We visited Ephesus in Turkey in 2020 to look for places and objects that helped us picture its Bible history. Here are eleven connections we noticed, along with our photographs and practical notes for finding your way around the site.
We had also been to Ephesus in 2002. Returning years later, we found archaeologists at work and plenty more to explore. This guide records what we saw during our 2020 visit; access, displays and visitor information may have changed since then.
Where is Ephesus?
The location on Google Maps is here. But here are a few other locations off the site that you should know.
- The turnoff point on the road to get to the entrance
- Another back entrance, to avoid the crowds
- The Temple of Artemis
- The Grotto of the Seven Sleepers
We had a nice little map to help us know our way around. Here it is:
The map above helped us orient ourselves among the major features of the ancient city.
Entrance to Ephesus
We entered through the main entrance and used our MuseumKart.
We used a MuseumKart during our visit in 2020. Pass eligibility, prices and admission arrangements can change, so check the current details before travelling.
For current pass details, see the official museum pass page.
Ephesus during the time of the Bible
City: Ephesus was an important city of the Roman province of Asia. Visiting its streets, public spaces and museum helped us picture the setting of the accounts below.
Religion: Ephesus was home to the infamous Temple of Artemis (Diana to the Romans). This is one of several such idols in the local museum. Thousands from all over the empire would make a yearly pilgrimage and celebrate her for an entire month in the spring. This religious fervor caused Paul and other Christians difficulty as the book of Acts reveals.
Nearby places: The map below shows other ancient cities in the region. Distances and travel times depend on the route, so use a current map when planning your trip.
Ephesus to:
Connections to the Bible
1. The first Christians in Ephesus
Acts 2:9 – “Parthi·ans, Medes, and Elam·ites, the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Ju·dea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the province of Asia,”
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) – 2013
This verse mentions that people had come to Jerusalem from “the province of Asia” in 33 CE. This happened at Pentecost. It was an event that moved thousands from all over the world to become believers.
In this verse it refers to the Roman province of which Ephesus was the capital. It would be the first time that residents of Ephesus heard about Jesus and took action. Some 3000 got baptized in Jerusalem and it is quite possible that Ephesians were among them.
2. The Inland Causeway
Acts 18:19-21. – “So they arrived at Ephesus, and he left them there; but he entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. Although they kept requesting him to stay longer, he would not consent but said good-bye and told them: “I will return to you again, if Jehovah is willing.” And he put out to sea from Ephesus“
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) – 2013
Both verses say that Paul directly arrived and departed by sea from Ephesus. But it appears today that the city is 4 miles away from the sea. So can we really say that Paul arrived at the city? Is the scripture correct in saying this?
Yes it is. An inland causeway allowed ships to arrive straight from the sea to the city. Due to earthquakes over the years, this is no longer the case. As a result, silt has filled the causeway. Today, large depressions in the ground (shown in the map below) show a causeway going right up to the city.
Therefore the scripture is accurate. Paul arrived and departed directly from the city. We could see this causeway by walking to this spot.
3. Paul Supports Himself
Acts 20:33,34 – “I have desired no man’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my own needs and the needs of those with me.”
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) – 2013
Paul arrives in 52 CE on his third missionary tour. When he addressed the Ephesian elders later in Miletus, he indicates in this scripture that he worked in Ephesus to provide for himself, likely as a tent maker.
4. The School of Tyrannus
Acts 19:9,10 – “But when some stubbornly refused to believe,* speaking injuriously about The Way before the crowd, he withdrew from them+ and separated the disciples from them, giving talks daily in the school auditorium of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all those living in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”
Paul uses the school auditorium of Tyrannus. Though it’s location is not know, Paul was apparently free to preach there. Many inscriptions in Ephesus testify to the fact that Tyrannus was a common name.
5. Preaching House to House
Acts 20:20 – “while I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.”
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) – 2013
In Miletus Paul tells the Ephesian elders that he publicly preached from house to house in Ephesus. On the hillside here, there is a separate museum to see the houses that Paul likely preached to. They are well preserved and nicely decorated:
The Terrace Houses required a separate ticket when we visited. Check current admission arrangements before you go.
6. Masters and Slaves
Ephesians 6:5,9 – “Slaves, be obedient to your human masters, with fear and trembling in the sincerity of your hearts, as to the Christ… Also, you masters, keep treating them in the same way, not threatening, for you know that both their Master and yours is in the heavens, and there is no partiality with him.”
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) – 2013
Slaves were bought and sold in the Agora marketplace pictured below.
Some of the Ephesian Christians had slaves or were slave owners. Paul gave them instructions on how to conduct themselves as Christians. But more than that. First Corinthians 7:23 applies the actual procedure of buying and selling slaves to the Christians. In this verse Paul used the greek word ἀγορά, or agora. In 1 Corinthians 7:23 he says, “You were bought with a price.”
Paul and the Christians could connect this verse with the Roman agora where slaves were bought and sold. It made a direct connection with something they were already familiar with.
7. The Temple Keeper
Acts 19:35 – “When the city recorder had finally quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, who really is there among men who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great Artemis and of the image that fell from heaven?”
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) – 2013
This scripture uses the expression “temple-keeper” or guardian. In the Ephesus museum there was an inscription that used this same word to describe Ephesus as a guardian of the temple. More than that, it mentions silversmiths as the sponsors of the monument, testifying to their wealth and to their prominence as the scripture implies.
8. Fighting With Wild Beasts at Ephesus
1 Corinthians 15:32 – “If like other men, I have fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, of what good is it to me? If the dead are not to be raised up, “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we are to die.”
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) – 2013
Paul refers to fighting with wild beasts at Ephesus. Whether he actually fought with physical beasts is unknown. But after spending three years in Ephesus, Paul would have at the very least known of these fights. The main theater below shows where this may have taken place.
9. Mother Worship and Artemis
Acts 19:27 – Moreover, the danger exists not only that this business of ours will come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be viewed as nothing, and she who is worshipped in the whole province of Asia and the inhabited earth will be deprived of her magnificence.”
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) – 2013
It was interesting to note how devoted this city was to mother-worship, particularly Artemis. The verse in Acts says that the whole district of Asia worshiped her. She was a goddess of fertility. Hundreds of thousands would come to worship her in March/April every year. This form of worship deeply embedded into the culture and thinking of the Ephesians.
This is where Christendom adopted mother-worship. In 431 CE Church leaders of Asia hosted an ecumenical council. They decided that Mary the mother of Jesus would be “Theotokos,” a Greek word meaning “Mother of God.” Thus here in Ephesus the worship of Mary was born.
This is where the council took place. This church was built sometime before the council met. Afterwards, the church leaders renamed it The Church of Virgin Mary.
In a province and city deeply steeped in mother worship, it is not surprising that mother-worship started here in Christendom. If you want more details on this, here is a good reference on wikipedia.
10. Sexual Depravity of Ephesus
Ephesians 5:3,12 – “Let sexual immorality and every sort of uncleanness or greediness not even be mentioned among you, just as is proper for holy people; …For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention.”
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) – 2013
It was interesting to see the reason Paul wrote these words. For example, the library once had an underground passageway that led to a brothel here. All a man had to do was say, “I’m going to the library.” It really meant was that he was going to the brothel.
More than that, there is a sign that indicates how bad the immorality was in Ephesus. This sign was located on the main street of the city.
No wonder Paul spent the better part of Ephesians chapter 5 warning against sexual immorality. Evidence such as this attests to Pauls words that there were things too “shameful to even mention”
11. The Temple of Artemis
Acts 19:27 – Moreover, the danger exists not only that this business of ours will come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be viewed as nothing, and she who is worshipped in the whole province of Asia and the inhabited earth will be deprived of her magnificence.” –NWT
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) – 2013
One of the seven ancient wonders of the world is the Temple of Artemis. It’s a wonder because there is really nothing left of it. We did not see it in the main area of Ephesus. We had to drive to another place nearby – here.
Here is what is left of it. One solitary column.
Such an impressive building in it’s time no doubt had quite an influence on the Ephesians. It housed idols of the goddess Artemis.
Interesting little fact is that it is the first building in the world to be made entirely of marble. Must have been impressive.
There are many interesting connections that can be made to Christianity, but many are speculative. But I find one of them very interesting. Many believed that the Apostle John lived his last days here along with Jesus’ mother Mary. John likely wrote 1st, 2nd and 3rd John from Ephesus, but there is no inspired testimony of this.
We will likely come back here with friends and I hope to learn about more connections to the Bible.
Plan your Ephesus visit
Use the map links above to choose your entrance and find the nearby sites we mention. Check current opening hours, admission, and access with the venue before travelling. For more firsthand guides in Turkey and beyond, see our Bible History Travel page, or read about our visit to ancient Smyrna in Izmir.
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