Alexander

A very common Greek name in NT times and at least five individuals by the name may be identified in the New Testament.

1) One of the sons of Simon, the "man from Cyrene . . . [who] was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross" that Jesus struggled to bear on the way to Golgotha (Mk 15:22). We know nothing about this individual but scholars are intrigued by the fact that Mark should reference the father in terms of his two sons, Alexander and Rufus. This suggests that the two sons were better known than the father, so that Mark's audience would recognise him from them. An ossuary was found in 1941 in the Kidron Valley on which was inscribed with words in Greek and Hebrew identifying it as belonging to "Alexander, son of Simon." Additional evidences from the tomb suggest that it belonged to a family of diaspora Jews from Cyrene. It is probable that Mark was acquainted with, or (at the least) knew of, this Alexander and his fame so that it made better sense to identify Simon by his son.

2) A member of "the high priest's family" (Acts 4:6) who was present with Annas the high priest when he interrogated Peter and John for preaching the resurrection of Jesus. Nothing is known about him.

3) A Jew resident of Ephesus who was pushed to the front by his fellow Jews during the confusion of the riots sparked by the silver-smiths in protest against Paul's preaching (Acts 19:33). It may be presumed that his fellow-Jews was hoping he would clear the Jews of any "guilt by association" with Paul. The poor man didn't have a chance for "when they realised he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: 'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!'"

4) A former Christian (together with Hymenaeus) whom Paul "had handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme (1 Tim 1:12). We also know nothing else about him except that he had "shipwrecked" his faith (v19). He and Hymenaeus are mentioned as a warning to Timothy to fight the good fight and hold firm to the faith. Some commentators have suggested that this individual may be the same person as that mentioned in Paul's next letter to Timothy (see below). Unfortunately, Alexander was such a common name, it is impossible to find certainty for the suggestion based on the evidence we have.

5) A metalworker whom Paul claimed had done him "a great deal of harm" (2 Tim 4:14). Paul warns Timothy to beware of him "because he strongly opposed our message" (v15). It is impossible to tell if Paul also intended it to be understood that this Alexander had played some role in the desertiong of him at his "first defence" that he recounts in the next verse. Some commentators have suggested that this individual may be the same person mentioned in in 1 Tim 1:12 (see 4. above). Even if he was it is impossible to be certain based on what is now preserved for us in Paul's letters.