Acts 19:33
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
1 of 20
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλου
the multitude
G3793
ὄχλου
the multitude
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
4 of 20
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
προεβίβασαν
they drew
G4264
προεβίβασαν
they drew
Strong's:
G4264
Word #:
5 of 20
to force forward, i.e., bring to the front, instigate
Ἀλέξανδρος
Alexander
G223
Ἀλέξανδρος
Alexander
Strong's:
G223
Word #:
6 of 20
alexander, the name of three israelites and one other man
προβαλόντων
forward
G4261
προβαλόντων
forward
Strong's:
G4261
Word #:
7 of 20
to throw forward, i.e., push to the front, germinate
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἀλέξανδρος
Alexander
G223
Ἀλέξανδρος
Alexander
Strong's:
G223
Word #:
13 of 20
alexander, the name of three israelites and one other man
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χεῖρα
with the hand
G5495
χεῖρα
with the hand
Strong's:
G5495
Word #:
16 of 20
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
ἤθελεν
and would
G2309
ἤθελεν
and would
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
17 of 20
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ἀπολογεῖσθαι
have made his defence
G626
ἀπολογεῖσθαι
have made his defence
Strong's:
G626
Word #:
18 of 20
to give an account (legal plea) of oneself, i.e., exculpate (self)
Historical Context
Jews in Asia Minor faced recurring tensions with pagan populations, periodically erupting in violence (as under Caligula and later Hadrian). Jewish communities often sought to distance themselves from Christian controversies to maintain precarious social standing. This Alexander may be the coppersmith mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:14 who opposed Paul, suggesting a pattern of Jewish hostility to Paul's Gentile mission.
Questions for Reflection
- How do efforts to distance yourself from 'controversial' believers reflect either wisdom or cowardice?
- What does this failed apologetic teach about the futility of appeasing mobs versus standing firm in truth?
Analysis & Commentary
They drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward—The Jews pushed Alexander (probably a Jewish spokesperson) to make his defense (ἀπολογεῖσθαι, apologeisthai) to the crowd, likely attempting to distance Judaism from Paul's Christianity. Alexander beckoned with the hand (κατασείσας τὴν χεῖρα, kataseisas tēn cheira)—the rhetorical gesture for requesting audience silence—but never got to speak (verse 34).
This moment captures the tragic irony of Jewish-Christian relations in Acts: Jews repeatedly tried to distinguish themselves from Christians, fearing Gentile hostility would spill onto them. Yet in pagan eyes, the distinction meant nothing—both were ethnic/religious minorities. Alexander's attempted apologetic failed because mob rage doesn't listen to nuance.