Josep Rius-Camps - Jenny Read-Heimerdinger, «The Variant Readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Aspostles (XXV) (Acts 18:24–19:40).», Vol. 26 (2013) 127-163
In the text of Acts according to Codex Bezae, a fourth and final part of the book begins at 18.24. It is Paul’s ultimate goal of Rome that separates it from the earlier missionary phases and confers unity on the remainder of the book. In this opening section (Section I), his activity will be centred for three years in Ephesus, the main city of Asia, where he will meet with some success despite hostility from some of the Jews. In his dealings with the Gentiles, opposition will also be encountered because of the threat posed by his teachings to the trade of the city. The Bezan narrator indicates plainly that Paul’s travel to Ephesus should have been the initial stage of his journey to the imperial capital. Additional references in Codex Bezae to the directions given to Paul by the Holy Spirit make clear that his visit had been prepared for by the work of Apollos; however, it was contrary to his own intentions, which were rather to go back to Jerusalem. The struggle against the divine leading is seen as Paul terminates his stay in Asia once he has carefully prepared for his return to Jerusalem.
150 Josep Rius-Camps and Jenny Read-Heimerdinger
εἰϛ τὴν Ἀσίαν B P74 אrell, in Asiam d || ἐν τῇ Ἀσίᾳ D 104. 547. 917. 1838
pc gig e vg; Theophlem.
The preposition εἰϛ with the accusative in B03 is probably a pregnant
use, implying that Paul will move out of Ephesus into other parts of Asia
(Winer, Grammar, pp. 516–518; B-D-R, §205). ἐν with the dative in D05
expresses the idea that he remained in Asia rather than travelling with
Timothy and Erastus.
[C] 19:23-40 The Protest of the Silversmiths
The structure of this sequence is unusual in that it forms a linear pat-
tern arranged in successive groups of two parallel elements. A backdrop
is formed by the chaotic protesting that the Ephesians carried out against
the threat created by Paul’s teaching to the commercial enterprises of the
city and to the status of the goddess Artemis: [c, c', d] and [f, f']. Three key
people stand out from the background as they make or attempt to make
speeches: Demetrius, [b, b'], Alexander [g, g', h] and the town clerk [i, i'].
[a] 19:23 Introduction: Trouble in Ephesus
[b] 19:24 Demetrius
[b'] 19:25-27 The speech of Demetrius
[c] 19:28 The reaction of the craftsmen
[c'] 19:29a The reaction of the city
[d] 19:29b The move to the theatre
[e] 19:30 The disciples restrain Paul
[e'] 19:31 The Asiarchs restrain Paul
[f] 19:32a Contradictory shouts
[f'] 19:32b Confusion in the assembly
[g] 19:33a Alexander
[g'] 19:33b The attempted speech of Alexander
[h] 19:34 The response to Alexander
[i] 19:35-40a The speech of the town clerk
[i'] 19:40b The town clerk dismisses the meeting
Translation
Codex Bezae D05 Codex Vaticanus B03
[a] 19:23 Around that time, there arose 19:23 Around that time, there arose
no small disturbance concerning no small disturbance concerning the
the Way. Way.