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.
But as soon as they realized he was Jewish, the whole crowd lost it and started chanting 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians!' for like two straight hours.
Sometimes mob mentality takes over and people just lose their minds for hours.
📚 Historical Context
In the first century AD, the city of Ephesus was a thriving center for the worship of the goddess Artemis, known as Diana to the Romans, whose grand temple was a major economic and cultural hub. During Paul's missionary work in Ephesus, his preaching about Jesus threatened the local idol-making industry, leading to a riot instigated by silversmiths who feared losing their livelihood. When a Jew named Alexander attempted to address the crowd, they recognized his Jewish identity and instead chanted praises to Diana for about two hours, revealing the deep-rooted pagan devotion that resisted the spread of Christianity.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.