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Acts 19:24
ESV For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen.
NIV A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there.
NASB For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing considerable business to the craftsmen;
CSB For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, provided a great deal of business for the craftsmen.
NLT It began with Demetrius, a silversmith who had a large business manufacturing silver shrines of the Greek goddess Artemis. He kept many craftsmen busy.
KJV For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

What does Acts 19:24 mean?

Paul has impacted the incomes of people before. In Philippi, a slave girl, possessed by a fortune-telling demon, followed him around and yelled at him so much he expelled the demon. The girl's owners, angry that they could no longer use the girl's power to make money, had Paul and Silas arrested (Acts 16:16–24).

This is the first time on record were Paul angered an entire industry. Through the authority of the Holy Spirit, he has been healing the sick and releasing the possessed from the power of demons. So many people throughout the province of Asia, in southwest modern-day Turkey, have turned away from worshiping the Greek gods that the idol makers fear for their income. They rally the entire city, reinforcing their devotion to Artemis, until the town clerk threatens them with a charge of rioting (Acts 19:25–34).

Part of the town clerk's negotiations is reminding the crowd that Demetrius and the craftsmen can file a suit against Paul if they have sufficient evidence he's breaking the law (Acts 19:38). There's no indication this is Demetrius's goal. He knows Paul hasn't broken the law. But by riling up the people he gets what he wants: an effective marketing campaign.

Throughout the spread of Christianity, those who thoughtfully consider the story of Jesus or who desperately need the freedom and healing Jesus provides accept His offer of forgiveness (Luke 24:26–27; Acts 8:26–39). Those who are jealous of the popularity of Jesus' message or have money to lose rebel (Matthew 27:18; Acts 16:19; 17:5; 19:23–27). The trend continues today.
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