cloths and wrappings were brought from his body to the sick, the illnesses withdrew from them and the wicked spirits departed. BSB BSB: so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them.
Seven Sons of Sceva 13 CPDV Then, even some of the traveling Jewish exorcists had attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I bind you by oath through Jesus, whom Paul preaches.” BSB BSB: Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.”
14 CPDV And there were certain Jews, the seven sons of Sceva, leaders among the priests, who were acting in this way. BSB BSB: Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this.
15 CPDV But a wicked spirit responded by saying to them: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know. But who are you?” BSB BSB: But one day the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
16 CPDV And the man, in whom there was a wicked spirit, leaping at them and getting the better of them both, prevailed against them, so that they fled from that house, naked and wounded. BSB BSB: Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. The attack was so violent that they ran out of the house naked and wounded.
17 CPDV And so, this became known to all the Jews and Gentiles who were living at Ephesus. And a fear fell over them all. And the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. BSB BSB: This became known to all the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and fear came over all of them. So the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.
19 CPDV Then many of those who had followed odd sects brought together their books, and they burned them in the sight of all. And after determining the value of these, they found the price to be fifty thousand denarii. BSB BSB: And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.
20 CPDV In this way, the Word of God was increasing strongly and was being confirmed. BSB BSB: So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail.
The Riot in Ephesus 21 CPDV Then, when these things were completed, Paul decided in the Spirit, after crossing through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “Then, after I have been there, it is necessary for me to see Rome also.” BSB BSB: After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”
22 CPDV But sending two of those who were ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, he himself remained for a time in Asia. BSB BSB: He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed for a time in the province of Asia.
23 CPDV Now at that time, there occurred no small disturbance concerning the Way of the Lord. BSB BSB: About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.
25 CPDV And calling them together, with those who were employed in the same way, he said: “Men, you know that our income is from this craft. BSB BSB: Demetrius assembled the craftsmen, along with the workmen in related trades. “Men,” he said, “you know that this business is our source of prosperity.
26 CPDV And you are seeing and hearing that this man Paul, by persuasion, has turned away a great multitude, not only from Ephesus, but from nearly all of Asia, saying, ‘These things are not gods which have been made by hands.’ BSB BSB: And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all.
27 CPDV Thus, not only is this, our occupation, in danger of being brought into repudiation, but also the temple of the great Diana will be reputed as nothing! Then even her majesty, whom all of Asia and the world worships, will begin to be destroyed.” BSB BSB: There is danger not only that our business will fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited and her majesty deposed—she who is worshiped by all the province of Asia and the whole world.”
28 CPDV Upon hearing this, they were filled with anger, and they cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” BSB BSB: When the men heard this, they were enraged and began shouting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
30 CPDV Then, when Paul wanted to enter to the people, the disciples would not permit him. BSB BSB: Paul wanted to go before the assembly, but the disciples would not allow him.
31 CPDV And some of the leaders from Asia, who were his friends, also sent to him, requesting that he not present himself in the amphitheater. BSB BSB: 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.
32 CPDV But others were crying out various things. For the assembly was in confusion, and most did not know the reason they had been called together. BSB BSB: Meanwhile 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.
33 CPDV So they dragged Alexander from the crowd, while the Jews were propelling him forward. And Alexander, gesturing with his hand for silence, wanted to give the people an explanation. BSB BSB: The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people.
34 CPDV But as soon as they realized him to be a Jew, all with one voice, for about two hours, were crying out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” BSB BSB: But when they realized that he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
36 CPDV Therefore, since these things are not able to be contradicted, it is necessary for you to be calm and to do nothing rash. BSB BSB: Since these things are undeniable, you ought to be calm and not do anything rash.
37 CPDV For you have brought forward these men, who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers against your goddess. BSB BSB: For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess.
38 CPDV But if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a case against anyone, they can convene in the courts, and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse one another. BSB BSB: So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there.
39 CPDV But if you would inquire about other things, this can be decided in a lawful assembly. BSB BSB: But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it must be settled in a legal assembly.
40 CPDV For now we are in peril of being convicted of sedition over today’s events, since there is no one guilty (against whom we are able to provide evidence) in this gathering.” And when he had said this, he dismissed the assembly. BSB BSB: For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.