Acts 19:34
French (La Bible expliquée)
Mais quand les gens eurent reconnu qu'il était Juif, ils crièrent tous ensemble les mêmes mots, et cela pendant près de deux heures: « Grande est l'Artémis des Éphésiens! » Entre la décision de partir et le départ effectif de Paul, se produisent de graves troubles liés au culte d'Artémis, la grande déesse de la fécondité, dont le temple était une des sept merveilles du monde. La situation prospère des artisans d'Éphèse ressemble à celle de tout lieu de pèlerinage: la ferveur religieuse fait marcher les affaires. Les arguments de Paul, rapportés par Démétrius, risquent d'enrayer ce système où l'économie et la religion contribuent au prestige de la ville. Les propos de Démétrius font craindre un manque à gagner et génèrent une manifestation de corporation. Elle se répand dans la ville et provoque un rassemblement populaire dans le majestueux théâtre d'Éphèse. L'affrontement ne se fait pas avec Paul, que ses amis ont soustrait à la foule furieuse. La tentative infructueuse d'Alexandre, un Juif, pour prendre la parole, confirme que la foule est déterminée à ne rien écouter qui mette en danger le prestige et les bonnes affaires de la ville d'Éphèse.
What Does This Mean?
This verse describes a situation where a crowd in Ephesus begins shouting loudly about their goddess Diana when they discover someone is a Jew. The Jews were often viewed differently and sometimes negatively by the Greeks, leading to this reaction.
Explained for Children
Imagine if you were at a big party and everyone loved ice cream so much that they would yell 'Ice cream is great!' whenever anyone came in who didn't like it. That's kind of what happened here with the people shouting about Diana when they saw a Jew.
Historical Background
Acts was written by Luke, likely around AD 60-70. The audience included both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews). This event took place in Ephesus, where the cult of Artemis/Diana was very popular, making her worship central to the city's identity.
Living It Out Today
Today, we might see similar reactions when someone from a different background enters a group with strong cultural or religious affiliations. It reminds us to be aware and respectful of others' beliefs while maintaining our own.
Topics
worshipfaithcultural differencesidentitycommunityidolatry
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the crowd react so strongly when they found out someone was a Jew?
The Jews and Greeks often had conflicting beliefs, especially regarding worship. The crowd's reaction shows their strong identification with their goddess Diana and suspicion of different religious practices.
What can we learn about community identity from this verse?
This verse highlights how deeply a community might be tied to its cultural or religious symbols, like the Ephesians were with Diana. It teaches us about the power of shared beliefs in shaping group behavior.
How does Acts 19:34 relate to themes in other parts of the Bible?
This verse connects to broader biblical themes of idolatry and devotion, seen in passages like Exodus 32 or Revelation 17, where similar conflicts over worship are highlighted.
How might this scenario apply to modern situations involving different religious beliefs?
In today's world, we can see parallels when individuals from one faith enter a community deeply rooted in another. This verse reminds us of the need for mutual respect and understanding across belief systems.