Discovery BoxActs 19:33 
Context19:33 Some of the crowd concluded 1 it was about 2 Alexander because the Jews had pushed him to the front. 3 Alexander, gesturing 4 with his hand, was wanting to make a defense 5 before the public assembly. 6
Acts 24:10
Context24:10 When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know 7 that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense. 8
Acts 25:16
Context25:16 I answered them 9 that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone 10 before the accused had met his accusers face to face 11 and had been given 12 an opportunity to make a defense against the accusation. 13
1 tn Or “Some of the crowd gave instructions to.”
2 tn 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.
3 tn 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.”
4 tn Or “motioning.”
5 sn 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.
6 tn 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.”
7 tn Grk “knowing.” The participle ἐπιστάμενος (epistamenos) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.
8 sn “Because…defense.” Paul also paid an indirect compliment to the governor, implying that he would be fair in his judgment.
9 tn Grk “to whom I answered.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) has been replaced with a personal pronoun (“them”) and a new sentence started in the translation at the beginning of v. 16.
sn “I answered them.” In the answer that follows, Festus is portrayed in a more positive light, being sensitive to justice and Roman law.
10 tn Grk “any man.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpos).
11 tn Or “has met his accusers in person.”
12 tn Grk “and receives.”
13 tn Or “indictment” (a legal technical term). BDAG 273-74 s.v. ἔγκλημα 1 states, “legal t.t.…ἀπολογία περὶ τοῦ ἐ. defense against the accusation Ac 25:16.” L&N 56.6 defines ἔγκλημα (enklhma) as “(a technical, legal term) a formal indictment or accusation brought against someone – ‘indictment, accusation, case.’ …‘and might receive an opportunity for a defense against the indictment’ Ac 25:16.”
