Artemis’ Garments and Paul’s Aprons (Acts 19:11–12)

Abstract The practice of dressing the cult statue of Artemis in radiant garments was quite widespread in antiquity. During religious festivals, such garments were carried in procession and displayed for the benefit of spectators. By virtue of their contact with the statue, such robes were considered to be bearers of the power of the deity itself. This may provide an intriguing parallel to the strange scene wherein Paul’s thaumaturgical activity in Ephesus is undertaken by means of cloths which, upon contact with his skin, acquire a healing and exorcising power. This article tries to develop the comparison. In turn, the effectiveness of the apostle’s poor textiles in the face of the splendor of the patroness of Ephesus constitutes a profound theological statement. This statement not only offers an implicit critique of pagan worship, but also firmly establishes in the apostle’s hands a humble and unobtrusive, yet highly effective, means of salvation.