Acts 19:31

Mace New Testament

but was prevented by his disciples, and by the primates of Asia, who were his friends, and sent to desire he would not venture to the theatre:

Parallel Translations

Simplified Cowboy Version
There were even city officials who were friends of Paul who sent him a message to stay away from the stadium or he would likely be killed.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

Legacy Standard Bible
Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

Bible in Basic English
And some of the rulers of Asia, being his friends, sent to him, requesting him seriously not to put himself in danger by going into the theatre.

Darby Translation
and some of the Asiarchs also, who were his friends, sent to him and urged him not to throw himself into the theatre.

New King James Version
Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.

Christian Standard Bible®
Even some of the provincial officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent word to him, pleading with him not to take a chance by going into the amphitheater.

World English Bible
Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And some also of the principal officers of Asia, being his friends, sent to him and desired, that he would not venture himself into the theatre.

Weymouth's New Testament
A few of the public officials, too, who were friendly to him, sent repeated messages entreating him not to venture into the Theatre.

King James Version (1611)
And certaine of the chiefe of Asia, which were his friends, sent vnto him, desiring him that he would not aduenture himselfe into the Theatre.

Literal Translation
And also some of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sending to him begged him not to give himself into the theater.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Certayne also of ye chefe of Asia which were Pauls good frendes, sent vnto him, and desyred him, that he shulde not preasse in to the open place.

Amplified Bible
Even some of the Asiarchs (officials) who were his friends sent word to him and repeatedly warned him not to venture into the amphitheater.

American Standard Version
And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.

Revised Standard Version
some of the A'si-archs also, who were friends of his, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Certayne also of ye chefe of Asia which were his frendes sent vnto him desyrynge him that he wolde not preace into the comen hall.

Update Bible Version
And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and implored him not to adventure himself into the theatre.

Webster's Bible Translation
And certain of the chief of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him, desiring [him] that he would not adventure himself into the theater.

Young's Literal Translation
and certain also of the chief men of Asia, being his friends, having sent unto him, were entreating him not to venture himself into the theatre.

New Century Version
Also, some leaders of Asia who were friends of Paul sent him a message, begging him not to go into the theater.

New English Translation
Even some of the provincial authorities who were his friends sent a message to him, urging him not to venture into the theater.

Berean Standard Bible
Even some of Paul's friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.

Contemporary English Version
A few of the local officials were friendly to Paul, and they sent someone to warn him not to go.

Complete Jewish Bible
Even some of the officials of the province, friends of his, sent a message begging him not to risk entering the theater.

English Standard Version
And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Certaine also of the chiefe of Asia which were his friendes, sent vnto him, desiring him that hee woulde not present him selfe in the Common place.

George Lamsa Translation
And likewise some of the chiefs of Asia Minor, because they were his friends, sent to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the theatre.

Hebrew Names Version
Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.

International Standard Version
Even some officials of the province of Asia who were his friends sent him a message urging him not to risk his life in the theater.

Etheridge Translation
And the chiefs of Asia, because they were his friends, sent, praying of him not to deliver [fn] himself by going into the theatre.

Murdock Translation
And likewise the chiefs of Asia, because they were his friends, sent and requested of him, that he would not expose himself by going into the theatre.

New Living Translation
Some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, also sent a message to him, begging him not to risk his life by entering the amphitheater.

New Life Bible
Some of the city leaders who were his friends told him not to go to the meeting.

English Revised Version
And certain also of the chief officers of Asia, being his friends, sent unto him, and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.

New Revised Standard
even some officials of the province of Asia, who were friendly to him, sent him a message urging him not to venture into the theater.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Moreover, certain of the Asiarchs also, being his friends, sending unto him, were beseeching him not to adventure himself into the theatre.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And some also of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring that he would not venture himself into the theatre.

King James Version
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.

Lexham English Bible
And even some of the Asiarchs who were his friends sent word to him and were urging him not to risk himself by going into the theater.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But certaine of ye chiefe of Asia, which were his friendes, sent vnto hym, desiryng hym that he would not preasse into the common hall.

Easy-to-Read Version
Also, some leaders of the country who were friends of Paul sent him a message telling him not to go into the stadium.

New American Standard Bible
Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent word to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater.

Good News Translation
Some of the provincial authorities, who were his friends, also sent him a message begging him not to show himself in the theater.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And also summe of the princis of Asie, that weren hise freendis, senten to him. and preieden, that he schulde not yyue hym silf in to the teatre.

Contextual Overview

²¹ after this, Paul had a design to pass thro' Macedonia and Achaia in his way to Jerusalem: purposing when he had been there to make a visit to Rome. ²² he sent therefore Timothy and Erastus, two of his assistants in the ministry, before to Macedonia; but stay'd himself in Asia for some time. ²³ It was then a tumult happen'd at Ephesus upon account of the christian sect. ²⁴ for one Demetrius, a silver-smith, who made little models of Diana's temple, and so furnish'd a deal of employment to the workmen in that trade, ²⁵ summon'd the company, and thus address'd them, "tho' you know, sirs, it is by this craft that we are in such plight, ²⁶ yet your own eyes and ears have inform'd you, that not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul by his persuasions has turn'd the heads of a world of people, asserting, that these are Gods of our own making, and not really such. ²⁷ so that not only our profession runs the risk of being vilified; but the temple of the great goddess Diana will be depreciated, and her majesty, so rever'd thro' all Asia, and the whole world, will be discarded." ²⁸ at these words, they were fir'd with indignation, and cry'd out, "great is Diana of the Ephesians." ²⁹ and the whole city was fill'd with confusion: all crouded in a body to the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, both of Macedonia, who had travell'd with Paul. ³⁰ upon this Paul was bent upon going. to the populace,

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the chief: Acts 19:10, Acts 16:6, Proverbs 16:7

desiring: Acts 21:12

Reciprocal: Acts 2:9 - Asia 1 Corinthians 4:9 - spectacle 2 Timothy 1:15 - that

Cross-References

Mark 9:6
for he knew not what he said, they were all so frightned.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And certain of the chief of Asia,.... Or the Asiarchs; these were not princes of Asia, rulers or governors of provinces, or cities, or civil magistrates; but priests who presided over the games and diversions at the theatre, and had the management and command of things there. Such an one was Philip the Asiarch, the church of Smyrna makes mention of in their account of the sufferings and martyrdom of Polycarp z, whom the people entreated that he would send out the lion to Polycarp; that is, out of the theatre which he had the command of; but he replied he could not do it, because he had finished the theatrical exercises: from whence it appears that he was the governor of the theatre, and had his title of Asiarch from thence, as these men had, wherefore this word should not be rendered, the "princes of Asia", as by the Vulgate Latin; nor the "chief of Asia", as by the Syriac and Arabic versions, and by ours, but rather the "Asian priests". The Ethiopic version not knowing who should be meant by them, only reads, "and some of Asia".

Which were his friends; they had a good opinion of the apostle, and a good liking of his doctrines, and wished well to his person, and were concerned for his safety; though they might not have been really converted, and truly disciples, as those in the preceding verse; for otherwise one would think they would have relinquished their office and place. These

sent unto him, messengers or letters,

desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre; they observed to him the danger he would expose himself to, and entreated he would show a greater regard to his life than to risk it in such a manner, a life might be so useful to many; and though they were the governors at the theatre, yet such was the rage and fury of the mob, that it was not in their power to restrain them from doing mischief, till such time as they were appeased.

z Apud Euseb. Eccl, Hist. l. 4. c. 15.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Certain of the chief of Asia - τῶν Ἀσιαρχῶν tōn Asiarchōn. Of the Asiarchs. These were persons who presided over sacred things and over the public games. It was their business to see that the proper services of religion were observed, and that proper honor was rendered to the Roman emperor in the public festivals, at the games, etc. They were annually elected, and their election was confirmed at Rome before it was valid They held a common council at the principal city within their province, as at Ephesus, Smyrna, Sardis, etc., to consult and deliberate about the interests committed to their charge in their various provinces (Kuinoel and Schleusner). Probably they were assembled on such an occasion now; and during their remaining there they had heard Paul preach, and were friendly to his views and doctrines.

Which were his friends - It does not appear from ibis that they were Christian converts; but they probably had feelings of respect toward him, and were disposed to defend him and his cause. Perhaps, also, there might have existed a personal acquaintance and attachment.

Would not adventure - Would not risk his life in the tumult, and under the excited feelings of the multitude.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 31. Certain of the chief of Asia — Τινες των Ασιαρχων; Some of the Asiarchs. The Asiarchs were those to whom the care and regulation of the public games were intrusted: they were a sort of high priests, and were always persons of considerable riches and influence. These could not have been Christians; but they were what the sacred text states them to have been, αυτω φιλοι, his friends; and foreseeing that Paul would be exposed to great danger if he went into the theatre, amidst such a tumultuous assembly, they sent a message to him, entreating him not to go into danger so apparent. Query: Did he not go, and fight with these wild beasts at Ephesus? 1 Corinthians 15:32.