Acts 19:33
What does Acts 19:33 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 19:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 19:33 means
Alexander is brought out of the crowd, the Jews putting him forward. He motions for silence, intending to make a defense to the people. Likely, the Jewish community wants to disassociate itself from Paul’s movement before an increasingly dangerous mob. Alexander represents an attempt at reasoned speech in a chaotic environment. Yet the scene exposes the limits of human effort when passions are inflamed. The Jews are not the instigators of the riot, but they cannot control it either. This moment will quickly be swallowed by the crowd’s prejudice and chanting, showing how little space there is for nuanced distinctions in a frenzy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defence unto the people.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defence unto the people.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then they took Alexander out from among the people, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander, making a sign with his hand, was about to make a statement to the people in answer:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and out of the multitude they put forward Alexander--the Jews thrusting him forward--and Alexander having beckoned with the hand, wished to make defence to the populace,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they drew forth Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews thrusting him forward. And Alexander, beckoning with his hand for silence, would have given the people satisfaction,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But from among the crowd they put forward Alexander, the Jews pushing him forward. And Alexander, beckoning with his hand, would have made a defence to the people.
Context
This follows the depiction of general confusion in the assembly. The next verse shows the crowd’s reaction to Alexander: once they perceive he is a Jew, they shout for two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians,” shutting down any defense. This paves the way for the townclerk to intervene and restore order by appealing to civic pride and legal procedures.
v.32Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
v.33This passage
v.34But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 24:10
And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defence:
- Acts 13:16
And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken:
- Philippians 1:7
even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace.
- Acts 26:1
And Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defence:
- Acts 12:17
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place.
- Acts 21:40
And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, saying,
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