Demetrius the Silversmith

Portrait of Demetrius the Silversmith

Demetrius was a silversmith in Ephesus who made silver shrines of the goddess Diana (Artemis) and profited greatly from her cult. Alarmed that Paul's preaching was turning people from idols and threatening his trade, he gathered the craftsmen and stirred up a citywide riot, filling the theater with the cry, 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians!' His opposition shows how the gospel confronted both false worship and the economic interests bound up with it.

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Biography

Occupation
Silversmith
Era
New Testament (Acts)
Nationality
Ephesian
New Testament New Testament Era Acts Villain

Did You Know?

1

Demetrius was a silversmith who made shrines of the goddess Artemis (Diana) and, fearing Paul's preaching would ruin his trade, sparked a citywide riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:24-27).

2

His frank admission that 'by this craft we have our wealth' exposes how the Gospel threatened not just idolatry but an entire economy built around the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

3

The mob he stirred chanted 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians!' for two solid hours (Acts 19:34), a vivid snapshot of the collision between the new faith and civic-religious pride.

Key Chapters

Acts 19 Paul in Ephesus 6 min read Demetrius rouses the craftsmen against Paul, provoking the great uproar in the t...

Key Passages

Demetrius Stirs the Riot

Acts 19:24-34

Demetrius rouses the craftsmen against Paul, provoking the great uproar in the theater at Ephesus.

F24or a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paulโ€™s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31 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. 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. 34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

Read full chapter: Acts 19 โ†’

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