Acts 19 · Verse 32

Acts 19:32

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

Acts 19:32, King James Version

Acts 19:32 in other translations

BSB	Meanwhile the assembly was in turmoil. Some were shouting one thing and some another, and most of them did not even know why they were there.
WEB	Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together.
ASV	Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
YLT	Some indeed, therefore, were calling out one thing, and some another, for the assembly was confused, and the greater part did not know for what they were come together;
DARBY	Different persons therefore cried out some different thing; for the assembly was tumultuous, and the most did not know for what cause they had come together.
BBE	And some said one thing, and some another: for there was no order in the meeting; and most of them had no idea why they had come together.
Webster	Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused, and the greater part knew not why they had come together.

What does Acts 19:32 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 19:30-34

30-34. when Paul would have entered in--with noble forgetfulness of self. unto the people--the demos, that is, the people met in public assembly. the disciples suffered him not--The tense used implies only that they were using their efforts to restrain him; which might have been unavailing but for what follows.

Read the full comment on Acts 19:30-34 →

Barnes' Notes

Verse 32. Some therefore cried one thing, etc. This is an admirable description of a mob, assembled for what purpose they knew not; but agitated by passions, and strifes, and tumults.

And the more part knew not, etc. The greater part did not know. They had been drawn together by the noise and excitement; but a small part would know the real cause of the commotion. This is usually the case in tumultuous meetings.

(f) "Some therefore" Acts 21:34 (++) "more part" "Greater"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 32 Some - cried one thing, and some another - This is an admirable description of a tumultuous mob, gathered together without law or reason; getting their passions inflamed, and looking for an opportunity to commit outrages, without why or wherefore - principle or object. For the assembly was confused - Ἡ εκκλησια; The same word which we translate church; and thus we find that it signifies any assembly, good or bad, lawful, or unlawful; and that only the circumstances of the case can determine the precise nature of the assembly to which this word is applied.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 19:32-41

The Jews came forward in this tumult. Those who are thus careful to distinguish themselves from the servants of Christ now, and are afraid of being taken for them, shall have their doom accordingly in the great day. One, having authority, at length stilled the noise. It is a very good rule at all times, both in private and public affairs, not to be hasty and rash in our motions, but to take time to consider; and always to keep our passions under check. We ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly; to do nothing in haste, of which we may repent at leisure. The regular methods of the law ought always to stop popular tumults, and in well-governed nations will do so. Most people stand in awe of men's judgments more than of the judgement of God. How well it were if we would thus quiet our disorderly appetites and passions, by considering the account we must shortly give to the Judge of heaven and earth! And see how the overruling providence of God keeps the public peace, by an unaccountable power over the spirits of men. Thus the world is kept in some order, and men are held back from devouring each other. We can scarcely look around but we see men act like Demetrius and the workmen. It is as safe to contend with wild beasts as with men enraged by party zeal and disappointed covetousness, who think that all arguments are answered, when they have shown that they grow rich by the practices which are opposed. Whatever side in religious disputes, or whatever name this spirit assumes, it is worldly, and should be discountenanced by all who regard truth and piety. And let us not be dismayed; the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters; he can still the rage of the people.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 19:32 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἄλλοιalloiOthersG243

μὲνmenindeedG3303

οὖνounthereforeG3767

ἄλλοallosomeG243

τιtithingG5100

ἔκραζον·ekrazonwere crying out;G2896

ἦνēnwasG1510

γὰρgarforG1063

ἡhētheG3588

ἐκκλησίαekklēsiaassemblyG1577

συγκεχυμένη,sugkechumenēconfused,G4797

καὶkaiandG2532

οἱhoi<the>G3588

πλείουςpleiousmostG4183

οὐκouknotG3756

ᾔδεισανēdeisandid knowG1492

τίνοςtinosfor whatG5101

ἕνεκαhenekacauseG1752

συνεληλύθεισαν.sunelēlutheisanthey had assembled.G4905

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 19:32

Acts 21:34
And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
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.
Matthew 11:7-9
And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
Luke 7:24-26
And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
Acts 19:40
For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

cried.
29; 21:34
and the.
40; Mt 11:7-9; Lu 7:24-26

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Acts 19:31
And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
Acts 19:32
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
Acts 19:33
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

Read all of Acts 19

Acts 19:32 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y otros gritaban otra cosa; porque la concurrencia estaba confusa, y los más no sabían por qué se habían juntado.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Les uns donc criaient une chose, les autres une autre; car l’assemblée était en confusion, et la plupart ne savaient pas pourquoi ils étaient assemblés.
German Elberfelder 1871	Die einen nun schrieen dieses, die anderen jenes; denn die Versammlung war in Verwirrung, und die meisten wußten nicht, weshalb sie zusammengekommen waren.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	alii autem aliud clamabant. Erat enim ecclesia confusa: et plures nesciebant qua ex causa convenissent.