King James Version

What Does Acts 19:27 Mean?

Acts 19:27 in the King James Version says “So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana sh... — study this verse from Acts chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised , and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. set at nought: or, brought into disrepute, or, contempt

Acts 19:27 · KJV


Context

25

Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

26

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:

27

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised , and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. set at nought: or, brought into disrepute, or, contempt

28

And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This our craft is in danger to be set at nought (ἀπελεγμόν, apelegmon, 'disrepute')—Demetrius initially frames opposition economically before pivoting to religious concern: the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised. The Greek καθαιρέω (kathaireō, 'destroyed') means 'pulled down' or 'deposed,' suggesting Artemis' dethroning.

Whom all Asia and the world worshippeth—Artemis commanded international reverence. Her temple functioned as bank, asylum, and pilgrimage destination. Yet Demetrius betrayed anxiety: if Christianity could devastate Artemis worship in her own city, no idol was safe. The gospel's exclusivity ultimately confronts every false god, whether ancient idols or modern ideologies.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Temple of Artemis Ephesia housed a meteorite (the 'image which fell down from Jupiter,' Acts 19:35), worshiped as the goddess's physical manifestation. Artemis worship combined Anatolian mother-goddess traditions with Greek religious elements, making her one of antiquity's most widely venerated deities.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the gospel's exclusive truth challenge pluralistic tolerance that treats all religions as equally valid?
  2. What cultural 'magnificence' in your context needs to be 'destroyed' by confrontation with Christ's supremacy?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 37 words
οὐ1 of 37

that not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μόνον2 of 37

only

G3440

merely

δὲ3 of 37

So

G1161

but, and, etc

τοῦτο4 of 37

this

G5124

that thing

κινδυνεύει5 of 37

is in danger

G2793

to undergo peril

ἡμῖν6 of 37

our

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

τὸ7 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μέρος8 of 37

craft

G3313

a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)

εἰς9 of 37

at

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἀπελεγμὸν10 of 37

nought

G557

refutation, i.e., (by implication) contempt

ἐλθεῖν11 of 37

to be set

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἀλλὰ12 of 37

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

καὶ13 of 37

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸ14 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τῆς15 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μεγάλης16 of 37

of the great

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

θεᾶς17 of 37

goddess

G2299

a female deity

Ἀρτέμιδος18 of 37

Diana

G735

prompt; artemis, the name of a grecian goddess borrowed by the asiatics for one of their deities

ἱερὸν19 of 37

that the temple

G2411

a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)

εἰς20 of 37

at

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

οὐδὲν21 of 37
G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

λογισθῆναι22 of 37
G3049

to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)

μέλλειν23 of 37

should

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

δὲ24 of 37

So

G1161

but, and, etc

καὶ25 of 37

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

καθαιρεῖσθαι26 of 37

be destroyed

G2507

to lower (or with violence) demolish (literally or figuratively)

τήν27 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μεγαλειότητα28 of 37

magnificence

G3168

superbness, i.e., glory or splendor

αὐτῆς29 of 37

her

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἣν30 of 37

whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ὅλη31 of 37

all

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

32 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἀσία33 of 37

Asia

G773

asia, i.e., asia minor, or (usually) only its western shore

καὶ34 of 37

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

35 of 37
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οἰκουμένη36 of 37

the world

G3625

land, i.e., the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the roman empire

σέβεται37 of 37

worshippeth

G4576

to revere, i.e., adore


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 19:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 19:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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