Meanwhile translates a particle frequently used by Luke (see 1.6). In the present context it is used merely to indicate a temporal relationship between what has preceded and what will now follow.

The word translated meeting is in reality the term which is generally used for the official gathering of the public assembly of Ephesus. The question is whether it has this meaning in the present context or not. In light of all that had transpired and of what would happen, one must assume that this was merely an impromptu gathering rather than an official gathering of the people to conduct city business.

It is difficult to say in some languages that a meeting was in an uproar, but one can usually say “the people attending the meeting were making a great deal of noise” or “… were shouting very much.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .