²⁹ The whole city ·became confused [was filled with confusion; was in an uproar]. The people grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus [20:4; 27:2; Col. 4:10; Philem. 24], who were from Macedonia and were traveling with Paul, and ·ran [rushed together] to the theater. ³⁰ Paul wanted to ·go in and talk to the crowd [appear before the assembly], but the ·followers [disciples] did not let him. ³¹ Also, some ·leaders of Asia [provincial authorities; ^Lof the Asiarchs; ^Ca group of wealthy political leaders who had religious functions] who were friends of Paul sent him a message, ·begging [urging; encouraging] him not to ·go [venture; take the risk of going] into the theater.