SEV Biblia, Chapter 19:40
Porque peligro hay de que seamos argidos de sedicin por hoy, no habiendo ninguna causa por la cual podamos dar razn de este concurso.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 19:40
Verse 40. For we are in danger, &c.] Popular commotions were always dreaded by the Roman government; and so they should by all governments; for, when might has nothing to direct its operations but passion, how destructive must these operations be! One of the Roman laws made all such commotions of the people capital offenses against those who raised them. Qui caetum et concursus fecerit, capite puniatur: "He who raises a mob shall forfeit his life." If such a law existed at Ephesus-and it probably did, from this reference to it in the words of the town-clerk or recorder-then Demetrius must feel himself in great personal danger; and that his own life lay now at the mercy of those whom he had accused, concerning whom he had raised such an outcry, and against whom nothing disorderly could be proved.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 40. For we are in danger of being called in question , etc.] 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 days uproar; it being capable of being interpreted as a riot, tumult, and sedition: there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse : or no reason can be assigned, why such a number of people should gather together; none can be given that will justify it, or that can be alleged in favour of it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 32-41 - The Jews came forward in this tumult. Those who are thus careful to distinguish themselves from the servants of Christ now, and are afrai of being taken for them, shall have their doom accordingly in the grea day. One, having authority, at length stilled the noise. It is a very good rule at all times, both in private and public affairs, not to be hasty and rash in our motions, but to take time to consider; and alway to keep our passions under check. We ought to be quiet, and to d nothing rashly; to do nothing in haste, of which we may repent a leisure. The regular methods of the law ought always to stop popula tumults, and in well-governed nations will do so. Most people stand i awe of men's judgments more than of the judgement of God. How well it were if we would thus quiet our disorderly appetites and passions, by considering the account we must shortly give to the Judge of heaven an earth! And see how the overruling providence of God keeps the publi peace, by an unaccountable power over the spirits of men. Thus the world is kept in some order, and men are held back from devouring eac other. We can scarcely look around but we see men act like Demetriu and the workmen. It is as safe to contend with wild beasts as with me enraged by party zeal and disappointed covetousness, who think that all arguments are answered, when they have shown that they grow rich by the practices which are opposed. Whatever side in religious disputes, or whatever name this spirit assumes, it is worldly, and should be discountenanced by all who regard truth and piety. And let us not be dismayed; the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters he can still the rage of the people __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ γαρ 1063 CONJ κινδυνευομεν 2793 5719 V-PAI-1P εγκαλεισθαι 1458 5745 V-PPN στασεως 4714 N-GSF περι 4012 PREP της 3588 T-GSF σημερον 4594 ADV μηδενος 3367 A-GSN αιτιου 159 A-GSN υπαρχοντος 5225 5723 V-PAP-GSN περι 4012 PREP ου 3739 R-GSN δυνησομεθα 1410 5695 V-FDI-1P αποδουναι 591 5629 V-2AAN λογον 3056 N-ASM της 3588 T-GSF συστροφης 4963 N-GSF ταυτης 3778 D-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
40. Concourse (sustrofhv). Lit., a twisting together: hence of anything which is rolled or twisted into a mass; and so of a mass of people, with an underlying idea of confusion: a mob. Compare ch. xxviii. 12.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
19:40 {For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day's riot} (kai gar kinduneuomen egkaleisqai stasews peri tes semeron). The text is uncertain. The text of Westcott and Hort means "to be accused of insurrection concerning today's assembly." The peril was real. kinduneuomen, from kindunos, danger, peril. Old verb, but in the N.T. only here and #Lu 8:23; 1Co 15:30. {There being no cause for it} (medenos aitiou huparcontos). Genitive absolute with aitios, common adjective (cf. aitia, cause) though in N.T. only here and #Heb 5:9; Lu 23:4,14,22. {And as touching it} (peri hou). "Concerning which." But what? No clear antecedent, only the general idea. {Give an account of this concourse} (apodounai logon peri tes sustrofes tautes). _Rationem reddere_. They will have to explain matters to the proconsul. sustrofe (from sun, together, strefw, to turn) is a late word for a conspiracy (#Ac 23:12) and a disorderly riot as here (Polybius). In #Ac 28:12 sustrefw is used of gathering up a bundle of sticks and of men combining in #Mt 17:22. Seneca says that there was nothing on which the Romans looked with such jealousy as a tumultuous meeting.
