And 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.
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward - rather, 'And 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 themselves of all responsibility for the riot. (Bengel's conjecture, that this was Alexander the coppersmith, 2 Timothy 4:14, has little to support it.)
And Alexander beckoned with the hand (cf. Acts 13:16 ; Acts 21:40 ), and would have made his defense - `wished to speak in defense,' "unto the people."