Luke details Paul's planned route until he reaches Rome towards the end of Acts. He intends to return to Macedonia, where he will visit Berea, Philippi, and Thessalonica, and then to Achaia, including Corinth. After this, he plans to travel to Jerusalem before finally going to Rome. However, before all this, a significant event happens in Ephesus, where the gospel confronts pagan idolatry. This situation at Ephesus involves more than just a conflict between God and pagan gods. Financial, social, and cultural factors are also at play.

The believers who have abandoned idol worship in Ephesus pose a financial threat to the business associated with the worship of Artemis. If people stop buying idols, the income of the idol-makers will be affected. Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen, who earn their livelihood by selling home shrines to Artemis, are taking steps to safeguard their business. They have heard about Paul preaching against idols in Ephesus and are worried about how it might affect them. This is not just about money; they are genuinely concerned about the impact of the Way on their beloved temple and goddess, Artemis. The message of early Christianity is clear: God is no longer worshiped in temples, whether they are Jewish or Gentile. This is because Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection, along with the gift of the Spirit, means that God's presence can be felt anywhere believers are.

The crowd quickly turns into a mob filled with anger and emotion without knowing the exact reason for the riot (v. 32). Although Paul is protected by some of the disciples, Gaius and Aristarchus, who are with him, are not so lucky (v. 29). The "Asiarchs" are Roman officials who have power in councils and oversee various civic events and festivities. The people in the crowd suggested that a Jew named Alexander should speak to the mob. However, the crowd became fervent and wild-eyed when they saw that Alexander was also a Jew. They yelled, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians," for two hours. The town clerk's point is straightforward: Ephesus is widely recognized as the hub of Artemis worship, and no circumstances or individuals could undermine that. He advises the audience to relax since the accused men have not committed any offense (v. 37). If Demetrius and his associates wish to pursue the matter, they should go through the appropriate legal channels (v. 38).

Luke mentions that Paul's journey to Jerusalem includes many familiar places, including Greece (also known as Achaia, the region of Corinth in Acts). Paul spends three months ministering to the churches there before planning to go to Syria. However, due to a Jewish plot against him, he travels to Macedonia instead. While this may seem like a setback for his journey to Jerusalem, it benefits more believers in Macedonia, Philippi, Troas, and Miletus. Paul had to leave Troas early due to a vision instructing him to go to Macedonia (16:8-10), but now he can spend a whole week with them. If there had not been a plan to harm Paul, he might not have been able to have a goodbye meeting with the Ephesian elders in Miletus (20:17-38). Luke lists seven coworkers of Paul who represent the churches that Paul established during his travels. These coworkers are helping Paul in his ministry and occasionally traveling on his behalf. They will also be with him as he delivers financial assistance from the Gentile churches to the struggling believers in Jerusalem, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16:3-4.