Acts 19 33

Acts 19:33 kjv

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

Acts 19:33 nkjv

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.

Acts 19:33 niv

The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people.

Acts 19:33 esv

Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd.

Acts 19:33 nlt

The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward and told him to explain the situation. He motioned for silence and tried to speak.

Acts 19 verses

Acts 19 33 Meaning

Acts 19:33 describes a pivotal moment during the riot in Ephesus, where the Jewish community attempted to distance themselves from Paul and his Christian followers by presenting Alexander to the chaotic crowd. Alexander, a Jew, was evidently put forward as their representative, or perhaps was physically pulled out to be identified, to make a defense to the gathered people. His intention was to clarify the Jewish position, demonstrating they did not share Paul's opposition to pagan deities, thereby hoping to avert the mob's anger from themselves. However, the crowd's recognition of him as a Jew prevented him from speaking, highlighting the deeply rooted animosity and confusion amidst the uproar.

Acts 19 33 Context

This verse occurs during the climax of a severe riot in Ephesus. Paul's successful ministry had led many Ephesians to abandon idolatry, particularly the worship of the goddess Artemis (Diana to the Romans). This greatly agitated Demetrius, a silversmith who manufactured Artemis shrines, as his livelihood and that of many others involved in the pagan cult were threatened. Demetrius incited his fellow craftsmen and eventually the entire city against Paul and his companions. The resulting uproar filled the theater, where the crowd, largely confused but fueled by emotion and prejudice, clamored against "Paul and his friends." The Jews, witnessing this escalating mob violence and perhaps fearing they would be associated with the Christian "destroyers of temples" due to the common misconception that Christians were merely a sect of Judaism, strategically attempted to separate themselves from Paul by pushing Alexander forward. They wanted to publicly declare their non-participation in undermining Artemis worship, thereby trying to deflect the crowd's wrath from themselves.

Acts 19 33 Word analysis

• And: (καὶ - kai) Connects this action directly to the ongoing chaos in the theater, showing it as a spontaneous development within the riot.
• they drew: (προεβίβασαν - proebibasan) Derived from probibazō, meaning "to cause to go forward," "to draw forth," or "to put forward." Implies active participation, possibly compelling or urging someone forward, rather than a mere volunteer stepping up. It suggests an intentional public presentation by the instigators.
• Alexander: (Ἀλέξανδρον - Alexandron) A common Greek name, meaning "defender of men" or "man defender." His specific identity is unknown beyond being Jewish. Scholars suggest he was a prominent figure within the Ephesian Jewish community, chosen for his potential to calm or address the mob. This Alexander is generally not identified with Alexander the coppersmith mentioned in 1 Tim 1:20 and 2 Tim 4:14 due to differences in context and role.
• out of the multitude: (ἐκ τοῦ ὄχλου - ek tou ochlou) Indicates he was extracted from the general crowd, specifically suggesting he was taken from among the Jewish contingent within that multitude.
• the Jews: (τῶν Ἰουδαίων - tōn Ioudaiōn) Specifies the actors. This is a critical detail, highlighting the strategic move by the Jewish community to dissociate themselves from Paul's group, demonstrating their anxiety and desire to maintain distinctness from the emerging Christian movement in the eyes of the pagan authorities and populace.
• putting him forward: (προβαλόντων αὐτὸν - probalontōn auton) From proballō, "to throw forward," "to put before," "to propose," or "to nominate." This participle reinforces proebibasan, emphasizing the deliberate and calculated act of presenting Alexander. It implies nomination or public display for a specific purpose.
• And Alexander motioned: (Ἀλέξανδρος δὲ κατασείσας - Alexandros de kataseisas) Kataseisas from kataseiō, meaning "to shake down" or "to make a sign with the hand." A common ancient gesture to request silence or gain attention, often used by public speakers.
• with his hand: (τὴν χεῖρα - tēn cheira) Specifies the instrument of his motion, a universal non-verbal signal for communication.
• desiring: (ἤθελεν - ēthelen) From thelō, "to will," "to wish," or "to desire." Expresses Alexander's clear intention or readiness to speak.
• to make his defense: (ἀπολογεῖσθαι - apologeisthai) From apologeomai, "to speak in defense," "to make an apology" (in the sense of a formal reasoned argument or justification). Not merely an excuse, but a structured explanation intended to refute charges or clarify a position. This would likely have been a defense of the Jewish position, distinguishing it from Paul's.
• to the people: (τῷ δήμῳ - tō dēmō) Refers to the agitated assembly or the citizen body, emphasizing the public and communal nature of the setting.

Acts 19 33 Bonus section

The fact that the crowd would not allow Alexander, a Jew, to speak (as stated in the very next verse, Act 19:34, where the crowd shouts for two hours) is highly significant. It shows that in the chaotic environment of the riot, the mere identification of Alexander as "a Jew" by the crowd rendered any defense futile. Their preconceived notions and rage overruled any attempt at rational explanation, signifying how rapidly religious and economic resentment could boil over into blind prejudice against any associated group. This inability to differentiate reflects the mob's generalized xenophobia or specific animosity, ultimately thwarting the Jewish community's strategic move for self-preservation. This also subtly illustrates that the Roman Empire's legal distinction between Judaism (a recognized religion) and Christianity (a new, unregistered sect) was not always clear in the popular mind, especially during riots where lines blurred rapidly.

Acts 19 33 Commentary

Acts 19:33 illuminates the complex social dynamics of the early Christian mission. The Jewish community's action of pushing Alexander forward was a desperate measure to avert collective punishment. Their intention was to present a public apology or defense, distancing Judaism from the 'Christ-followers' whom they feared were attracting the pagans' wrath. This act underscores the growing divide between traditional Judaism and nascent Christianity, portraying a relationship fraught with tension, where one group sought to preserve its established legal status and perceived innocence by separating from the other. Alexander, poised to speak, represents this critical moment of intended distinction. The verse highlights how perceived association with an 'unpopular' group (Christians, at that moment) could lead to danger, prompting defensive reactions even among groups previously considered united. It also prefigures later instances of persecution where the Jewish community was often quick to hand over Christian believers to authorities to avoid culpability or persecution themselves.