While reading through the book of Acts recently I noticed several riots that took place in the wake of Paul’s ministry. It’s interesting to note the similarities with modern riots. Riots are not to be confused with peaceful demonstrations, by the way.
There was often an individual or small group that riled up the masses. The participants didn’t always know why they were rioting or else there were various reasons for the riots. The rioters had great fear and respect for law enforcement, specifically the threat of intervention by the Roman army, which was the primary police force at the time.
The following are three examples from the Book of Acts.
Acts 17:5-9 “But the Jews who were not persuaded,
becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering
a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and
sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they
dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These
who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored
them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there
is another king--Jesus.’”
It seemed to be very easy to find evil men and to gather a mob, and thus set the city in an uproar. They couldn’t find their initial targets, so they dragged out innocent men, Jason and others, whose only crime was to offer shelter for Paul and his associates. The mob needed someone to attack.
Acts 19:24-41
“For a certain man
named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no
small profit to the craftsmen. He called them together with the workers of
similar occupation, and said: ‘Men, you know that we have our prosperity by
this trade. Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout
almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying
that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of
ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great
goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and
the world worship.’”
This one man, to protect his source of income, used the argument that Paul was discriminating against their religion. And it was effective.
“Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and
cried out, saying, ‘Great is
Diana of the Ephesians!’ So the whole city was filled with confusion, and
rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus,
Macedonians, Paul's travel companions. Some therefore cried one thing
and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know
why they had come together.”
Note the confusion, the non-unified shouts, and the uncertainty of why they were even there.
“And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: ‘Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. For we are in danger of being called in question for today's uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.’ And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.”
The city clerk, apparently an influential local leader, was very effective in controlling the mob. First he acknowledged agreement with their cause, then he clarified the charges against the victims. He then suggested the use of legal means through the courts to deal with the problem, and finally he threatened police intervention for the disorderly gathering. The Roman army was always ready to quell such disturbances, as can be seen in the next passage.
Acts 21:30-36 “And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done. And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks. When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, ‘Away with him!’”
Again, just a few men caused this uproar. The commander saved Paul’s life, but even with the police on the scene the mob continued to try to get to Paul. When the commander tried to ascertain the problem, there was too much discord and tumult to find out exactly what crime Paul had committed.
The parallels to today are pretty obvious. A few men stir up dissension, it’s easy to find willing rioters. There’s a lot of noise, shouting and confusion. The mob’s appetite is seldom filled.
The biggest contrary note is the respect for and even fear of the police. There was no way the local governments could have dismantled or defunded the Roman army.
There have been, are now, and no doubt will continue to be riots, mobs, discord and lawlessness. Our best defense is to pray for peace for ourselves, our families, our cities, and our nation.
In
spite of all the challenges that Paul faced, he could write in 2
Thessalonians 3:16
“Now
may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.”
COPYRIGHT
2020 BY CARL E GUSTAFSON
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