Acts 19:33

“And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, etc.] Or “some of the multitude brought forth Alexander”; into the theatre, in order to kill him, by casting him to the wild beasts. Some think this is the same with Alexander the coppersmith, who apostatized upon this danger he was exposed to, and became a blasphemer, and a great enemy of the apostle, and did him much evil, (<540120>1 Timothy 1:20, <550414>2 Timothy 4:14). This man, though his name was a Greek name, yet was a Jew, as is expressed in (<441934>Acts 19:34) and from the times of Alexander the great, who was at Jerusalem, this name became common among the Jews; (see Gill on “<440406>Acts 4:6”). The Jews putting him forward; being…”

“they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward--rather, "some of the multitude urged forward Alexander, the Jews thrusting him forward." As the blame of such a tumult would naturally be thrown upon the Jews, who were regarded by the Romans as the authors of all religious disturbances, they seem to have put forward this man to clear them of all responsibility for the riot. (BENGEL'S conjecture, that this was Alexander the coppersmith, Ti2 4:14, has little to support it). beckoned with the hand--compare Act 13:16; Act 21:40. would have made his defence--"offered to speak in defense."”

“And they drew Alexander - Who this Alexander was is not known. Grotius supposes that it was “Alexander the coppersmith, who had in some way done Paul much harm 2 Timothy 4:14; and whom, with Philetus, Paul had excommunicated. He supposes that it was a device of the Jews to put forward one who had been of the Christian party, in order to accuse Paul, and to attempt to cast the odium of the tumult on him. But it is not clear that the Alexander whom Paul had excommunicated was the person concerned in this transaction. All that appears in this narrative is, that Alexander was one who was known to be a Jew, and who wished to defend the Jews from being regarded as the authors of this tumult. It…”

“And they thrust forward - Namely, the artificers and workmen, Alexander - Probably some well - known Christian whom they saw in the crowd: the Jews pushing him on - To expose him to the more danger. And Alexander waving with his hand - In token of desiring silence, would have made a defence - For himself and his brethren. Acts 19:34”

“Alexander: Ti1 1:20; Ti2 4:14 beckoned: Act 12:17, Act 13:16, Act 21:40, Act 24:10; Luk 1:22 his: Act 22:1, Act 26:1, Act 26:2; Phi 1:7 Acts 19:34”