Acts 19:38
Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
Acts 19:38 in other translations
| BSB | So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there. |
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| WEB | If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another. |
| ASV | If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. |
| YLT | if indeed, therefore, Demetrius and the artificers with him with any one have a matter, court days are held, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. |
| DARBY | If therefore Demetrius and the artisans who are with him have a matter against any one, the courts are being held, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. |
| BBE | If, then, Demetrius and the workmen who are with him have a protest to make against any man, the law is open to them, and there are judges; let them put up a cause at law against one another. |
| Webster | Wherefore, if Demetrius and the artificers who are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. |
What does Acts 19:38 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 19:35-41
35-41. when the town-clerk--keeper of the public archives, and a magistrate of great authority. had appeased--"calmed." the people--"the multitude," which the very presence of such an officer would go far to do. he said ... what man ... knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana--literally, the neocoros or "warden." The word means "temple-sweeper"; then, "temple-guardian."…
Barnes' Notes
The law is open. See the margin. αγοραιοιαγονται, i.e. ημεραι. There are court days; days which are open, or appointed for judicial trials, where such matters can be determined in a proper manner. Perhaps the courts were then held, and the matter might be immediately determined.
And there are deputies. Roman proconsuls. Acts 13:7. The cause might be brought before them with the certainty that it might be heard and decided. The Syriac reads this in the singular number--"Lo, the proconsul is in the city."
Let them implead one another. Let them accuse each other in the court; i.e., let them defend their own cause, and arraign one another. The laws are equal, and impartial justice will be done.
(+) "craftsmen" "workmen" (2) "the law is open" "the court days are kept" (++) "implead" "summon"
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
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…
Acts 19:38 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Acts 19:38
- Acts 13:7
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
- Acts 18:14
And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
- 1 Corinthians 6:1
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
- Deuteronomy 17:8
If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the Lord thy God shall choose;
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- Acts 19:37
For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
- Acts 19:38
Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
- Acts 19:39
But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
Acts 19:38 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Que si Demetrio y los oficiales que están con él tienen negocio con alguno, audiencias se hacen, y procónsules hay; acúsense los unos á los otros. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Si donc Démétrius et les artisans qui sont avec lui ont quelque affaire contre quelqu’un, les tribunaux sont ouverts et il y a des proconsuls; qu’ils s’accusent les uns les autres. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Wenn nun Demetrius und die Künstler mit ihm wider jemanden eine Sache haben, so werden Gerichtstage gehalten, und es sind Statthalter da; laßt sie sich einander verklagen. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Quod si Demetrius et qui cum eo sunt artifices, habent adversus aliquem causam, conventus forenses aguntur, et proconsules sunt: accusent invicem. |