Acts 19:33
The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander forward to explain himself, and he motioned for silence so he could make his defense to the people.
The Jews in the crowd
This phrase indicates the presence of Jewish individuals within the tumultuous gathering in Ephesus. Historically, Jews were dispersed throughout the Roman Empire, often forming communities in major cities. In Ephesus, a city known for its devotion to the goddess Artemis, the Jewish community would have been a minority, navigating their identity amidst a predominantly pagan culture. The Greek term for "Jews" here is "Ioudaioi," which can refer to ethnic Jews or those practicing Judaism. Their presence in the crowd suggests a vested interest in the unfolding events, possibly due to the socio-religious implications of Paul's ministry.

pushed Alexander forward
The act of pushing Alexander forward implies a sense of urgency or necessity. Alexander, a common Jewish name, is likely a figure of some standing within the Jewish community. The Greek verb "probalō" suggests a forceful presentation, indicating that the Jews wanted Alexander to represent them, possibly to distance themselves from the riotous behavior or to clarify their position. This action reflects the complex dynamics between the Jewish community and the early Christian movement, as well as their desire to maintain peace with the Roman authorities.

and they shouted instructions to him
The shouting of instructions indicates a chaotic and tense atmosphere. The Greek word "boētheō" conveys a sense of loud, urgent communication, reflecting the crowd's anxiety and the high stakes of the situation. The Jews likely wanted Alexander to communicate a message that would protect their community from being associated with the uproar caused by the silversmiths' opposition to Paul. This highlights the precarious position of Jews in a predominantly Gentile society, where misunderstandings could lead to persecution.

He motioned for silence
Alexander's motion for silence, using the Greek verb "kataseiō," suggests an attempt to bring order and command attention. This gesture is significant in a setting of confusion and noise, indicating Alexander's role as a mediator or spokesperson. His desire for silence underscores the importance of his forthcoming message and his hope to be heard amidst the clamor. This act of seeking calm reflects a common biblical theme where wisdom and truth are often conveyed in moments of stillness and attentiveness.

so he could make his defense
The phrase "make his defense" translates the Greek "apologeomai," which means to speak in one's defense or to offer an explanation. This term is foundational in Christian apologetics, where believers are called to defend their faith. Alexander's intended defense likely aimed to clarify the Jewish community's stance and dissociate them from the Christian movement's impact on local commerce and religion. This reflects the broader context of early Christianity's challenge to existing religious and economic structures, often necessitating explanations and defenses.

to the people
The term "people" here, from the Greek "dēmos," refers to the assembled populace of Ephesus. This diverse crowd would have included locals, merchants, and possibly Roman officials, all with vested interests in the city's stability and prosperity. Addressing such a crowd required tact and diplomacy, as the speaker needed to navigate various cultural and religious sensitivities. This highlights the early Christians' and Jews' need to engage with broader society thoughtfully, balancing their distinct beliefs with the need for peaceful coexistence.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Alexander
A Jewish man who was pushed forward by the Jews in the crowd during the uproar in Ephesus. His role was to make a defense, possibly to dissociate the Jewish community from the Christians.

2. The Jews
Members of the Jewish community in Ephesus who were likely concerned about being associated with the Christians and the ensuing riot.

3. The Crowd
A large group of people in Ephesus, stirred up by the silversmiths who were losing business due to the spread of Christianity, which was turning people away from idol worship.

4. Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor, known for the Temple of Artemis, which was central to the local economy and religious life.

5. The Riot
A significant disturbance caused by the silversmiths who were upset over the decline in sales of idols due to Paul's preaching.
Teaching Points
Courage in the Face of Opposition
Alexander's willingness to step forward in a hostile environment is a reminder of the courage required to stand for one's beliefs.

The Importance of Clear Communication
Alexander's motion for silence indicates the need for clear and respectful communication, especially in tense situations.

Distinguishing Faith from Cultural Practices
The Jews' attempt to separate themselves from the Christians highlights the importance of distinguishing one's faith from surrounding cultural practices.

Unity Among Believers
The incident underscores the need for unity among believers, as divisions can weaken the witness of the church.

Preparedness to Defend the Faith
Like Alexander, Christians should be prepared to explain and defend their faith, even in challenging circumstances.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Alexander's actions about standing up for our beliefs in difficult situations?

2. How does the reaction of the Jews in Ephesus reflect the broader tension between Jewish and Christian communities in the early church?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our faith is clearly distinguished from cultural or societal norms that contradict biblical teachings?

4. How can we apply the principle of being prepared to give a defense of our faith in our daily lives?

5. What steps can we take to promote unity within the church, especially when facing external opposition?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Corinthians 1:22-24
This passage highlights the differing responses of Jews and Greeks to the message of Christ, which can provide context for understanding the Jewish community's actions in Ephesus.

Acts 18:24-28
Introduces Apollos, another Jewish believer who was active in Ephesus, showing the presence and influence of Jewish Christians in the area.

1 Peter 3:15
Encourages believers to always be prepared to give a defense of their faith, similar to what Alexander was attempting to do.
The Spirit of Rebellion Against the GospelE. Johnson Acts 19:21-41
The Supreme ConflictW. Clarkson Acts 19:21-41
A Popular RiotR.A. Redford Acts 19:23-41
A Typical Exhibition of Human NatureP.C. Barker Acts 19:23-41
A Good Town ClerkS. S. TimesActs 19:24-41
CovetousnessA. Mitchell, D. D.Acts 19:24-41
Defence of Vested InterestsH. C. Trumbull, D. D.Acts 19:24-41
DemetriusS. S. TimesActs 19:24-41
MobsS. S. TimesActs 19:24-41
Paul and DemetriusJ. Parker, D. D.Acts 19:24-41
Paul and DemetriusH. W. Beecher.Acts 19:24-41
Paul At EphesusR. F. Horton, M. A.Acts 19:24-41
Pocket or PrincipleH. R. Haweis, M. A.Acts 19:24-41
Self Interest in OpinionR. Venning.Acts 19:24-41
Self-Interested IdolatryJ. L. Nye.Acts 19:24-41
The Power of Obscure MenG. S. Robinson, D. D.Acts 19:24-41
The Spirit of SeditionActs 19:24-41
The Temple of DianaT. De Witt Talmage.Acts 19:24-41
The Triumphs of the GospelD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 19:24-41
The Uproar At EphesusA. F. Schauffler.Acts 19:24-41
The Uproar At EphesusSermons by the Monday ClubActs 19:24-41
The Uproar in EphesusJ. Dick, A. M.Acts 19:24-41
The Worship of DianaDean Plumptre.Acts 19:24-41
Popular Disorders -- Their Cause and CureT. Chalmers, D. D.Acts 19:32-41
The Address of the Town ClerkD. Thomas, D. D.Acts 19:32-41
The Conduct of the Town ClerkH. R. Haweis, M. A.Acts 19:32-41
The Conduct of the Town Clerk as an ExampleActs 19:32-41
The Excitement At EphesusStems and Twigs for Sermon FrameworkActs 19:32-41
The Image of DianaProf. Eadie.Acts 19:32-41
The Speech of the Town ClerkW. Hackett.Acts 19:32-41
The Tumult At EphesusJ. H. Tasson.Acts 19:32-41
People
Alexander, Apollos, Aristarchus, Demetrius, Diana, Ephesians, Erastus, Gaius, John, Jupiter, Macedonians, Paul, Sceva, Timotheus, Timothy, Tyrannus
Places
Achaia, Asia, Corinth, Ephesus, Jerusalem, Macedonia, Rome
Topics
Alexander, Assembly, Beckoned, Beckoning, Concluded, Crowd, Crowded, Defence, Defense, Drew, Forward, Front, Instructions, Intending, Jews, Making, Motioned, Motioning, Multitude, Order, Populace, Prepared, Prompted, Pushed, Pushing, Putting, Round, Shouted, Sign, Silence, Statement, Thrusting, Wished, Wishing
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Acts 19:23-40

     5919   popularity

Acts 19:23-41

     4345   metalworkers
     5936   riots

Acts 19:30-35

     5279   crowds

Acts 19:32-41

     7751   persuasion

Library
Would-Be Exorcists
'...Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?' --ACTS xix. 15. These exorcists had no personal union with Jesus. To them He was only 'Jesus whom Paul preached.' They spoke His name tentatively, as an experiment, and imitatively. To command 'in the name of Jesus' was an appeal to Jesus to glorify His name and exert His power, and so when the speaker had no real faith in the name or the power, there was no answer, because there was really no appeal. I. The only power which can cast out the evil
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Two Fruitful Years
'And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples. 2. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Fight with Wild Beasts at Ephesus
'After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. 23. And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Whitsunday.
Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? It appears, by what follows these words, that the question here related especially to those gifts of the Holy Ghost which were given, in the first age of the church, as a sign of God's power, and a witness that the work of the gospel was from God. Yet although this be so, and therefore the words, in this particular sense, cannot to any good purpose be asked now; yet there is another sense, and that not a lower but a far higher one, in which we
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

On the Study of the Evidences of Christianity.
THE investigation of that important and extensive subject which includes what have been usually designated as The Evidences of Revelation,' has prescriptively occupied a considerable space in the field of theological literature, especially as cultivated in England. There is scarcely one, perhaps, of our more eminent divines who has not in a greater or less degree distinguished himself in this department, and scarcely an aspirant for theological distinction who has not thought it one of the surest
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

Paul's Journeys Acts 13:1-38:31
On this third journey he was already planning to go to Rome (Acts 19:21) and wrote an epistle to the Romans announcing his coming (Rom. 1:7, 15). +The Chief City+, in which Paul spent most of his time (Acts 19:1, 8, 10), between two and three years upon this journey, was Ephesus in Asia Minor. This city situated midway between the extreme points of his former missionary journeys was a place where Ephesus has been thus described: "It had been one of the early Greek colonies, later the capital
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Pastoral Epistles.
Comp. § 33, pp. 327-329. Contents. The three Pastoral Epistles, two to Timothy and one to Titus, form a group by themselves, and represent the last stage of the apostle's life and labors, with his parting counsels to his beloved disciples and fellow-workers. They show us the transition of the apostolic church from primitive simplicity to a more definite system of doctrine and form of government. This is just what we might expect from the probable time of their composition after the first Roman
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Whether Baptism May be Reiterated?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism may be reiterated. For Baptism was instituted, seemingly, in order to wash away sins. But sins are reiterated. Therefore much more should Baptism be reiterated: because Christ's mercy surpasses man's guilt. Objection 2: Further, John the Baptist received special commendation from Christ, Who said of him (Mat. 11:11): "There hath not risen among them that are born of women, a greater than John the Baptist." But those whom John had baptized were baptized again, according
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Pastor in Parish (ii. ).
Work on in hope; the plough, the sickle wield; Thy Master is the harvest's Master too; He gives the golden seed, He owns the field, And does Himself what His true servants do. I take up again the all-important subject of Pastoral Visitation, for the same sort of informal and fragmentary treatment as that attempted in the last chapter, and with the same feeling that the subject is practically inexhaustible. LET THE VISITOR BE A TEACHER, WATCHING FOR OPPORTUNITIES. One object which the visitor will
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Christ's Exaltation
'Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, &c.' Phil 2:2. We have before spoken of Christ's humiliation; we shall now speak of his exaltation. Before you saw the Sun of Righteousness in the eclipse; now you shall see it coming out of the eclipse, and shining in its full glory. Wherefore God has highly exalted him;' super exaltavit, Ambrose. Above all exaltation.' Q-28: WHEREIN CONSISTS CHRIST'S EXALTATION? A: In his rising from the dead, his ascending into
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Old Faiths and the New
SECOND GROUP OF EPISTLES GALATIANS. FIRST AND SECOND CORINTHIANS. ROMANS. PROBLEMS OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY The new faith in Christ made large claims for itself. It marked an advance upon Judaism and maintained that in Christ was fulfilled all the promises made by the prophets of the coming of the Jewish Messiah. It radically antagonized the heathen religions. It had a double task to win men out of Judaism and heathenism. Only by a careful study of these great doctrinal Epistles, and the
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Supremacy of Christ
THIRD GROUP OF EPISTLES COLOSSIANS. PHILEMON. EPHESIANS. PHILIPPIANS. THE QUESTION AT ISSUE +The Supremacy of Christ.+--These Epistles mark a new stage in the writings of Paul. The great question discussed in the second group of Epistles was in regard to the terms of salvation. The question now at issue (in Colossians, Ephesians, Philippian+The Reason for the Raising of this Question+ was the development of certain false religious beliefs among which were, "asceticism, the worship of angels,
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
(LUKE I. 17.) "Oh, may I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In minds made better by their presence: live In pulses stirred to generosity; In deeds of daring rectitude; in scorn For miserable aims that end with self; In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, And with their mild persistence urge man's search To vaster issues." The Old Covenant and the New--Elijah and the Baptist--A Parallel--The Servant inferior to the Lord--The Baptism of the Holy Ghost--The
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Baptism unto Repentance
(MARK I. 4.) "The last and greatest herald of heaven's King, Girt with rough skins, hies to the desert wild; Among that savage brood the woods doth bring, Which he more harmless found than man, and mild. "His food was locusts and what there doth spring, With honey that from virgin hives distill'd, Parch'd body, hollow eyes, some uncouth thing Made him appear, long since from earth exiled." W. DRUMMOND, of Hawthornden. Repentance: its Nature--Repentance: how Produced--Repentance: its Evidences--Repentance:
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Elucidation.
The argument (p. 673, note 6,) is conclusive, but not clear. The disciples of John must have been baptized by him, (Luke vii. 29-30) and "all the people," must have included those whom Jesus called. But, this was not Christ's baptism: See Acts xix. 2, 5. Compare note 8, p. 673. And see the American Editor's "Apollos."
Tertullian—On Baptism

Whether those who had Been Baptized with John's Baptism had to be Baptized with the Baptism of Christ?
Objection 1: It would seem that those who had been baptized with John's baptism had not to be baptized with the baptism of Christ. For John was not less than the apostles, since of him is it written (Mat. 11:11): "There hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist." But those who were baptized by the apostles were not baptized again, but only received the imposition of hands; for it is written (Acts 8:16,17) that some were "only baptized" by Philip "in the name
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Wicked Can Work Miracles?
Objection 1: It would seem that the wicked cannot work miracles. For miracles are wrought through prayer, as stated above (A[1], ad 1). Now the prayer of a sinner is not granted, according to Jn. 9:31, "We know that God doth not hear sinners," and Prov. 28:9, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination." Therefore it would seem that the wicked cannot work miracles. Objection 2: Further, miracles are ascribed to faith, according to Mat. 17:19, "If you have
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

How Long Between?
It is often asked what time must elapse between the regenerating by the Spirit and the filling with the Spirit? for be it remembered the Filling is as real and distinct and definite a blessing as the regenerating. Many people know the moment of their new birth; they were conscious of the change; so also many know when they were "filled with the Holy Ghost;" it was a blessed, bright, conscious experience, and it is as impossible to argue them out of the one experience as out of the other. On the other
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
1. OLD TESTAMENT. 2. NEW TESTAMENT. 3. THE CHURCH; CHRISTENDOM; KINGDOM. II. THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH. 1. IN PROPHECY AND PROMISE. 2. HISTORICALLY FOUNDED. III. MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH. Conditions of Entrance; Characteristics. 1. REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM. 2. FAITH IN THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST. 3. REGENERATION. 4. PUBLIC CONFESSION OF CHRIST--BAPTISM. 5. ADHERENCE TO THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE. 6. CHARACTERISTICS. IV. FIGURES UNDER WHICH THE CHURCH IS PRESENTED. 1. THE BODY OF CHRIST. 2. THE TEMPLE OF
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace.
"In this rejoice not, that the Spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your Names are written in Heaven." Abundant notice of Christ's coming preceded that interesting' event. "To him gave all the prophets witness." Neither was his entrance here unattended. It was announced by an angelic choir; by a miraculous star; and by a band of eastern magi. The manger which contained him, was particularly pointed out to the shepherds, and his person designated by inspired Simon and Anna. Again,
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Preventive against Backsliding.
It is most instructive to note how exceedingly anxious the early Christians were, that, as soon as a man was converted, he should be "filled with the Holy Ghost." They knew no reason why weary wastes of disappointing years should stretch between Bethel and Peniel, between the Cross and Pentecost. They knew it was not God's will that forty years of wilderness wanderings should lie between Egypt and the Promised Land (Deut. i. 2). When Peter and John came to the Samaritans, and found that they were
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

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