The city of Ephesus was a major city in Asia Minor (the modern country of Turkey). During New Testament times it was the fourth largest city in the Roman Empire, with perhaps as many as 250,000 residents. It was located on a good harbor and was on a busy trade route as well.

Ephesus was an important port city and commercial center. After the Romans created the province of Asia in 129 B.C., Ephesus became an important administrative center. The city was an assize center, and the Greek term for courts (agoraioi) in Acts 19:38 refers to this.

As evidenced in Acts 19:21-41, as well as in archaeological remains, Ephesus was the center of Diana/Artemis worship, and the headquarters of the evangelization of the Roman Empire for the goddess. The  city was also renowned as a center for magical practices. Foremost among these are the so-called “Ephesian letters.” These were written magical spells thought to contain apotropaic power to ward off evil spirits. Acts 19:19 describes how new Christians involved in sorcery renounced such practices by burning these scrolls valued at 50,000 days' wages.

Archaeologists have discovered that Ephesus experienced an explosion of construction activity during the first century A.D. At this time Ephesus got a new stadium, a greatly expanded agora (public square), a center for the Olympic games, a large temple for emperor worship, the famous Celsus Library, and a new 25,000 seat theater.

Although no synagogue has yet been found, evidence has been discovered of a Jewish presence in the city. Archaeologists found a funerary monument “prepared by the Jews,”  pottery and glass featuring menorahs in the Cemetery of the Seven Sleepers and a menorah was found carved into a step at the library.

There is a church tradition that the Apostle John lived and died in Ephesus, although no physical evidence of his residence has been discovered. However, three miles from the ancient city there is a tomb said to be John’s grave. A church was built over the tomb, perhaps as early as the second century, and replaced by a basilica in the fourth century.

Ephesus continued to grow until around A.D. 262 when an earthquake destroyed much of the city, and Goths sacked it the next year. It was not rebuilt until the middle of the fourth century, and for a time regained importance, peaking with the Third Ecumenical Council of the church in A.D. 431. In the early seventh century the whole city burned, and in the ninth century the harbor silted up. These events led to the city being largely abandoned, except for Christian pilgrims visiting the site, which continues to this day.

This is the first of seven letters to seven groups of Christians who lived in a circular pattern near Ephesus, who received admonitions, encouragements, and commendations from the apostle John in Revelation 2-3. Early tradition says that John took the mother of Jesus with him when he traveled to Ephesus, where he ministered until his death, though he spent some of that time in exile in Patmos, off the coast of Ephesus.

What and where is Ephesus in the New Testament?

Ephesus is a prominent ancient city mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible. It was one of the most significant cities in the Roman province of Asia (part of modern-day Turkey) and played a central role in the early Christian history and the ministry of the apostle Paul. Here's an overview of Ephesus in the New Testament:

Location: Ephesus was located in the western part of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), near the Aegean Sea coast. It was situated in the region known as Ionia and was strategically positioned at the mouth of the Cayster River.

New Testament Significance:

Pauline Epistles: Ephesus is mentioned in the New Testament primarily in the context of the apostle Paul's missionary journeys and his correspondence with the Ephesian church. The Book of Ephesians is one of the letters (or epistles) attributed to Paul and is addressed to the Christian community in Ephesus. In this letter, Paul emphasizes Christian doctrine and ethical teachings.

Acts of the Apostles: The Acts of the Apostles, another book in the New Testament, contains accounts of Paul's visits to Ephesus during his second and third missionary journeys. In Acts 18:18-21 and Acts 19:1-41, there are descriptions of Paul's interactions with the Ephesian Jews, his initial visit to the synagogue, and his subsequent teaching in the city.

Ministry and Challenges: Paul's time in Ephesus was marked by significant challenges and accomplishments. He encountered opposition from idol-makers and silversmiths who were concerned about the impact of Christianity on their businesses (Acts 19:23-41). Nevertheless, Ephesus became a significant center for early Christianity in Asia Minor.

Ephesian Church: The Ephesian church was one of the early Christian communities that Paul had established and ministered to. In his letters to Timothy (1 Timothy and 2 Timothy), Paul refers to his close relationship with the Ephesian church and addresses various issues related to leadership and doctrine.

The Great Theater: Ephesus is known for its well-preserved ancient theater, which could seat thousands of spectators. This theater is mentioned in the context of the uproar caused by Demetrius, a silversmith, during Paul's time in the city (Acts 19:23-41).

Ephesus is significant in the New Testament as a location where the apostle Paul conducted missionary work, established a Christian community, and corresponded with the church. The letters to the Ephesians, 1 Timothy, and 2 Timothy provide valuable insights into the early Christian community in Ephesus and Paul's teachings and instructions to the believers there. Today, the archaeological site of Ephesus is a popular tourist destination, showcasing well-preserved ancient ruins and historical artifacts from the city's rich history.

Lysimachus gained control of Ephesus around 294 BC and moved it from its silted location to a new site between Mt. Coressus  and Mt. Pion. Lysimachus was defeated by Seleucus Nicator in 281 BC. The city was then governed alternately by the Seleucids and Ptolemies until 188 BC when the Attalids took control. During the first century A.D. Ephesus was the fourth largest city of the Roman Empire with an estimated population of over 250,000 residents.  It was an important port city and commercial center. After the Romans created the province of Asia in 129 BC, Ephesus became an important administrative center. The city was an assize center, and the Greek term for courts (agoraioi) in Acts 19:38 refers to this. 

Although a temple to Dea Roma and Divus Julius was built as early as 29 BC, a temple to the imperial cult was not built in the city until 89/90 AD. Ephesus was known throughout the ancient world as the temple keeper of the goddess Artemis (Acts 19:35). The city was also renowned as a center for magical practices. Foremost among these are the so-called “Ephesian letters.” These were written magical spells thought to contain apotropaic power to ward off evil spirits. Acts 19:19 describes how new Christians involved in sorcery renounce such practices by burning these scrolls valued at 50,000 days’ wages. 

On his second journey, Paul was attempting to reach the city when the Holy Spirit prohibited him from preaching in Asia (Acts 16:6). On his voyage to Jerusalem he stopped briefly in Ephesus, leaving Priscilla and Aquila there. After preaching in the synagogue, he was invited to return (Acts 18:19-21). On his third journey Paul traveled directly to Ephesus after visiting the Galatian churches. Acts 19 records his 2–3 years of productive ministry in the city, which served as a base for preaching to the entire province of Asia. The riot provoked by Demetrius and the silversmiths forced Paul to leave Ephesus (19:19–20:1). After Paul’s first Roman imprisonment, he apparently returned to Ephesus to deal with problems in the church and left Timothy there (1 Tim 1:3). After Paul’s second arrest, he sent Tychicus to Ephesus to relieve Timothy so his disciple might join Paul in Rome for the apostle’s final days (2 Tim 4:12-13). Ephesus is the first of the 7 churches addressed by John in Revelation (Rev 1:11; 2:1). Ephesus is the first church addressed by Ignatius among the 7 letters he wrote in Asia, while on his way to martyrdom in Rome (110 AD). The third ecumenical council was held in Ephesus in 431.