Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.
I. Paul is here brought into some trouble at Ephesus, just when he is forecasting to go thence, and to cut out work for himself elsewhere. See here, 1. How he laid his purpose of going to other places, Act 19:21, Act 19:22. He was a man of vast designs for God, and was for making his influences as widely diffusive as might be.
Commenting on Acts 19:21-41
For we are in danger of being called in question,.... Or are liable to be called to an account, reproved, and punished by the Roman proconsul, appointed over this city, or by the Roman emperor, or the Roman senate: for this day's uproar; it being capable of being interpreted as a riot, tumult, and sedition: there being no cause whereby we may give an account...
Verse 36. Seeing then, etc. Since this is established and admitted. Since no one can call in question the zeal of the Ephesians on this subject, or doubt the sincerity of their belief. And since there can be no danger that this well-established worship is to be destroyed by the efforts of a few evil-disposed Jews, there is no occasion for this tumult. Be quiet. Be appeased.