Act 19:36-37 | RWP | e4.org | Cannot be gainsaid ( αναντιρητων ουν οντων ). Genitive absolute with ουν (therefore). Undeniable ( αν, αντι, ρητος ), verbal adjective. Occasionally in late Greek (Polybius, etc.), only here in N.T., but adverb αναντιρητως in . These legends were accepted as true and appeased the mob. Ye ought ( δεον εστιν ). It is necessary. Periphrastic present indicative instead of δε like ; . Be quiet ( κατεσταλμενους ). Perfect passive participle of καταστελλω (see verse ). Rash ( προπετες ). Old adjective from προ and πετω , to fall forward, headlong, precipitate. In the N.T. only here and , though common in the Koine . Better look before you leap.

‏ Acts 19:36-37

Cannot be gainsaid ( αναντιρητων ουν οντων ). Genitive absolute with ουν (therefore). Undeniable ( αν, αντι, ρητος ), verbal adjective. Occasionally in late Greek (Polybius, etc.), only here in N.T., but adverb αναντιρητως in Ac 10:29. These legends were accepted as true and appeased the mob.

Ye ought ( δεον εστιν ). It is necessary. Periphrastic present indicative instead of δε like 1Pe 1:6; 1Ti 5:13f.

Be quiet ( κατεσταλμενους ). Perfect passive participle of καταστελλω (see verse 35).

Rash ( προπετες ). Old adjective from προ and πετω, to fall forward, headlong, precipitate. In the N.T. only here and 2Ti 3:4, though common in the Koine. Better look before you leap.

Neither robbers of temples ( ουτε ιεροσυλους ). Common word in Greek writers from ιερον, temple, and συλαω, to rob, be guilty of sacrilege. The word is found also on inscriptions in Ephesus. The Jews were sometimes guilty of this crime (Ro 2:22), since the heathen temples often had vast treasures like banks. The ancients felt as strongly about temple-robbing as westerners used to feel about a horse-thief.

Nor blasphemers of our goddess ( ουτε βλασφημουντας την θεον ημων ). Nor those who blasphemed our goddess. That is to say, these men (Gaius and Aristarchus) as Christians had so conducted themselves (Col 4:5) that no charge could be placed against them either in act (temple-robbery) or word (blasphemy). They had done a rash thing since these men are innocent. Paul had used tact in Ephesus as in Athens in avoiding illegalities.