The Meaning of Acts 19:26 Explained

Acts 19:26

KJV: Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

YLT: and ye see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but almost in all Asia, this Paul, having persuaded, did turn away a great multitude, saying, that they are not gods who are made by hands;

Darby: and ye see and hear that this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great crowd, not only of Ephesus, but almost of all Asia, saying that they are no gods which are made with hands.

ASV: And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Moreover  ye see  and  hear,  that  not  alone  at Ephesus,  but  almost  throughout all  Asia,  this  Paul  hath persuaded  and turned away  much  people,  saying  that  they be  no  gods,  which  are made  with  hands: 

What does Acts 19:26 Mean?

Context Summary

Acts 19:13-29 - The Power Of Jesus' Name
Where God's spirit is mightily at work, Satan is not far away. Here the enemy's emissaries were mean enough to use the name of Jesus to get themselves a few more shekels. But the name is useless apart from the living power of the Spirit. It is terrible when the very demons flout those who profess religion. Who are ye? meant, "You do not count." The demons knew Christ as the Holy One of God and Paul as His representative, but these exorcist Jews were hollow as sounding brass. Cast into the balances, they were altogether lighter than vanity, Psalms 62:9.
The outcome of all this was a mighty revival. The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified, and a searching work of grace led to the confession of sin and the cleansing of heart and life in many who had followed vain superstitions.
So deep was the work of God in that great city of Ephesus that the trade in charms and amulets, sold in the neighborhood of the temple, began to fall off. The crowd of worshippers in Diana's temple was also perceptibly less. People who came in from the seaboard would find their way to the Apostle, who preached the gospel with a power that could not be withstood. Regenerated souls therefore, in turn, carried the gospel throughout the whole region. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 19

1  The Holy Spirit is given by Paul's hands
8  The Jews blaspheme his doctrine, which is confirmed by miracles
13  The Jewish exorcists,
16  are beaten by a man who had an evil spirit
19  Conjuring books are burnt
21  Demetrius, for love of gain, raises an uproar against Paul;
35  which is appeased by the town clerk

Greek Commentary for Acts 19:26

At Ephesus [Επεσου]
Genitive of place as also with Ασιας — Asias (Asia). Cf. Robertson, Grammar, pp. 494f. [source]
This Paul [ο Παυλος ουτος]
Contemptuous use of ουτος — houtos Hath turned away (μετεστησεν — metestēsen). Changed, transposed. First aorist active indicative, did change. Tribute to Paul‘s powers as a preacher borne out by Luke‘s record in Acts 19:10. There may be an element of exaggeration on the part of Demetrius to incite the workmen to action, for the worship of Artemis was their wealth. Paul had cut the nerve of their business. There had long been a Jewish colony in Ephesus, but their protest against idolatry was as nothing compared with Paul‘s preaching (Furneaux). Which are made with hands Note the present tense, made from time to time. No doubt Paul had put the point sharply as in Athens (Acts 17:29). Isaiah (Isaiah 44:9-17) had pictured graphically the absurdity of worshipping stocks and stones, flatly forbidden by the Old Testament (Exodus 20:4; Psalm 135:15-18). The people identified their gods with the images of them and Demetrius reflects that point of view. He was jealous of the brand of gods turned out by his factory. The artisans would stand by him on this point. It was a reflection on their work. [source]
Hath turned away [μετεστησεν]
Changed, transposed. First aorist active indicative, did change. Tribute to Paul‘s powers as a preacher borne out by Luke‘s record in Acts 19:10. There may be an element of exaggeration on the part of Demetrius to incite the workmen to action, for the worship of Artemis was their wealth. Paul had cut the nerve of their business. There had long been a Jewish colony in Ephesus, but their protest against idolatry was as nothing compared with Paul‘s preaching (Furneaux). [source]
Which are made with hands [οι δια χειρων γινομενοι]
Note the present tense, made from time to time. No doubt Paul had put the point sharply as in Athens (Acts 17:29). Isaiah (Isaiah 44:9-17) had pictured graphically the absurdity of worshipping stocks and stones, flatly forbidden by the Old Testament (Exodus 20:4; Psalm 135:15-18). The people identified their gods with the images of them and Demetrius reflects that point of view. He was jealous of the brand of gods turned out by his factory. The artisans would stand by him on this point. It was a reflection on their work. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 19:26

Acts 13:43 Of the devout proselytes [των σεβομενων προσηλυτων]
Of the worshipping proselytes described in Acts 13:16, Acts 13:25 as “those who fear God” (cf. Acts 16:14) employed usually of the uncircumcised Gentiles who yet attended the synagogue worship, but the word προσηλυτοι — prosēlutoi Yet the rabbis used it also of proselytes of the gate who had not yet become circumcised, probably the idea here. In the N.T. the word occurs only in Matthew 23:15; Acts 2:10; Acts 6:5; Acts 13:43. Many (both Jews and proselytes) followed Imperfect active of peithō either descriptive (were persuading) or conative (were trying to persuade). Paul had great powers of persuasion (Acts 18:4; Acts 19:8, Acts 19:26; Acts 26:28; Acts 28:23; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Galatians 1:10). These Jews “were beginning to understand for the first time the true meaning of their national history” (Furneaux), “the grace of God” to them. [source]
Acts 13:43 Urged [πειτω]
Imperfect active of peithō either descriptive (were persuading) or conative (were trying to persuade). Paul had great powers of persuasion (Acts 18:4; Acts 19:8, Acts 19:26; Acts 26:28; Acts 28:23; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Galatians 1:10). These Jews “were beginning to understand for the first time the true meaning of their national history” (Furneaux), “the grace of God” to them. [source]
Acts 13:44 Almost [σχεδον]
Old word, but in N.T. only here, Acts 19:26; Hebrews 9:22. Was gathered together (συνηχτη — sunēchthē). First aorist (effective) passive indicative of συναγω — sunagō old and common verb. The “whole city” could hardly all gather in the synagogue. Perhaps Paul spoke in the synagogue and Barnabas to the overflow outside (see Acts 13:46). It was an eager and earnest gathering “to hear (ακουσαι — akousai first aorist active infinitive of purpose) the word of God” and a great opportunity for Paul and Barnabas. The Codex Bezae has it “to hear Paul.” It was the new preacher (Paul) that drew the big crowd. It was a crowd such as will later hang on the words of John Wesley and George Whitfield when they preach Jesus Christ. [source]
Acts 19:10 So that all they which dwelt in Asia heard [ωστε παντας τους κατοικουντας την Ασιαν ακουσαι]
Actual result with ωστε — hōste and the infinitive with accusative of general reference as is common (also Acts 19:11) in the Koiné{[28928]}š (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 999f.). Paul apparently remained in Ephesus, but the gospel spread all over the province even to the Lycus Valley including the rest of the seven churches of Revelation 1:11; 2; 3. Demetrius in Acts 19:26 will confirm the tremendous influence of Paul‘s ministry in Ephesus on Asia. Forty years after this Pliny in his famous letter to Trajan from Bithynia will say of Christianity: “For the contagion of this superstition has not only spread through cities, but also through villages and country places.” It was during these years in Ephesus that Paul was greatly disturbed over the troubles in the Corinthian Church. He apparently wrote a letter to them now lost to us (1 Corinthians 5:9), received messages from the household of Chloe, a letter from the church, special messengers, sent Timothy, then Titus, may have made a hurried trip himself, wrote our First Corinthians, was planning to go after the return of Titus to Troas where he was to meet him after Pentecost, when all of a sudden the uproar raised by Demetrius hurried Paul away sooner than he had planned. Meanwhile Apollos had returned from Corinth to Ephesus and refused to go back (1 Corinthians 16:12). Paul doubtless had helpers like Epaphras and Philemon who carried the message over the province of Asia, Tychicus, and Trophimus of Asia who were with him on the last visit to Jerusalem (Acts 19:22, Acts 19:29; Acts 20:4). Paul‘s message reached Greeks, not merely Hellenists and God-fearers, but some of the Greeks in the upper circles of life in Ephesus. [source]
Colossians 1:13 Translated [μετέστησεν]
The word occurs five times in the New Testament: of putting out of the stewardship, Luke 16:4; of the removal of Saul from the kingdom, Acts 13:22; of Paul turning away much people, Acts 19:26; and of removing mountains, 1 Corinthians 13:2. A change of kingdoms is indicated. [source]
Hebrews 9:22 I may almost say [σχεδον]
Old adverb, only three times in the N.T., here, Acts 13:44; Acts 19:26. Here it qualifies the entire clause, not just παντα — panta With blood In blood. There were exceptions (Exodus 19:10; Exodus 32:30.; Leviticus 5:11.; Leviticus 15:5; Numbers 16:46.; Numbers 31:23., etc.). Apart from shedding of blood A double compound first found here (coined by the writer) and later in ecclesiastical writers “Pouring out of blood.” The author seems to have in mind Christ‘s words in Matthew 26:28: “This is my blood of the covenant which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.” The blood is the vital principle and is efficacious as an atonement. The blood of Christ sets aside all other plans for pardon. [source]
1 John 3:19 Shall assure [πείσομεν]
Two renderings are possible; the primitive meaning persuade (Acts 19:26; Acts 17:4; 2 Corinthians 5:11); or the secondary and consequent sense, assure, quiet, conciliate (Matthew 28:14). Render as A.V., and Rev. as sure. See critical note at the end of the commentary on this Epistle. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 19:26 mean?

And you see hear that not only in Ephesus but almost all - of Asia - Paul this having persuaded [them] has turned away a great many people saying not they are gods - by hands being made
καὶ θεωρεῖτε ἀκούετε ὅτι οὐ μόνον Ἐφέσου ἀλλὰ σχεδὸν πάσης τῆς Ἀσίας Παῦλος οὗτος πείσας μετέστησεν ἱκανὸν ὄχλον λέγων οὐκ εἰσὶν θεοὶ οἱ διὰ χειρῶν γινόμενοι

θεωρεῖτε  you  see 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: θεωρέω  
Sense: to be a spectator, look at, behold.
ἀκούετε  hear 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀκουστός 
Sense: to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
μόνον  only 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μόνον  
Sense: only, alone, but.
Ἐφέσου  in  Ephesus 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: Ἔφεσος  
Sense: a maritime city of Asia Minor, capital of Ionia and under the Romans, of proconsular Asia, situated on the Icarian Sea between Smyrna and Miletus.
σχεδὸν  almost 
Parse: Adverb
Root: σχεδόν  
Sense: near, hard by.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἀσίας  of  Asia 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: Ἀσία  
Sense: Asia proper or proconsular Asia embracing Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia, and Caria, corresponding closely to Turkey today.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Παῦλος  Paul 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Παῦλος  
Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles.
οὗτος  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
πείσας  having  persuaded  [them] 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐπισείω 
Sense: persuade.
μετέστησεν  has  turned  away 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: μεθιστάνω 
Sense: to transpose, transfer, remove from one place to another.
ἱκανὸν  a  great  many 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἱκανός  
Sense: sufficient.
ὄχλον  people 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ὄχλος  
Sense: a crowd.
λέγων  saying 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
εἰσὶν  they  are 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
θεοὶ  gods 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
οἱ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
χειρῶν  hands 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Plural
Root: χείρ  
Sense: by the help or agency of any one, by means of any one.
γινόμενοι  being  made 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.