Acts 19:34
But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
Original Language Analysis
ἐπιγνόντων
when they knew
G1921
ἐπιγνόντων
when they knew
Strong's:
G1921
Word #:
1 of 19
to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
3 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
φωνὴ
voice
G5456
φωνὴ
voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
6 of 19
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
ἐγένετο
G1096
ἐγένετο
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
7 of 19
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἐκ
with
G1537
ἐκ
with
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
9 of 19
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ὡς
about
G5613
ὡς
about
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
11 of 19
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐπὶ
the space
G1909
ἐπὶ
the space
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
κραζόντων
cried out
G2896
κραζόντων
cried out
Strong's:
G2896
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
Μεγάλη
Great
G3173
Μεγάλη
Great
Strong's:
G3173
Word #:
16 of 19
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Two-hour ritualistic chanting was common in pagan worship, inducing altered states of consciousness and group cohesion. This wasn't spontaneous emotion but cultic practice turned weaponized. The Ephesian riot foreshadowed later pagan mob violence against Christians throughout the Roman Empire, often featuring similar sustained chanting and religious fervor masking economic and social fears.
Questions for Reflection
- How do modern ideological movements use repetitive slogans to shut down dialogue and create tribal solidarity?
- What spiritual forces sustain prolonged hostility to the gospel beyond natural human emotion?
Analysis & Commentary
But when they knew that he was a Jew—Recognition of Alexander's Jewishness immediately terminated his defense. The crowd responded all with one voice (φωνὴ ἐγένετο μία, phōnē egeneto mia) about the space of two hours cried out, chanting μεγάλη ἡ Ἄρτεμις Ἐφεσίων (megalē hē Artemis Ephesiōn) continuously. Two hours of monotonous chanting reveals religious mania replacing rational discourse.
This sustained chanting functioned like modern protest chants—drowning out opposition through sheer volume and repetition. The anti-Jewish prejudice exposed here shows that mob violence targets minorities indiscriminately. Jews couldn't separate themselves from Christians because pagans viewed both as threats to Artemis worship. The two-hour duration suggests demonic energy sustaining religious fervor—human voices grow hoarse, but spiritual opposition perseveres.