And when they heard, &c., they were full of wrath The inflammatory speech of Demetrius, addressed to the superstition and avarice of the multitude, immediately produced the desired effect; the craftsmen, and all who were employed about the temple, were exasperated to the highest degree: and, enraged to think that both their trade and their religion were in danger, they ran about the city; and cried out, with great violence, Great is Diana of the Ephesians Elsner has shown how frequently this epithet of great was given by the heathen to Jupiter, Diana, and others of their superior deities. And the whole city was filled with confusion The common and natural effect of an intemperate zeal for a false religion; they rushed with one accord Demetrius and his company, with the multitude that was gathered about them; into the theatre
Where criminals were wont to be thrown to the wild beasts; dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus When they could not find Paul. Probably, they hoped to oblige them to fight with the wild beasts, as some think Paul had done before.