The next few articles are from Acts 19. Although this chapter documents a number of events as more or less a continuous account, this “mini-series” isn’t intended to cover all of them, so I encourage you to read that chapter – in its entirety – on your own. However, a common thread throughout most of this chapter is the location of Ephesus (and the “province of Asia” [see v.22, NIV]).
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples
Acts 19:1 NIV
The location of ancient Ephesus is in modern-day Turkey [Türkiye], a few miles inland from the Aegean Sea to its west [ref. Wonders of the World – Wikipedia, Selçuk – Wikipedia, Aegean Sea – Bing Maps]
Now, for those who have spent time reading and listening to accounts and lessons from the Bible, we might recognize the city of Ephesus from the book of Ephesians. However, Ephesus is also the location of one of the “seven wonders of the ancient world”. The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of those wonders, along with the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, and others. [Ref. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – WorldAtlas]
Just to give you an idea of the dimensions of this temple, it appears to have been a little bigger than an American football field, and about three or four stories high, made of marble. [Temple of Artemis – Wikipedia]
As we have seen previously, the distribution of good news about Jesus in a New Testament city often begins in Jewish houses of worship, from the Temple in Jerusalem to synagogues in Cyprus. Paul’s visit to Ephesus is similar in this respect. And, as also happened elsewhere, there is resistance to the good news about Jesus.
Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
Acts 19:8-10 NIV
I like how the NASB translation (in a footnote on the term, “the Way”, in verse 9) refers us back to John 14:6. In the early days, followers of Jesus were sometimes known as followers of “the Way”, and that makes sense, since this was a name that Jesus identified Himself by. Today, we probably call ourselves “Christians” or “followers of Jesus”, and that’s also good when it points people back to Jesus Christ.
Note who was pushing back, here: those who “became obstinate” [NIV], or “were becoming hardened and disobedient” [NASB]. This seems to be an intentional resistance to the truth, from those who were choosing to not let the truth sink into their hearts.
Do you remember how the persecution in Saul’s earlier life forced believers in Jesus to move outside of Jerusalem, resulting in the good news being shared with others? (See Acts 8:1-4, for instance) Now, Paul – the same guy we know as Saul – is being driven away from the synagogue in Ephesus, but this results in the gospel being shared with more people over time. I wonder if he noticed the irony?
Depending on your translation, those who “heard the Word of the Lord” might be listed as living in “Asia” [NASB], the “province of Asia” [NIV], “Asia Minor” [TLB, NIRV], or some footnoted variations. This was the first century, so we aren’t saying that the entire continent of modern-day Asia was witnessed to from the European city of Ephesus, but the province referred to at that time as Asia was certainly something that could be fully reached.
At first, I wondered if Luke was using a little hyperbole here, when he wrote that “all the Jews and Greeks” [see v.10, NIV] heard this word. I think that it would be within his literary license if “practically” all of the people in this region heard it, but then I got to thinking: this was probably a big deal, and without the noise of a thousand modern information and entertainment streams to fill our minds, word of mouth could have spread throughout the entire region, especially after two years.
So, the good news is getting out widely, which is a good thing for the people of this region. Let’s continue in the next article (or, you are welcome to read ahead, of course) to see what happens when the truth makes progress in a fallen world.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for November 19, 2023
References:
- The Lookout, November 19, 2023, © 2023 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
- New Testament History: A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Acts, by Gareth L. Reese. © 1976, College Press Publishing Company.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Acts, by Dennis Gaertner. © 1993 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 