Acts 19:29
And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπλήσθη
was filled
G4130
ἐπλήσθη
was filled
Strong's:
G4130
Word #:
2 of 20
to "fill" (literally or figuratively (imbue, influence, supply)); specially, to fulfil (time)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅλη
the whole
G3650
ὅλη
the whole
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
5 of 20
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
συγχύσεως
with confusion
G4799
συγχύσεως
with confusion
Strong's:
G4799
Word #:
6 of 20
commixture, i.e., (figuratively) riotous disturbance
ὥρμησάν
they rushed
G3729
ὥρμησάν
they rushed
Strong's:
G3729
Word #:
7 of 20
to start, spur or urge on, i.e., (reflexively) to dash or plunge
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θέατρον
the theatre
G2302
θέατρον
the theatre
Strong's:
G2302
Word #:
12 of 20
a place for public show ("theatre"), i.e., general audience-room; by implication, a show itself (figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Μακεδόνας
men of Macedonia
G3110
Μακεδόνας
men of Macedonia
Strong's:
G3110
Word #:
17 of 20
a macedon (macedonian), i.e., inhabitant of macedonia
συνεκδήμους
companions in travel
G4898
συνεκδήμους
companions in travel
Strong's:
G4898
Word #:
18 of 20
a co-absentee from home, i.e., fellow-traveller
Cross References
Acts 20:4And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.Acts 27:2And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.Colossians 4:10Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)Philemon 1:24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.Acts 19:22So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.Romans 16:23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.1 Corinthians 1:14I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
Historical Context
The Ephesian theatre, excavated by archaeologists, remains one of the largest from antiquity. It functioned as both entertainment venue and civic assembly (ἐκκλησία, ekklēsia—the same word for 'church'). This riot occurred around AD 55 during Paul's three-year Ephesian ministry (Acts 19:10), the longest he spent in any city. Macedonian believers Gaius and Aristarchus exemplify the international nature of Paul's missionary team.
Questions for Reflection
- How does mob mentality in modern culture—whether political, religious, or ideological—mirror this ancient riot?
- What does the seizure of Paul's companions teach about the cost of association with controversial gospel truth?
Analysis & Commentary
The whole city was filled with confusion (σύγχυσις, sunchysis)—indicating chaotic disorder, not mere disagreement. The mob rushed with one accord (ὁμοθυμαδόν, homothumadon, unanimous impulse) into the theatre, revealing how mob psychology overrides individual reason. Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, became surrogate targets when Paul couldn't be found—mob violence rarely discriminates in its fury.
Luke's precision naming these men (Aristarchus appears in Acts 20:4, 27:2; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24) honors faithful companions who shared apostolic dangers. The theatre, seating 25,000, served as Ephesus's civic assembly space—religion, commerce, and politics converged in one chaotic explosion.