Acts 19:40
New International Version
As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.”

New Living Translation
I am afraid we are in danger of being charged with rioting by the Roman government, since there is no cause for all this commotion. And if Rome demands an explanation, we won’t know what to say.”

English Standard Version
For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.”

Berean Standard Bible
For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”

Berean Literal Bible
And indeed, we are in danger of being accused of insurrection in regard to this day, there existing not one cause concerning which we will be able to give a reason for this commotion."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.”

New American Standard Bible
For indeed, we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real reason for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.”

NASB 1995
“For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no real cause for it, and in this connection we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.”

NASB 1977
“For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s affair, since there is no real cause for it; and in this connection we shall be unable to account for this disorderly gathering.”

Legacy Standard Bible
For indeed we are in danger of being accused of a riot in connection with today’s events, since there is no cause for which we can give as an account for this disorderly gathering.”

Amplified Bible
For we are running the risk of being accused of rioting in regard to today’s events, and since there is no reason for it, we will be unable to give an account and justify this disorderly gathering.”

Christian Standard Bible
In fact, we run a risk of being charged with rioting for what happened today, since there is no justification that we can give as a reason for this disturbance.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In fact, we run a risk of being charged with rioting for what happened today, since there is no justification that we can give as a reason for this disorderly gathering.”

American Standard Version
For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause for it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.

Contemporary English Version
We could easily be accused of starting a riot today. There is no excuse for it! We cannot even give a reason for this uproar.

English Revised Version
For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause for it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
At this moment we run the risk of being accused of rioting today for no reason. We won't be able to explain this mob."

Good News Translation
For after what has happened today, there is the danger that we will be accused of a riot. There is no excuse for all this uproar, and we would not be able to give a good reason for it."

International Standard Version
because we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, and there is no good reason we can give to justify this commotion."

Majority Standard Bible
For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.”

NET Bible
For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause we can give to explain this disorderly gathering."

New Heart English Bible
For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we would not be able to give an account of this commotion."

Webster's Bible Translation
For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause by which we may give an account of this concourse.\

Weymouth New Testament
For in connexion with to-day's proceedings there is danger of our being charged with attempted insurrection, there having been no real reason for this riot; nor shall we be able to justify the behaviour of this disorderly mob."

World English Bible
For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able to give an account of this commotion.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for we are also in peril of being accused of insurrection in regard to this day, there being no occasion by which we will be able to give an account of this concourse”;

Berean Literal Bible
And indeed, we are in danger of being accused of insurrection in regard to this day, there existing not one cause concerning which we will be able to give a reason for this commotion."

Young's Literal Translation
for we are also in peril of being accused of insurrection in regard to this day, there being no occasion by which we shall be able to give an account of this concourse;'

Smith's Literal Translation
For we are also in danger to be called in question for this day, being no cause for which we shall be able to give back word of this confederation.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For we are even in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no man guilty (of whom we may give account) of this concourse.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For now we are in peril of being convicted of sedition over today’s events, since there is no one guilty (against whom we are able to provide evidence) in this gathering.”

New American Bible
for, as it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today’s conduct. There is no cause for it. We shall [not] be able to give a reason for this demonstration.” With these words he dismissed the assembly.

New Revised Standard Version
For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For even now we are in danger of being charged with sedition, for we cannot give an answer concerning this day’s meeting, because we have assembled for no reason, and have been tumultuous without a cause.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“For even now we are in danger of being accused as seditious, so that we will not be able to offer a defense for the crowd today, because we have assembled needlessly and we are in an uproar without a cause.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For we are in danger of being called to answer for this day's tumult, since there is no cause by which we shall be able to account for this concourse.

Godbey New Testament
For indeed we are in danger of prosecution for the disturbance this day, there being no cause concerning which we shall be able to give a reason for this uproar.

Haweis New Testament
For we are even in danger of being called to account for this day’s insurrection, there being no cause on account of which we can justify this tumultuary concourse:

Mace New Testament
for we run the risk of being answerable for this day's sedition: there being no justifiable occasion for such a commotion."

Weymouth New Testament
For in connexion with to-day's proceedings there is danger of our being charged with attempted insurrection, there having been no real reason for this riot; nor shall we be able to justify the behaviour of this disorderly mob."

Worrell New Testament
For, indeed, we are in danger of being accused of riot respecting this day, there existing no cause for it, and regarding which we will be unable to give an account of this concourse."

Worsley New Testament
for we are in danger of being charged with sedition for what has happened this day, there being no cause by which we can give a reason for this concourse.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Riot in Ephesus
39But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40For we are in jeopardy of being charged with rioting for today’s events, and we have no justification to account for this commotion.” 41After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.…

Cross References
Acts 17:5-8
The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. / But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!” ...

Acts 18:12-17
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. / “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said. / But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint. ...

Romans 13:1-5
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...

1 Peter 2:13-14
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

Luke 23:2-5
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” / So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” ...

John 19:12-16
From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” / When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha. / It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” ...

Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”

Mark 15:15
And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

Esther 3:8-9
Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”

Nehemiah 6:6-7
that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”

Jeremiah 26:16-19
Then the officials and all the people told the priests and prophets, “This man is not worthy of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God!” / Some of the elders of the land stood up and said to the whole assembly of the people, / “Micah the Moreshite prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah and told all the people of Judah that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.’ ...

2 Kings 10:9-11
The next morning, Jehu went out and stood before all the people and said, “You are innocent. It was I who conspired against my master and killed him. But who killed all these? / Know, then, that not a word the LORD has spoken against the house of Ahab will fail, for the LORD has done what He promised through His servant Elijah.” / So Jehu killed everyone in Jezreel who remained of the house of Ahab, as well as all his great men and close friends and priests, leaving him without a single survivor.

1 Samuel 22:12-17
“Listen now, son of Ahitub,” said Saul. “Here I am, my lord,” he replied. / And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.” / Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard and honored in your house? ...

Exodus 23:1-2
“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness. / You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

we are.

Acts 17:5-8
But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people…

uproar.

Acts 20:1
And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

Acts 21:31,38
And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar…

1 Kings 1:41
And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar?

Jump to Previous
Able Account Accusation Accused Affair Attempted Behaviour Case Cause Charged Commotion Concourse Connection Connexion Danger Day's Disorderly Events Existing Gathering Give Indeed Insurrection Justify Meeting Mob Proceedings Question Real Reason Responsible Riot Rioting Sedition Today To-Day Together Touching Trouble Uproar Whereby Wouldn't
Jump to Next
Able Account Accusation Accused Affair Attempted Behaviour Case Cause Charged Commotion Concourse Connection Connexion Danger Day's Disorderly Events Existing Gathering Give Indeed Insurrection Justify Meeting Mob Proceedings Question Real Reason Responsible Riot Rioting Sedition Today To-Day Together Touching Trouble Uproar Whereby Wouldn't
Acts 19
1. The Holy Spirit is given by Paul's hands.
8. The Jews blaspheme his doctrine, which is confirmed by miracles.
13. The Jewish exorcists,
16. are beaten by a man who had an evil spirit.
19. Conjuring books are burnt.
21. Demetrius, for love of gain, raises an uproar against Paul;
35. which is appeased by the town clerk.














For we are in jeopardy
The phrase "in jeopardy" comes from the Greek word "kinduneuomen," which implies being in danger or at risk. In the context of Acts 19, the city clerk is addressing the crowd in Ephesus, warning them of the potential legal consequences of their actions. Historically, Roman authorities were strict about maintaining public order, and any form of riot could lead to severe repercussions for the city. This highlights the importance of peace and order, reflecting a biblical principle that God is a God of order, not chaos (1 Corinthians 14:33).

of being charged with rioting
The term "charged" is derived from the Greek "egkaleisthai," meaning to be accused or called into account. "Rioting" translates from "stasis," which can mean a standing or uprising. In the Roman Empire, riots were taken seriously as they threatened the peace and stability of the region. This serves as a reminder of the Christian call to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and to live in a way that respects authority (Romans 13:1-2).

for today’s events
"Today’s events" refers to the uproar caused by the silversmiths in Ephesus, who were upset by the impact of Paul's preaching on their trade of making idols of Artemis. This historical context underscores the transformative power of the Gospel, which challenges societal norms and economic structures that are contrary to God's will. It also illustrates the immediate impact of the early Christian movement on the world around them.

and in that case we would not be able to account for this commotion
The phrase "not be able to account" comes from the Greek "dunēsometha apodounai," indicating an inability to justify or explain. "Commotion" is translated from "sustrophē," meaning a disorderly gathering. The city clerk's concern reflects the Roman expectation for cities to maintain order and the potential consequences of failing to do so. This highlights the Christian responsibility to live blamelessly and to be above reproach in society (Philippians 2:15).

since there is no reason for it
"No reason" is from the Greek "aitias mēdemias," meaning without cause or justification. The city clerk acknowledges that the uproar lacks a legitimate basis, pointing to the irrationality of the crowd's anger. This serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment and wisdom in our actions, aligning with the biblical call to seek understanding and to act justly (Proverbs 4:7; Micah 6:8).

(40) We are in danger to be called in question.--The "we" as used to include the rioters. The "called in question" is the same verb as that rendered "implead" in Acts 19:38. There was a risk of which Demetrius and his party had to be reminded, that they might find themselves defendants, and not plaintiffs, in a suit. A riotous "concourse" (the town-clerk uses the most contemptuous word he can find, "this mob meeting") taking the law into its own hands was not an offence which the proconsuls were likely to pass over lightly. It would hardly be thought a legitimate excuse that they had got hold of two Jews and wanted to "lynch" them.

An interesting inscription of the date of Trajan, from an aqueduct at Ephesus, gives nearly all the technical terms that occur in the town-clerk's speech, and so far confirms the accuracy of St. Luke's report: "This has been dedicated by the loyal and devoted Council of the Ephesians, and the people that serve the temple (Neokoros), Peducaeus Priscinus being proconsul, by the decree of Tiberius Claudius Italicus, the town-clerk of the people."

Verse 40. - For indeed for for, A.V.; accused for called in question, A.V.; concerning for for, A.V.; riot for uproar, A.V.; for it for whereby, A.V.; and as touching it we shall not be able to for we may, A.V. and T.R.; account for an account, A.V. We are in danger (κινδυνεύομεν: see ver. 27, note). To be accused concerning this day's riot. The Greek cannot well be so construed. The margin is right; ἐγκαλεῖσθαι στάσεως is "to be charged with sedition;" περὶ τῆς σήμερον is for τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας, "this day," as in Acts 20:26, τῇ σήμερον ἡμέρᾳ: only in English we should say, "on account of this day," i.e. what has been done this day. The R.T. places a stop after μηδενὸς αἰτίου ὑπάχοντοςρ As touching it. But "it" must mean "the riot," which is feminine, whereas οϋ is masculine; so that the R.T. is impossible to construe. It is much better, therefore, to adhere to the T.R., which has good manuscript authority, and to construe as the A.V. Whereby, equivalent to "on the ground of which" (Meyer). With regard to the great tumult to which the foregoing narrative relates, it is certain that St. Luke has by no means exaggerated its importance. In his Second Epistle to the Corinthians, written from Macedonia shortly after his departure from Ephesus, St. Paul speaks as one still smarting under the severity of his sufferings. In the language of trust, yet of a trust sorely tried, he speaks of the Father of mercies" who comforteth us in all our tribulation." He speaks of the sufferings of Christ as abounding in him. And then, referring directly to the trouble which came upon him in Asia, he says, "We were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: who delivered us from so great a death" (2 Corinthians 1:4-10). And the same tone breaks out again in 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; 2 Corinthians 6:4-10; 2 Corinthians 11:23-27; 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10. It is also very probable that it was on this occasion that Priscilla and Aquila saved St. Paul's life at the risk of their own, to which he alludes in Romans 16:3, 4, written after he had reached Corinth from Macedonia, i.e. before Easter of the year So that it is certain that the riot and the danger to St. Paul's life were even greater than we should have inferred from St. Luke's narrative alone. It should be added, with reference to the three years residence at Ephesus (Acts 20:21) which this nineteenth chapter describes, that one or two important incidents which occurred are not related by St. Luke. The first is that encounter with a savage rabble to which St. Paul refers in 1 Corinthians 15:32, but of which we have no account in the Acts. It must have happened in the early part of his sojourn at Ephesus. Another is a probable visit to Corinth, inferred from 2 Corinthians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 12:14, 21; 2 Corinthians 13:1, 2; and thought to have been caused by bad accounts of the moral state of the Corinthian Church, sent to him at Ephesus. It was probably a hasty visit, and in contrast with it he says, in 1 Corinthians 16:7, with reference to his then coming visit, "I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you." It is also thought that there was another letter to the Corinthians, written from Ephesus, soon after that second visit, which is now lost, but is alluded to in 1 Corinthians 5:9. The First Epistle to the Corinthians was manifestly written at this time from Ephesus (see 1 Corinthians 16:8, 19). Some think that the Epistle to the Galatians was also written from Ephesus, a little before the First Epistle to the Corinthians (see 1 Corinthians 16:1; Galatians 2:10); but Renan thinks it was written from Antioch, before he came to Ephesus.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

we are in jeopardy of
κινδυνεύομεν (kindyneuomen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2793: To be in danger or peril. From kindunos; to undergo peril.

being charged
ἐγκαλεῖσθαι (enkaleisthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 1458: To bring a charge against, accuse. From en and kaleo; to call in, i.e. Bring to account.

with rioting
στάσεως (staseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4714: From the base of histemi; a standing, i.e. position; by implication, a popular uprising; figuratively, controversy.

for
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

today’s [events],
σήμερον (sēmeron)
Adverb
Strong's 4594: Today, now. Neuter of a presumed compound of the article ho and hemera; on the day; generally, now.

[and] we have
δυνησόμεθα (dynēsometha)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

no
μηδενὸς (mēdenos)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.

justification
αἰτίου (aitiou)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 159: The cause, author; the culprit, the accused; the crime. From the same as aiteo; causative, i.e. a causer.

to account
λόγον (logon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

for
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

this
ταύτης (tautēs)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

commotion.”
συστροφῆς (systrophēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4963: From sustrepho; a twisting together, i.e. a secret coalition, riotous crowd.


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NT Apostles: Acts 19:40 For indeed we are in danger (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
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