Theatre
LocationsGeographical Setting
A large open-air amphitheater in ancient Ephesus used for public assemblies, theatrical performances, and civic gatherings.
What is the meaning of Theatre in the Bible?
The theatre in Ephesus was a monumental structure capable of seating approximately 25,000 people, serving as the primary venue for civic life and public discourse in the Roman province of Asia. It is specifically identified in Acts 19:29 and 31 as the site where a riot erupted against the Apostle Paul due to his preaching against idolatry.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the theatre as a center for civic assembly clarifies the scale and nature of the conflict in Acts 19, showing that the riot was a public political disturbance involving the entire city population rather than a private religious dispute.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Theatre in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Theatre clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.