Acts 19:31

‘And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and besought him not to venture himself into the theatre.'

This thought also occurred to certain of the Asiarchs who were friends of Paul's. They had no doubt been called to the theatre as a result of the uproar, and hurrying there recognised the full truth about the situation. So knowing Paul they sent him a message advising him to keep well away from the theatre and not to venture there.

The Asiarchs were men of great power and influence who controlled the league of cities of the province of Asia. They were chosen annually from the wealthiest and most aristocratic citizens, and probably kept the title when they retired. From their ranks were drawn the honorary high priests of the provincial cult of Roma and the Emperor, established by the league which had its headquarters at Pergamum. Among other things they were responsible for the organisation and running of the Games, much common provincial business and the cult of Roma and the Emperor, of which there were at this time at least two temples in Ephesus. Paul had clearly won the esteem of some of them and Luke mentions them because it would demonstrate to any sceptical reader that the most important and loyal men in the province were on Paul's side. Thus it drew attention to the fact that what he was doing was clearly legal and acceptable to the authorities.