Acts 19:40

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 Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The town clerk addresses the Ephesian assembly to de-escalate the mob and prevent unlawful escalation. He speaks at the height of civic tension, urging the crowd to channel their grievances through formal legal channels rather than vigilante action.

The words — κινδυνεύομεν (kinduneuomen) means “we are in danger of,” and ἐγκαλεῖσθαι στάσεως (egkaleisthai staseōs) translates literally to “being accused of insurrection.”

The thread — This warning against unlawful mob action echoes Matthew 26:5, where leaders fear a riot during the feast, and Acts 17:5, where jealous opponents incite a city-wide disturbance.

Why it lands — It demands that readers recognize the legal and social peril of unregulated collective anger. The verse requires submission to lawful processes over the assumption that fervor justifies disorder.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

1 Kings 1:41 Now Adonijah and all his guests were finishing their feast when they heard the sound of the ram’s horn. “Why is the city in such a loud uproar?” asked Joab.
Matthew 26:5 “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”
Acts 17:5 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.
Acts 20:1 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.
Acts 21:31 While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil.
Acts 21:38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the Assassins into the wilderness?”