Man living at the time of the New Testament
Demetrius, a silversmith in Ephesus, stirred up opposition against Paul because his preaching threatened the business of making shrines of Artemis.
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Demetrius is mentioned in Acts 19 as a silversmith in Ephesus who crafted silver shrines of the goddess Artemis. When Paul's preaching of the gospel led many people to turn away from worshipping Artemis, Demetrius gathered his fellow craftsmen and incited a riot against Paul and his companions.
Demetrius argued that Paul's teaching threatened not only their livelihood but also the reputation of the temple of Artemis, which was renowned throughout Asia and the world (Act.19.24-27). His speech roused the crowd, who began shouting, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" The city was thrown into confusion, and Paul's companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, were dragged into the theater.
The riot was eventually quelled by the city clerk, who reminded the crowd that Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen had legal recourse if they had a complaint against anyone (Act.19.38). He also warned them about the consequences of their unlawful assembly.
The incident with Demetrius highlights the economic and religious challenges that early Christians faced as the gospel spread and confronted deeply entrenched pagan beliefs and practices. It also demonstrates the power of the gospel to transform lives and the opposition that often arises when the message of Christ threatens the status quo.
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(1.) A silversmith at Ephesus, whose chief occupation was to make “silver shrines for Diana” (q.v.), Acts 19:24, i.e., models either of the temple of Diana or of the statue of the goddess. This trade brought to him and his fellow-craftsmen “no small gain,” for these shrines found a ready sale among the countless thousands who came to this temple from all parts of Asia Minor. This traffic was greatly endangered by the progress of the gospel, and hence Demetrius excited the tradesmen employed in the manufacture of these shrines, and caused so great a tumult that “the whole city was filled with confusion.” (2.) A Christian who is spoken of as having “a good report of all men, and of the truth itself” (3 John 1:12).
belonging to corn, or to Ceres
DEME'TRIUS. 1. A silversmith who resided at Ephesus and manufactured silver shrines or small portable temples and images of Diana. See Diana. Acts 19:24. These were purchased by foreigners, who either could not come to Ephesus, or else desired a memento of the city and a model of its famous temple. This was a very lucrative business in that city, where the worship of Diana was chiefly maintained; and hence, when the gospel began to make an impression, and the people to forsake their vain idols for the service of the living God. Demetrius saw that he should lose his business unless he could still keep the people in sin. So he called a meeting of those who worked at that trade, and made a speech to them. By this harangue he inflamed the passions of his fellow-craftsmen, and they excited the multitude, until the whole city of Ephesus was thrown into an uproar, which was finally quelled by the politic and seasonable advice of the town-clerk. Acts 19. A disciple of high reputation, and, as some suppose (though without warrant), the Demetrius of Ephesus converted to the faith of the gospel. 3 John 12.
DEME'TRIUS. 1. A silversmith who resided at Ephesus and manufactured silver shrines or small portable temples and images of Diana. See Diana.
Acts 19:24. These were purchased by foreigners, who either could not come to Ephesus, or else desired a memento of the city and a model of its famous temple. This was a very lucrative business in that city, where the worship of Diana was chiefly maintained; and hence, when the gospel began to make an impression, and the people to forsake their vain idols for the service of the living God. Demetrius saw that he should lose his business unless he could still keep the people in sin. So he called a meeting of those who worked at that trade, and made a speech to them. By this harangue he inflamed the passions of his fellow-craftsmen, and they excited the multitude, until the whole city of Ephesus was thrown into an uproar, which was finally quelled by the politic and seasonable advice of the town-clerk. Acts 19.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
3 verses in 2 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G1216
It began with a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business to the craftsmen.
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.
Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also testify for him, and you know that our testimony is true.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.