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Ephesus

Asia Minor

City in Asia Minor · today Ephesus (ruins) near Selçuk, Turkey

The great city of Asia, home of the temple of Artemis, where Paul ministered for three years.

Location

Overview

Ephesus was the leading city of the Roman province of Asia and home to the temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Paul made it a major centre of his work, and it heads the seven churches of Revelation.

Paul's three years

Paul reasoned daily in the hall of Tyrannus so that "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word" (Acts 19:9–10). Extraordinary miracles were done, and many who practised magic burned their costly books publicly (Acts 19:19).

The riot of the silversmiths

As the gospel spread, Demetrius the silversmith, fearing for the trade in Artemis shrines, stirred a riot; the crowd filled the theatre for two hours crying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians" (Acts 19:28, 34).

The church of Ephesus

Paul wrote the Ephesians the letter that bears their name, left Timothy to lead the church there, and in Revelation the risen Christ commends Ephesus for its labour but warns it has "left thy first love" (Revelation 2:4).

Events Here

54 AD

Paul teaches daily in the hall of Tyrannus for two years

Acts 19:9
56 AD

The riot of the silversmiths fills the theatre

Acts 19:28
95 AD

The risen Christ addresses the church of Ephesus

Revelation 2:4

Scripture References

17 verses
Acts9 verses

Acts 18:19

And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

Acts 18:21

But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

Acts 18:24

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

Acts 19:1

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

Acts 19:17

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

Acts 19:26

Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

Acts 19:35

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? a worshipper: Gr. the temple keeper

Acts 20:16

For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

Acts 20:17

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

1 Corinthians2 verses

1 Corinthians 15:32

If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. after: or, to speak after the manner of men

1 Corinthians 16:8

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

Ephesians1 verse

Ephesians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

1 Timothy1 verse

1 Timothy 1:3

As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

2 Timothy2 verses

2 Timothy 1:18

The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

2 Timothy 4:12

And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

Revelation2 verses

Revelation 1:11

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Revelation 2:1

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Archaeology & History

The ruins of Ephesus near Selçuk in western Turkey are among the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean — the great theatre that held the riot (seating some 24,000), the Library of Celsus, and the marble streets all survive. Only foundations remain of the once-vast temple of Artemis.

People who appear here

Paul4×
Apollos2×
Jesus2×

Frequently asked about Ephesus

Where is Ephesus today?

Today, Ephesus corresponds to Ephesus (ruins) near Selçuk, Turkey.

What happened at Ephesus in the Bible?

Key biblical events at Ephesus include paul teaches daily in the hall of tyrannus for two years; the riot of the silversmiths fills the theatre; the risen christ addresses the church of ephesus.

Where is Ephesus first mentioned in the Bible?

Ephesus is first mentioned in Acts 18:19.

How often is Ephesus mentioned in the Bible?

Ephesus is mentioned in 17 verses across 6 books: Acts, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Revelation.

How long did Paul minister in Ephesus?

About three years — longer than anywhere else recorded — teaching daily so that all Asia heard the word.

What was the riot at Ephesus about?

Demetrius and the silversmiths, whose trade in idols of Artemis (Diana) was threatened by the gospel, stirred up a crowd that filled the theatre shouting "Great is Diana of the Ephesians."