Introduction

The narrative of Paul's travels throughout the Aegean demonstrates what typically happens when Paul stays in a region for different periods of time. For example, when he visits a Roman colony (Philippi) for a few weeks, the local authorities (archontai) or magistrates (stratêgoi) are made aware of his activities (Acts 16:19-24). When he visits a large city (Corinth) and stays for eighteen months, news of his activity reaches Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia (Acts 18:12-17). This trend sets up even larger expectations when we see that Paul stays in the metropolis of Ephesus for three years (Acts 20:31). Let's see what happens.

In the following treatment of Paul's Ephesus, we will briefly look at the various episodes where Luke draws our attention to city of Ephesus. Then we will take tour of the ancient city in the Site Guide section. Lastly, we will see how Luke presents Paul's activity in the city and the role of Ephesus in his narrative (Ephesus in Acts).

Episodes Connected to Ephesus

1. Transition, Including a Brief Visit to Ephesus (18:18-23)
2. Apollos (18:24-28)
3. Disciples of John (19:1-7)
4. Paul Teaches in the City (19:8-10)
5. The Sons of Sceva (19:11-20)
6. Paul's Travel Plans (19:21-22)
7. Demetrius and the Riot (19:23-41)
8. Further Aegean Ministry (20:1-14)
9. Paul and the Ephesian Elders (20:15-38)

Why Ephesus?

First, I would like to look at the reason why Luke would choose to put such a great emphasis on Paul's ministry in Ephesus. Once we consider the city's antiquity, size, reputation, as well as the Christian tradition in the city, it seems clear that Ephesus was the best location for Luke to highlight some of Paul's greatest achievements.

The city has a long history. It is difficult to say when the area of Ephesus was first occupied, but it seems to have had a Greek connection as early as 1100 BCE. It was the chief of the twelve Ionian cities on Asia Minor's west coast. Croesus conquered it in 560 BCE. Antiochus captured it around 196 BCE. It was incorporated into the Roman province of Asia in 133 BCE, though Mithridates had a brief stronghold there in 88 BCE. After its prime, Ephesus was eventually sacked by the Goths in 263 CE.

The size and population of Ephesus is very significant. Not only was Ephesus a large city, but it was the largest city that Paul visited during his missionary activities (Rome is excluded). With an estimated population between 200,000 and 250,000 people, Ephesus stood as the third largest city in the Roman Empire behind Rome and Alexandria (Trebilco "Asia," 307). It was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and the main port of its region.

Also important is the city's reputation. Ephesus stood out as a city of interest, just like other well-known cities in Paul's day such as Athens and Corinth. With the Artemision being one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, Ephesus was the ideal place for the Pauline mission to penetrate the core of the Greco-Roman cultus—perhaps this was the reason his mission was so successful. It was the capital city for the province of Asia, and held considerable status for both Greek and Roman interests.

What is also undeniable about Ephesus is the role it played in the early development of Christianity. Ephesus had a legitimate Christian tradition and connection to Paul. Although Luke could have emphasized Paul's activity in cities like Alexandria or Rome, he did not. Alexandria, a large city in its own right, later became a hub of Christian activity, but there is no Pauline tradition connected to that city. It is true that Rome is an important city for Paul, but for Luke's purposes Rome served as Paul's goal, not a grand center of missionary activity. He arrived in Rome in chains, and though his preaching is successful there it makes more sense in the narrative for Ephesus to be the focus of Paul's extended ministry. Not only is there an epistle to the Ephesians attributed to Paul, but further references are made to that city in the Pauline Corpus: "I fought with beasts at Ephesus" (1 Cor 15:32) and "I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost" (1 Cor 16:8). There are even a few references to Ephesus in the Pastoral Epistles (1 Tim 1:3; 2 Tim 1:18; 4:12). Ephesus also shares a connection with Johannine Christianity and the city is included in the list of the seven churches of Asia Minor (Rev 1:11, 2:1). Further, tradition claims that Mary spent the later part of her life in Ephesus.

Lastly, Luke draws attention to Ephesus by its placement in the narrative of Acts. The Ephesus episodes occur about halfway through Luke's narrative on Paul, which is roughly three quarters of the way through the book of Acts. It occurs toward the end of the section of Paul's ministry before his final trip to Jerusalem and his journey to Rome. Ephesus functions as the climax of Paul's ministry. While Luke's goal is to get Paul to Rome, the most significant portrayal of "the Way" is found in Ephesus.

Before looking in further detail at the specific panels in Acts, a guide through the ancient city will help us contextual these events in their ancient setting.

Next: "Site Guide of Ephesus" —>