Act 19:33 | NETfull | STEP | Some of the crowd concluded it was about Alexander because the Jews had pushed him to the front. Alexander, gesturing with his hand, was wanting to make a defense before the public assembly.

Acts 19:33

33 Some of the crowd concluded ^{▼▼ Or “Some of the crowd gave instructions to.”} it was about ^{▼▼ The words “it was about” are not in the Greek text but are implied; ᾿Αλέξανδρον (Alexandron) is taken to be an accusative of general reference.} Alexander because the Jews had pushed him to the front. ^{▼▼ BDAG 865 s.v. προβάλλω 1 has “to cause to come forward, put forward…τινά someone…push someone forward to speak in the theater…Ac 19:33.”} Alexander, gesturing ^{▼▼ Or “motioning.”} with his hand, was wanting to make a defense ^{▼▼ The nature of Alexander’s defense is not clear. It appears he was going to explain, as a Jew, that the problem was not caused by Jews, but by those of “the Way.” However, he never got a chance to speak.} before the public assembly. ^{▼▼ Or “before the crowd.” According to BDAG 223 s.v. δῆμος 2, “in a Hellenistic city, a convocation of citizens called together for the purpose of transacting official business, popular assembly…ἀπολογεῖσθαι τῷ δ. make a defense before the assembly vs. 33.”}