Acts 19:35-41 - He dismissed the assembly

19:35,36

Eventually the city clerk calmed the crowd down. He spoke in emollient tones, assuring the crowd that everyone knew how devoted to Artemis the city of Ephesus was. The image of Artemis that supposedly fell down from heaven, may have been a meteorite. Anyway, the clerk urges the crowd not to do anything rash.

19:37-39

The clerk then speaks in favour of Paul and his companions, pointing out that they had neither robbed temples nor blasphemed Artemis. It would seem that Paul had simply presented the gospel without making any outright attacks on Artemis, or any of the other gods in Ephesus. He then suggests that if Demetrius and the others have any complaint they should take it to the courts for resolution. So the matter should be dealt with through the proper channels.

19:40,41

The clerk then points out that their present behaviour risks bringing down the wrath of Rome upon them. The thing that Rome did not want in any of its regions was rioting and uproar. The assembly was then dismissed.