Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 19:33

συνεβίβασαν with אABE. Vulg. ‘detraxerunt.’

33. ἐκ δὲ τοῦ ὄχλου συνεβίβασαν Ἀλέξανδρον, and some of the multitude instructed Alexander. What he seems to have been intended to do, was to explain on behalf of the Jews, that he and his fellow Jews had no more sympathy with St Paul than the heathen multitude had. It is just possible that this Alexander may be the same with him who is mentioned 2 Timothy 4:14.

συμβιβάζω in this sense of ‘to instruct’ is common in the LXX., cf. Exodus 4:12; Exodus 4:15; Deuteronomy 4:9, &c. But προεβίβασαν of the Text. recept. gives a very good sense, ‘and out of the crowd they brought forward Alexander.’

προβαλόντων αὐτὸν τῶν Ἰουδαίων, the Jews putting him forward. Thus it becomes clear that Alexander was no Christian, for the Jews could have had no interest in bringing forward anybody who would speak in defence of St Paul. But they were clearly concerned in hindering, if they could, this uproar, raised against one who to the heathen would be counted as a Jew, from developing into a general attack on their race. We see that this might be no unlikely result, for the crowd, recognising the Jewish face of the intending speaker, would not hear a word that he had to say.

κατασείσας τὴν χεῖρα, having waved the hand, i.e. so as to ensure silence. The more usual form in N.T. is κ. τῇ χειρί. Cf. Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 21:40.

ἤθελεν�, would have made a defence. There was nothing laid against him. But the Jews felt that they were all likely to be included in the vengeance to be taken on these Jews whom Demetrius had attacked. So they put forward their spokesman to disclaim all connexion with St Paul and his companions.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Acts 19:33

Old Testament

New Testament