Acts 19:35 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The town clerk— The word Γραμματευς literally signifies a scribe, or secretary; but as this person appears to have been of some authority as well as learning, the word chancellor, or recorder, seems to be very properly used by several learned translators. Mr. Biscoe endeavours to prove that the office referred not to the city of Ephesus, but to the games; and that the person who bore it, represented Apollo, one of the chief of their deities, and the supposed brother of Diana; which, if itwere indeed the case, would give great weight to his interpretation. He appears, by this speech, a person of considerable prudence and abilities; for he urged in a few words that there was no need of a public declaration that they were votaries of Diana, since every body knew it; Acts 19:35-36 that the persons accused were not guilty of any breach of the law, or any public offence, Acts 19:37 that if they were, this was not a legal method of prosecuting them, Acts 19:38-39 and that they were themselves liable toprosecution for such a tumultuous proceeding, Acts 19:40. The word Νεωκορος, here rendered a worshipper, properly signifies a priest or priestess devoted to some particular idol deity; whose business it was to look after the temple, and see that it was not only kept in good repair, but also neat and clean, and beautified in a proper manner. It appears by ancient inscriptions on marbles and coins, and by other authentic testimonies, that there were some particular persons at Ephesus who bore this office. As for the tradition of this image's failing down from Jupiter, there was the like legend concerning several other images among the heathens; as there is likewise concerning some pictures of the Virgin Mary in popish churches. The reader will find many learned quotations on these images in Biscoe, p. 307.