Acts 19:27
So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μέρος
craft
G3313
μέρος
craft
Strong's:
G3313
Word #:
8 of 37
a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)
εἰς
at
G1519
εἰς
at
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
9 of 37
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἐλθεῖν
to be set
G2064
ἐλθεῖν
to be set
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
11 of 37
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
12 of 37
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μεγάλης
of the great
G3173
μεγάλης
of the great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
16 of 37
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
Ἀρτέμιδος
Diana
G735
Ἀρτέμιδος
Diana
Strong's:
G735
Word #:
18 of 37
prompt; artemis, the name of a grecian goddess borrowed by the asiatics for one of their deities
ἱερὸν
that the temple
G2411
ἱερὸν
that the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
19 of 37
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
εἰς
at
G1519
εἰς
at
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
20 of 37
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
οὐδὲν
G3762
οὐδὲν
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
21 of 37
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
λογισθῆναι
G3049
λογισθῆναι
Strong's:
G3049
Word #:
22 of 37
to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)
μέλλειν
should
G3195
μέλλειν
should
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
23 of 37
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καθαιρεῖσθαι
be destroyed
G2507
καθαιρεῖσθαι
be destroyed
Strong's:
G2507
Word #:
26 of 37
to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively)
τήν
G3588
τήν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῆς
her
G846
αὐτῆς
her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
29 of 37
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἣν
whom
G3739
ἣν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
30 of 37
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὅλη
all
G3650
ὅλη
all
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
31 of 37
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
32 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἀσία
Asia
G773
Ἀσία
Asia
Strong's:
G773
Word #:
33 of 37
asia, i.e., asia minor, or (usually) only its western shore
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
34 of 37
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
35 of 37
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
The Temple of Artemis Ephesia housed a meteorite (the 'image which fell down from Jupiter,' Acts 19:35), worshiped as the goddess's physical manifestation. Artemis worship combined Anatolian mother-goddess traditions with Greek religious elements, making her one of antiquity's most widely venerated deities.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the gospel's exclusive truth challenge pluralistic tolerance that treats all religions as equally valid?
- What cultural 'magnificence' in your context needs to be 'destroyed' by confrontation with Christ's supremacy?
Analysis & Commentary
This our craft is in danger to be set at nought (ἀπελεγμόν, apelegmon, 'disrepute')—Demetrius initially frames opposition economically before pivoting to religious concern: the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised. The Greek καθαιρέω (kathaireō, 'destroyed') means 'pulled down' or 'deposed,' suggesting Artemis' dethroning.
Whom all Asia and the world worshippeth—Artemis commanded international reverence. Her temple functioned as bank, asylum, and pilgrimage destination. Yet Demetrius betrayed anxiety: if Christianity could devastate Artemis worship in her own city, no idol was safe. The gospel's exclusivity ultimately confronts every false god, whether ancient idols or modern ideologies.